On 28 July, the iWAYS project held its event as a dedicated symposium at the International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP) conference. Under the title “Water Closed Loop in Industrial Processes”, the symposium brought together experts, researchers, and industry professionals to explore how innovative technologies can transform industrial processes to become more water-smart, energy-efficient, and circular.
Chaired by Andrea Rubini (Water Europe), the session featured insightful contributions from across the iWAYS consortium, alongside industry voices such as Geoff Townsend (Nalco Water, An Ecolab Company).
Highlights included:
🔁 The evolution from ETEKINA’s Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger to the advanced Heat Pipe Condensing Economiser (HPCE)
💡 Development of novel hashtagWaterTreatment and sensor technologies
💻 Smart monitoring and Decision Support Systems enabling real-time process optimisation
🏭 Showcasing three real-world DemoSites in the ceramic, chemical, and steel sectors
We also reflected on the project’s tangible impact:
✅ Up to 60% reduction in freshwater use
✅ Up to 95% water recovery from exhaust streams
✅ Significant gains in energy and resource efficiency
✅ A strong alignment with the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, and the push for mandatory industrial water efficiency assessments
A special thanks to Prof. Hussam Jouhara FREng (Brunel University of London), our Scientific and Technical Director, for leading the technical vision of iWAYS and for presenting the project’s success stories and breakthrough technologies.
We look forward to seeing how these innovations will continue to inform and inspire more sustainable industrial practices across Europe and beyond.
Missed the session? Find the Recording here: