Ecolab and Moeve Cut Freshwater Use by 39% at San Roque Energy Park

Ecolab and Moeve have reported a 39% reduction in freshwater extraction at Moeve’s San Roque Energy Park in southern Spain, following the deployment of a circular water management system designed to recycle and reuse industrial wastewater.

The project, located near Gibraltar in Cádiz, forms part of Moeve’s wider effort to reduce freshwater withdrawals in water-stressed areas and strengthen the resilience of its industrial operations. According to Ecolab, the system can recycle up to 1.2 million cubic metres of water per year, equivalent to 317 million gallons. The initiative uses membrane treatment, ultrafiltration, specialised chemistry, and digital monitoring to convert treated effluent into a reusable water stream for industrial processes.

For energy, chemical, and refining operations, water is not only an environmental issue. It is a core operational resource. Industrial sites depend on reliable water supplies for cooling, processing, treatment, cleaning, and safety systems. In regions facing drought risk and increasing competition for freshwater, reducing dependence on local water sources can help protect production continuity while limiting pressure on communities and ecosystems.

A Circular Approach to Industrial Water

Moeve’s San Roque Energy Park is a hub for refining, chemical, and biofuel production. These activities are typically water-intensive, making the site a practical example of how heavy industry can use water reuse to reduce exposure to drought and regulatory pressure.

The system developed with Ecolab is based on recovering water that would previously have been treated as a waste stream. Through ultrafiltration, membrane technologies, and chemical treatment, wastewater and effluent are purified to a quality suitable for reuse in the facility’s operations. This reduces the need for external freshwater intake and supports more circular resource management inside the plant.

Ecolab also deployed its 3D TRASAR technology, a digital monitoring platform that tracks water quality, flow, and system performance in real time. The technology helps operators adjust treatment conditions and manage risks such as corrosion, scaling, and biofouling. For industrial sites, this type of monitoring is important because water reuse systems must remain stable and reliable under changing operating conditions.

The project has delivered estimated annual savings of €703,000 and reduced chemical commodities consumption by 600 metric tonnes, according to Ecolab’s case study. Ecolab also reports that the results are based on data collected from January to December 2025, with outcomes specific to the San Roque facility.

Why the Project Matters for Water-Stressed Regions

The project comes as water resilience becomes a growing concern for Europe’s industrial and energy sectors. The European Environment Agency has warned that climate change is expected to increase seasonal fluctuations in water availability, with droughts becoming more frequent, intense, and damaging. Southern Europe is particularly exposed to water stress, making industrial water efficiency a practical adaptation measure as well as a sustainability priority.

Water reuse is increasingly recognised by European policymakers as one way to reduce pressure on freshwater bodies. The European Commission states that treated wastewater can provide a safe and predictable alternative supply when properly managed, while extending the life cycle of water resources and supporting climate adaptation.

For companies operating in sectors such as refining, chemicals, biofuels, green hydrogen, and power generation, this has direct business relevance. Low-carbon industrial projects can still require significant water inputs. Without careful water planning, decarbonization investments may increase demand on already stressed local water systems. Moeve’s project shows one route to separating industrial growth from rising freshwater consumption.

Part of Moeve’s Wider Water Strategy

Moeve, formerly Cepsa, has placed water management within its Positive Motion strategy and its circular economy objectives. In January 2026, the company said it had reduced freshwater withdrawal in water-stressed areas in Spain by 21% compared with 2019, exceeding its previous 20% reduction target. The company said this equated to 3.3 million cubic metres less freshwater withdrawn in 2025 compared with 2019.

The target covers Moeve’s industrial sites in Palos de la Frontera in Huelva, San Roque in Cádiz, and Tenerife. After meeting the initial target, Moeve set a new goal to reduce annual freshwater withdrawal by 25% by 2028 compared with 2019 levels. The company has also expanded the scope of the target to include future green molecule projects and industrial parks outside Spain, including Brazil, Canada, and China.

Moeve has also pointed to other water-related projects, including its new reuse plant in San Roque and improvements to the liquid effluent treatment plant at La Rábida Energy Park. The company has created a Water Management Committee to coordinate water efficiency, innovation, and operational improvements across its activities.

Implications for Industry and Net-Zero Transitions

The San Roque project is relevant beyond a single industrial site. As energy companies invest in lower-carbon fuels, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, and chemical process improvements, water use will become a more visible part of transition planning. Investors, regulators, and local communities are increasingly likely to assess whether new low-carbon projects are also compatible with local water availability.

Circular water systems can help address that challenge, but they require more than treatment equipment. Successful deployment depends on site-specific water balances, real-time monitoring, maintenance, chemical management, operational training, and clear performance targets. Industrial operators also need to assess the quality and reliability of reused water streams, particularly where they are used in critical cooling or production systems.

For sustainability teams, the project illustrates the growing connection between water stewardship, operational resilience, and decarbonization. Freshwater reduction can lower environmental risk, support permitting discussions, reduce dependence on external supply, and help facilities adapt to drought conditions. At the same time, companies must be careful to report results transparently, including baselines, boundaries, data periods, and whether savings refer to withdrawals, consumption, recycling capacity, or actual reuse.

Ecolab and Moeve’s collaboration demonstrates how water reuse can move from a compliance or conservation measure to a core industrial resilience strategy. In water-stressed regions, that shift is likely to become increasingly important as climate change, industrial demand, and energy transition investments place new pressure on freshwater resources.

Source: sustainabilitymag.com