CHERISH2O is a collaborative project focused on circular water use in the chemical industry at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. It aims to enable large-scale purification and reuse of industrial wastewater as process water, reducing freshwater intake and improving resilience to drought while safeguarding regional water resources.
The initiative brings together the port authority, research organizations, industry associations, public agencies, and consulting partners, with participation from chemical producers operating in the port cluster. Activities include mapping water demand and discharge, identifying synergies between industrial sites, assessing purification technologies, and piloting treatment solutions. The project also evaluates environmental impacts, regulatory considerations, and viable business models for cross-company water reuse. CHERISH2O supports broader climate adaptation and resource-efficiency objectives by advancing practical pathways for industrial water recycling in a major European chemicals hub.