Reflections from AquaTech 2025

From March 11-14, KWR researchers have attended AquaTech Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading exhibitions for process, drinking & wastewater. Over 25,000 water professionals from all over the world attended to meet other water professionals, expand their knowledge, discover new technologies, and visit market leaders and start-ups. Some of our colleagues were present at this big event. In this blog you can read their reflections on the succesful AquaTech exhibition.

Nutrients, Networks, and New Horizons

by Kees Roest

At AquaTech, there was a nice session at the Industrial & Corporate Water World: Circular water reuse session. Several interesting presentations about resource recovery from different industrial and municipal wastewater streams took place. Recovery of water from industrial process water treatment for agricultural use, bioplastic production from wastewater treatment, nitrogen recovery from fertilizer production and as KWR we presented the so called KNAP-project about Closing the Nutrients cycle from Wastewater and Process Water. In this presentation we focused mainly on the agro-food processing companies. Nowadays, aerobic biomass from agri-food is incinerated, while it should be treated like other organic waste streams that can be reused.

As part of the Partners for International Business (PIB) – Blue Horizon Initiative, several challenges and solutions were presented at AquaTech as well. This PIB public-private partnership (PPP) unites leading Dutch water technology companies and institutions, including KWR, to collaborate with Mexico in achieving the countries’ ambitions for water. Our mission is clear: to strengthen the partnership between the Netherlands and Mexico, combining Dutch expertise and Mexico’s local knowledge to enhance water access, quality, infrastructure, and wastewater management.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

by Johann Poinapen

Another fruitful day at Aquatech, filled with meaningful engagements with international delegations—both familiar partners of KWR and new connections eager to collaborate. Our discussions reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the many water challenges faced by water utilities and stakeholders worldwide. One of the day’s highlights was our colleague, Bram Hillebrand, impressing the Taiwanese delegation with KWR’s expertise in smart pipeline networks and modelling. The enthusiasm and positive response from delegations reinforce our shared commitment to driving water innovation and resilience.

As we continue to build strong partnerships, we recognise that tackling global water challenges requires a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and knowledge exchange.

We are excited about the growing interest in collaboration with KWR, and we look forward to working together in shaping a water-wise world. Stay tuned for more updates!

TKI Water Technology at AquaTech

by Aleida Hommes

At the invitation of the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), one of the coordinators of TKI Water Technology, I had the opportunity to present several inspiring projects in which KWR is involved as a knowledge institution. This took place in the speaker zone of the Innovation Hub at Aquatech. There were two TKI projects featured that illustrate well how TKI Water Technology stimulates and facilitates Dutch innovation and development:

• Natural viruses for membrane plant integrity monitoring 
• Rapid detection of faecal contamination in swimming water

It was great to see that many technology partners from our TKI water technology projects were present at Aquatech, a good time to catch up and sample the latest state of innovation. We look forward to continuing these collaborations.