As Water Crisis Looms, European Industries Find Competitive Edge in Circularity

In the face of escalating drought conditions across Europe and stark warnings about water mismanagement, the continent’s industrial sector is being recognized as a critical player in forging a sustainable water future. As experts call for the reuse of the 80% of wastewater currently discarded, innovative projects are demonstrating that industrial circularity is not just an environmental necessity, but a strategic economic advantage.

The challenge for Europe’s water and energy-intensive industries—from chemical production to steel manufacturing—is to transform their operations from linear consumption to closed-loop systems. The emerging paradigm is one of industrial symbiosis, where wastewater is no longer viewed as a liability to be discharged but as a valuable source of recoverable water, energy, and raw materials (feedstock).

This shift promises to enhance competitiveness by reducing operational costs, securing resource supply chains, and future-proofing businesses against climate-related disruptions.

Turning wastewater into a resource is fundamental to solving Europe’s water crisis. For industries, this represents a dual opportunity: to lead on climate action while building a more resilient and profitable business model. The most innovative companies are already proving that circularity and competitiveness go hand-in-hand.

Pioneering this industrial transformation is the EU-funded RESURGENCE project. With a consortium of 20 partners, RESURGENCE is developing and implementing “Seeds of Hubs for Circularity” (S4C), nascent industrial ecosystems designed to maximise water recirculation and resource recovery. Through case studies, including an ambitious urban-industrial symbiosis project in Spain, RESURGENCE is creating a blueprint for how industries can thrive by achieving climate neutrality, circularity, and enhanced competitiveness.