project

Resource Recovery

In a world facing increasing resource demands, supply chain constraints, and dependence on critical raw materials, resource recovery is becoming essential for building resilient and sustainable economies. Resource recovery technologies help reduce waste, strengthen supply chains, create economic value, and support climate and circular economy objectives. At KWR, we conduct research across drinking water, industrial water, and wastewater systems to recover valuable resources from residual and waste streams. By transforming waste into resources, we help reduce reliance on virgin materials, lower energy consumption, and accelerate the transition towards a circular and climate-resilient water sector. 

Discovering New Opportunities in the Drinking Water Sector 

Drinking water production not only yields clean water but also generates residual streams containing metals, gases, minerals, and organic compounds. These streams hold untapped economic and environmental value. Our experts develop innovative value chains to unlock and capitalise on these opportunities.  

For example, lime pellets generated during water softening can be used in glass production, feedstock, or fertilisers. Iron sludge streams can be repurposed into circular flocculants for wastewater treatment or pelletised to removal of contaminants such as phosphate, hydrogen sulphide, and arsenic. We also explore innovative possibilities, such as using iron powders to generate electricity as a cleaner alternative to coal-fuelled power plants. Additionally, concentrate streams produced by membrane-aided water treatment not only contain valuable minerals but also offer clean water, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Resource recovery delivers multiple benefits, including new revenue streams, reduced operational costs, and the production of compliant effluent or water suitable for applications like greenhouse irrigation. Beyond identifying uses for residual streams, KWR develops, tests, and scales up their resource recovery solutions, empowering drinking water companies with cutting-edge research and practical experience. 

Transitioning Towards Resource Recovery Facilities 

Treating domestic and industrial wastewater is essential for protecting public health and safeguarding the environment. Increasingly, wastewater treatment plants are evolving into resource recovery facilities that recover valuable resources from wastewater and sludge streams.  

At KWR, our experts develop and optimise value chains for the recovery of resources such as phosphorus, nitrogen, manganese, cellulose, and energy from municipal wastewater. Through innovative technologies, wastewater and sludge can be transformed into valuable products, renewable energy, and reusable resources, contributing to a more circular and sustainable economy.  

To accelerate innovation and implementation, KWR and its partners developed the Resource Maturity Index, a tool that helps water utilities assess, prioritise, and advance resource recovery opportunities. By combining scientific expertise with practical application, KWR supports water utilities in unlocking the full potential of wastewater as a source of valuable resources, energy, and circular solutions. 

Supporting Industries in Meeting Sustainability Targets 

KWR experts focus on identifying and unlocking resource recovery opportunities within industrial water systems. As water scarcity increases and abstraction permits become more restrictive, the need for water efficiency, water conservation, and water reuse solutions continues to grow. 

Concentrated and residual streams generated during industrial water treatment are increasingly recognised as valuable sources of chemicals, metals, salts, energy, and other resources. KWR helps industries explore and realise this potential through innovative technologies and circular approaches. 

By reusing process water and recovering valuable resources from wastewater streams, industries can reduce water consumption, lower costs, strengthen resource security, and improve sustainability performance while maintaining product quality and productivity. These approaches can also support regulatory compliance and help secure an industry’s licence to operate in an increasingly resource-constrained and environmentally conscious world.