ULTIMATE promotes Water Smart Industrial Symbiosis by treating wastewater as a valuable resource for water, energy and material recovery. Through nine demonstration sites in Europe and the Mediterranean, it recovers reusable water, extracts high-value compounds and fosters collaboration among industries, utilities and regulators to enable circular water management (2020-2024).
ULTIMATE – Industrial Symbiosis for Water, Energy and Material Use in Process Industries
The ULTIMATE project (Industry Water-Utility Symbiosis for a Low-Carbon Economy) aims to demonstrate innovative solutions for the sustainable management of water, energy, and materials in process industries through industrial symbiosis. The project focuses on closing resource loops by promoting the reuse and recovery of water, waste heat, and valuable substances across industrial sectors.
ULTIMATE develops and implements integrated symbiosis schemes at large industrial sites, combining advanced technologies with systemic approaches to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The project particularly addresses water scarcity and energy consumption by enabling circular use of water resources and valorisation of industrial residual streams.
Through multiple large-scale demonstration cases across Europe, ULTIMATE validates the technical, environmental, and economic benefits of water-smart industrial symbiosis solutions. The project also tackles regulatory, organisational, and market barriers, supporting the transition towards a circular, resource-efficient, and climate-neutral European industry aligned with the European Green Deal.