The European “Green Deal” (European Commission, 2019) is fundamentally changing the European process industry. Europe aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 and to implement a functioning circular economy. To achieve this, transformation and adaptation in the process industry are essential, particularly in terms of water resource usage. <\/p>\n\n
Industry is one of the main water consumers in Europe, consuming around 40% of the total water abstracted. Water serves as an energy source, product component, carrier medium for raw materials, and cleaning medium. <\/p>\n\n
Water therefore plays a key role, especially in the primary and secondary sectors, and influences downstream value chains.<\/p>\n\n
The discharge of industrial wastewater streams (either as direct discharge into water bodies or as indirect discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants) is associated with a significant water footprint. Wastewater treatment is also associated with high operating costs (e.g., chemicals, energy consumption, etc.). <\/p>\n\n
However, increasing water demand is currently forecast, significantly influenced by climate change. The European Innovation Partnership for Water and the European Water Resources Plan prioritize the reuse of treated wastewater.