One of Europe’s largest industrial water companies – Evides Industriewater – only months after opening a base in the UK – is urging developers building carbon capture plants across the country to take early advice on the amount of water needed to operate and where this can come from.
Evides Industriewater – which has already consulted on some of the Netherlands’ largest such developments – is urging UK developers, through its UK base, to seek early consultation on schemes which are crucial to achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target but which are also incredibly water intensive.
Speaking about carbon capture, the importance of this in hitting Government targets and the need to secure a viable water resource that does not rely on mains connection, Colin Robinson, Business Development Manager at Evides Industriewater UK, said, “We all recognise that the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy laid out very specific plans for carbon capture, usage and storage and the importance of this process in decarbonising all sectors of the UK cannot be underestimated.
“However, what we also need to acknowledge is that the process of carbon capture can be incredibly water intensive and – as the UK seeks to lead the World in carbon capture – we must find alternatives to mains water, which is relatively expensive to produce and distribute.
“That’s why it is absolutely vital that all those involved in developing the carbon capture plants explore alternative and sustainable sources of water, such as ground water or wastewater recycling, which will ensure that Carbon Capture plays a successful role in Net Zero.”
The UK’s five carbon capture hubs are located in Teesside, the Humber, South Wales, Grangemouth and in the North West as part of the region’s Chemical Cluster.
Speaking about Evides Industriewater’s extensive experience delivering carbon capture projects in the Netherlands, Vincent Toussaint, Process and Technology Engineer, added, “There are eight different water and wastewater touchpoints in the carbon capture process. With careful management and recycling of water a carbon capture plant can be neutral in its water use and even generate heat or excess water for use in other parts of the plant.
“Carbon capture is a technology aimed at not only reducing environmental impact, but even improving it and I think we should take every step possible to maximise the many benefits it can bring to industrial regions.”
Evides Industriewater has been operating in Rotterdam since 1968. The company prides itself on providing an entire water cycle for its industrial clients that improves the efficiency of business processes, reduces environmental impact and significantly reduces operational risk.
Evides Industriewater supplies 100.3 million m³ of process water and purifies 98.8 million m³ of wastewater every year.
The company boasts clients including BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, Huntsman and AkzoNobel amongst its extensive customer base and – on behalf of these – Evides Industriewater operates 77 water treatment, wastewater treatment and water reuse plants across Europe.