On Monday 3rd of February, Ecolab and Water Europe co-organised the Antwerp Dialogue on Water that brought together leading EU decision-makers to address the future of EU industrial water management.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the undeniable role that water plays in European competitiveness and decarbonization. Every industrial process depends on water, making it a critical and finite resource that must be managed wisely to ensure sustainability and economic resilience. A central theme was the interconnection between water, energy, and productivity, which must be embedded in all relevant policies, including the Clean Industrial Deal. Recognizing and integrating the Water-Energy-Biodiversity nexus into decision-making will be essential for maintaining a competitive and sustainable industrial sector in the EU.
Governance and visibility are key for industrial actors. They need confidence in regulatory frameworks and access to harmonized, aggregated data to unlock investment, including in research and innovation. A transparent and predictable policy environment will drive investment in sustainable water management solutions, reinforcing the EU’s industrial strength. While technology already exists to enhance water resilience, its large-scale adoption requires substantial public and private funding. Accelerating these investments is crucial to securing Europe’s long-term industrial and environmental sustainability.
The upcoming Water Resilience Strategy, and Clean Industrial Deal should recognise the socio-economic value for Europea of investing in water for its industrial policy. Integrating water considerations into these frameworks will be vital to fostering a water-smart and competitive Europe.
