iWAYS: Innovative Water Recovery Solutions for Resource-Efficient Industries in Three Demonstration Sites

Post date: 
30/01/2026 - 13:54

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Context  

Industry uses large amounts of water and energy, accounting for 40% of total EU water consumption and 25% of final energy consumption (source). 

 

iWAYS: a SPIRE project 

 To address these challenges, a Horizon 2020 project was launched. Funded under a call of SPIRE cPPP (the predecessor of Processes4Planet), iWAYS (full title: Innovative WAter recoverY Solutions through recycling of heat, materials and water across multiple sectors) was an Innovation Action dedicated to transforming the way industrial water is reclaimed, treated, and reused. The project was a continuation of the A.SPIRE October 2024 Success Story, ETEKINA, and continued its journey towards the development of advanced solutions to condense water from exhaust streams, purify it, and reintegrate it into industrial processes, while simultaneously recovering heat and materials. 

 

Goals and Vision

The iWAYS project aimed to create a framework that streamlines the design of customised installations for water recovery and purification. Its vision was built around several key objectives: 

  • Realising closed water loops and substantially reducing freshwater consumption. 

  • Achieving significant reductions in thermal waste and process energy requirements. 

  • Recovering materials by valorising challenging exhaust streams. 

  • Reclaiming, treating, and reusing water in industrial processes. 

  • Utilising alternative water resources, including rainwater harvesting. 

  • Implementing real-time smart monitoring of recycled water and gaseous emissions. 

  • Developing methodologies to identify the most effective industrial synergies. 

  • Accelerating the commercialisation of modular iWAYS solutions. 

Together, these objectives position iWAYS as a catalyst for circular resource management in energy-intensive industries. 

The developed solution was implemented in three full scale prototypes, installed in three industrial demo cases. 

 

The Success Story: Implementation and Potential Impact 

The project reached completion in November 2025, achieving important milestones.  “The aim of the iWAYS Project is the reuse of industrial waters in combination with heat and/or substances in energy and resource intensive industries by developing an innovative Heat Pipe-Based Condensing Economiser and other integrated water-smart strategies. Three full scale prototypes are running in three industrial demo cases. The data for the three demo sites are under evaluation,” the project team informed us.  

However, early results indicate that the innovation demonstrates the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with estimated CO₂-equivalent reductions of: 

  • 10%, preventing approximately 2,582 tonnes per year in demo case 1 

  • 30%, preventing around 2,245 tonnes per year in demo case 2 

  • 30%, preventing about 311 tonnes per year in demo case 3 

The technology also shows substantial potential to reduce wastewater volumes. Current figures suggest recovery rates of: 

  • 1,800 litres per hour (around 10,000 tonnes annually) in demo case 1 

  • 4,000 litres per hour (approximately 33,000 tonnes annually) in demo case 2 

  • 450 litres per hour (about 3,850 tonnes annually) in demo case 3 

Analyses regarding reductions in waste and secondary raw material use are ongoing.  

As process efficiency improves, the industry will flourish. More savings on energy and water will generate more financial capacity for investment. Beyond individual benefits, as untapped resource streams are identified and exploited, it will be possible to upscale. Low grade waste heat for example, while of limited use within the process, can be utilised to heat water, air or used in agriculture. Increased acceptance and adoption of these solutions will not only transfer the advantages of process improvements to other industries, but also citizens and society. SMEs and micro-SMEs will suddenly obtain the capacity to innovate and address issues such as material scarcity and energy security, increasing their growth and creating jobs. 

The consortium includes two SMEs, and 50% of leadership positions are held by women.  

 

The Team’s Angle 

Asked about what makes iWAYS a success story, the team says that the project “integrates state of the art water and heat technologies to develop a novel application that currently is not industrially employed. The iWAYS system is comprised of three main technologies: Exhaust condensation, water treatment and waste valorisation solutions. Each of these systems reveal a high degree of modularity.”  

A.SPIRE considers iWAYS a success story and a forward-looking initiative addressing challenges related to water scarcity, energy efficiency, and industrial emissions. By enabling closed-loop water systems and recovering valuable resources from exhaust streams, the project advances circularity, climate neutrality, and industrial competitiveness. As industries seek resilient and sustainable production models, iWAYS demonstrates how innovation can transform waste into value, helping to shape the future of Europe’s resource-efficient industrial landscape. 

 

Visit the iWAYS project’s website.

For more information about A.SPIRE, the Processes4Planet Partnership, and the Success Stories, contact the team.