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Beyond Technology: What Works, What Fails, and How to Scale Multi-Stream Industrial Water Reuse and Resource Recovery

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  • Eleonora Santos

    (CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    Centre of Applied Research in Management and Economics, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

Abstract

Industrial water reuse and resource recovery are essential for advancing circular economy principles in water-intensive industries. Despite technological maturity, large-scale implementation continues to lag due to high costs, effluent variability, integration challenges, and weak economic returns. Going beyond technology, this paper critically examines what truly works at scale, why most systems fail, and how to build resilient multi-stream recovery solutions. Drawing on major European demonstration projects (INCOVER, RESURGENCE, MEloDIZER) and recent literature, the paper demonstrates that multi-stream systems significantly outperform single-resource approaches. Success depends less on individual technologies and more on modular design, digital integration, sector-specific adaptation, and supportive governance. The study introduces the Industrial Circular Performance Framework (ICPF) and provides clear, actionable pathways to move from promising pilots to bankable, resilient circular industrial water systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Santos, 2026. "Beyond Technology: What Works, What Fails, and How to Scale Multi-Stream Industrial Water Reuse and Resource Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:13:p:6398-:d:1973849
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