00:04 Revolutionizing water management for a more circular future
02:21 Challenges and solutions in water management in different sectors
06:57 Groundwater reserves are decreasing, leading to various social, environmental and economic impacts.
09:15 Water footprint calculation helps companies to develop sustainable water management plans.
13:47 The steel industry consumes a significant amount of water and generates wastewater.
16:11 Improving the quality of discharges leads to a significant improvement in the water footprint.
20:26 The importance of water management and the need for technological solutions to achieve circularity.
22:33 Water management is becoming a crucial concern in all sectors.
26:46 Objective to reduce water consumption
28:57 Improving water management for a more circular future
32:58 Industrial symbiosis for resource efficiency and competitiveness
34:59 Industrial partner in Saitasa Aguas Industriales de Tarragona operates a reclaimed water plant and aims to treat and reuse industrial water at the petrochemical complex.
38:59 The ceramic sector has made great progress in the circular management of water resources.
40:44 The Spanish ceramic industry is highly dependent on groundwater.
44:41 Circular water economy implemented in production processes for efficient water use.
46:42 Work on water vapor recovery and generation of alternative water sources.
50:46 The introduction of controlled reclaimed water in the production process of an atomizer results in economic savings.
52:44 Different solutions for water consumption in industrial processes
56:42 Conducting a water audit and identifying intermediate water treatments to reduce water consumption and encourage recirculation.
58:43 Exploration of water quality variations and advanced discharge treatments for circular water management.
1:02:40 Global Omnium manages the integral water cycle and promotes its reuse.
1:04:32 At present, only about 10% of the total water potential is reused, with variations depending on the Spanish territories.
1:08:21 Wetlands serve to improve water quality and valorize waste.
1:10:18 A new European regulation has established minimum quality classes for the use of reclaimed water in agriculture.
1:14:15 The main obstacle to accelerating water circularity is the administrative process and lack of support.
1:16:05 The application of the water reclamation solution faces potential legal challenges to the discharge of the concentrated water.
1:19:41 Challenges with regulations and connections in water infrastructure management.
1:21:33 Reduction of water use and application of rapid measures for exceptional situations.
1:25:43 The organization is working on updating the technology strategy for the next period.
1:27:52 Discussion on funding opportunities and requirements for companies and universities.
1:32:05 This webinar is the first action in the framework of the circular economy forum.
The webinar held on September 19, 2023, entitled "Water and Steel: Revolutionizing Water Management for a More Circular Future," focused on revolutionizing water management practices in the Spanish steel industry. This event, coordinated by Susana Peregrina, general coordinator of Platea, the Spanish steel technology platform, brought together industry experts and leaders to address the pressing issue of water efficiency and explore innovative solutions to mitigate environmental impact. Here is a brief summary of the main conclusions of the webinar:
Introduction and organizational background: Platea, the Spanish steel technology platform, represents the European steel sector, bringing together diverse stakeholders, from technology centers and universities to government agencies and steel producers. The central theme of the event focused on the steel industry's efforts to optimize water use in the framework of a circular economy.
Water efficiency and environmental impact: The significant water consumption of the steel industry and its environmental consequences were highlighted. Participants stressed the importance of going beyond the mere measurement of water volume and considering the water footprint. This metric takes into account water quality, impact on ecosystems and water scarcity, especially in regions facing water resource challenges.
Water management efforts: Industry representatives, including Carlos Sanchez, discussed water management strategies in the steel sector. They addressed challenges and solutions for wastewater treatment, with particular emphasis on the treatment and reuse of industrial wastewater. These measures offer potential cost savings and environmental benefits.
Water reclamation and circular economy: Representatives from the ceramics sector and water management companies shared success stories related to water reclamation and reuse. They highlighted the potential for substantial water savings, reduced energy consumption and economic benefits when water is treated and reused in industrial processes. These discussions highlighted the importance of technology and sustainability practices to promote water reclamation in the context of a circular economy.
The webinar provided a crucial platform to address the challenges of water management in the steel industry and to encourage the sharing of innovative approaches and best practices. It emphasized the need for responsible water management, sustainability practices and technology adoption to move towards a more circular and water-efficient future. Attendees were encouraged to participate in future webinars and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving water efficiency within the industrial sector.
