Introduction

Worldwide, an estimated nine billion people will live in large urban areas by 2050. Water security for people, industry, and food production is one of the most urgent challenges of our time.

In the Netherlands water technology plays an important role in transforming a linear economy into a circular one. Innovation is key to this transformation. Water technology innovations are driven by a unique collaboration of renowned knowledge institutes, market leaders, start-ups and government in co-creation with international colleagues and experts.

Clean and safe water

We co-create new and inclusive solutions that revolutionise water cycles of industries, cities, agriculture and food production. By transforming a linear supply chain into a circular one, therefore ensuring clean and safe water for future generations. We intensively work on reducing the water footprint, optimising water reuse and recovering raw materials from wastewater with innovative technologies that are practical, efficient, sustainable and cost-effective. To be able to generate and store energy with water extensive knowledge and expertise is being developed and implemented to support the energy transition. A driving force to support the revolution of the water cycle is the use of smart digital solutions for monitoring, detection and management of water systems and infrastructure.

Dutch water technology expertise: Revolutionising the water cycle

The expertise of the Dutch water sector on Water Technology covers the complete water cycle: from source to use and from pre-use treatment to reuse. But here is where our ambitions lie:

  • Ensuring clean and safe water
  • Reuse of water and raw materials
  • Generate and store energy with water
  • Smart solutions for water and infrastructure

The Netherlands: where innovation comes to life

The unique cooperation behind Dutch water technology has led to game-changing innovations for example in large scale membrane technology, anaerobic water treatment, UV filtering, nutrient recovery and ceramic membranes. These innovations are now part of water projects and installations worldwide.

Innovation for the future

A battery that runs on fresh and salt water, pharma filters, high voltage water, modular sludge treatment…We need to be smart and innovative to tackle the water challenges we face together. Where will the next disruptive idea come from? The Netherlands actively seeks and supports start-ups, incubators and test sites.