Chemical companies want to save millions of litres of drinking water by switching to dockwater from Antwerp port

Antwerp, 27 November 2020 – Essencia - A new desalination plant to be built in the port of Antwerp will pump up dock water from starting at the beginning of 2024 and convert it into high-quality process water for the chemical sector. As a result, chemical companies no longer have to use drinking water from the Albert Canal for certain production processes. This would already save millions of liters of drinking water per year during the start-up phase. AVAIO has concluded a letter of intent with Covestro to build the water plant on the chemical company's premises. The plant will also supply neighboring Evonik via a pipeline and is envisaged that other chemical companies will be able to join it.

In the chemical sector, water is a crucial link in the production processes. Drinking water is mainly used as a necessary raw material, but also for steam production or as cooling water to ensure the safety of the installations. With the construction of a new water plant in the port of Antwerp, industrial companies no longer have to use drinking water from the Albert Canal, but can switch to water from the port docks.

Chemical companies Covestro and Evonik are the first to participate in this ambitious infrastructure project of investment company AVAIO, headquartered in New York, which works closely with the international group AECOM. The company plans to build a desalination plant that will pump, desalinate and purify brackish dock water into process water. The water factory will be located on the Covestro industrial sites and will also supply Evonik via a new pipeline along the Scheldelaan.

The new water plant will convert water from the Channel Dock B1, left in the aerial view above the Lillo Bridge, into process water for chemical companies Evonik (in the foreground) and Covestro (in the background).

98% less drinking water

As a result, Covestro and Evonik can reduce their drinking water consumption by as much as 98%. Together, they achieve an annual water saving equal to the average drinking water consumption of about 35,000 households. In addition, it is possible to expand the water plant even further – and the associated drinking water savings. The initiators are in negotiations with other companies and in consultation with Port of Antwerp.

Quality and environmental benefits

The conversion of dock water to process water not only reduces the pressure on the drinking water supply but also offers quality and environmental benefits. For example, the salt load, or concentration of minerals, of process water is 5 times lower than of drinking water. Because the water contains less salt, it is better suited for chemical installations. This means less water use, less wastewater and fewer chemicals for water treatment.

AVAIO and AECOM want to start applying for the necessary permits early next year and expect to start construction of the plant by mid-2022. It should be operational two years later, in 2024. AVAIO and AECOM aim to run the desalination plant on green power. The water plant is also equipped with the right technology to reuse used wastewater at a later stage and thus has the potential to close the industrial water cycle.

Frank Beckx, managing director essenscia flanders, sector federation of chemistry and life sciences: "Chemical and pharmaceutical companies have already significantly reduced the consumption of drinking and groundwater over the past ten years, with an efficiency increase of no less than 35%. So we produce more with less water. With this unique project, the chemical sector is once again reducing drinking water consumption, fully in line with the ambitions of the Flemish government's Blue Deal.".”

Georg Wagner, Managing Director Covestro Antwerp: "We like to make our business premises available to make this sustainable water solution possible. As a company, we are fully committed to sustainability and this project also fits perfectly into our vision to make our operation fully circular. The cooperation with other chemical companies also illustrates how strongly the chemical sector in Antwerp is integrated and connected.".”

Ivan Pilgrims, managing director Evonik Antwerp: "It is a logical step in our sustainability policy to no longer use drinking water but process water in our production processes. In this way, in times of increasing drought, we put less pressure on the drinking water supply for the population. Moreover, the industry itself comes up with a solution through its own financing, at no cost to the public drinking water company."

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp: "We support this initiative because it is in line with our focus on sustainable water use and the closure of water cycles between companies in the port of Antwerp. Port of Antwerp opts for an integrated approach with an eye for social, environmental and economic interests. In this way, too, we want to be a leader for a sustainable future. " (1)

Gert Vermeiren, Managing Director AECOM: "This project has been preceded by years of preparation. We strongly believe in this initiative because it offers so many benefits for society, the environment and the economy. With this water factory we are introducing a new sustainable water source, which increases the security of supply of the industrial water supply. In this way we anticipate the drought problems and more drinking water is available for the families.".”

Mark McComiskey, partner at AVAIO: "The global need for new resilient and sustainable solutions to combat water scarcity is an important focus for our team. We are therefore delighted to be able to work with industry companies of world renown and important local partners to alleviate the water scarcity in the Antwerp region."