Perspectives
Rethinking the Role of Water: Perspectives from Experts at Equans France
Sandrine Cheminaud Director of Development
Caroline Mazzoleni Head of Hydrogen Activities
Experts from Equans France gathered at the Pollutec trade show to discuss a topic that has become strategic: sustainable water management. Due to climate change, growing industrial demands, and pollution, access to a secure water supply is no longer guaranteed.
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How should manufacturers adapt?
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What solutions has Equans France implemented to support this transition?
A look back at a discussion structured around three key areas: challenges, solutions, and outlook.
Why is water becoming a strategic issue?
This pressure surrounding climate issues is leading to high expectations from manufacturers, as well as major regulatory changes, and Equans France is helping them comply with these changes.
What water-related challenges must manufacturers address?
An expert in water treatment points out that the droughts of 2022 and 2023 have brought to light a reality that had previously been underestimated: Tap water is no longer a given.
This situation led to the publication of a set of structural measures:
Two decrees issued in 2024 are particularly important for the agri-food industry. The March 2025 technical note specifies the conditions for water reuse in the agri-food sector
How does Equans France support manufacturers in this water transition (water conservation, innovation, and local synergies)?
The first step is a detailed analysis of consumption before even considering reuse.
In the second phase, when internal cost-saving measures are no longer sufficient, we will implement REUSE (reuse of untreated wastewater) or REUT (reuse of treated wastewater), taking technological constraints into account.
Finally, an approach that is still rarely used but highly relevant: collaboration among industrial companies in the same area.
Mapping of Uses
Identification of Water Volumes and Qualities Used
Comparison of required and actual qualities*
Reuse of internal water (rinsing, process loops, etc.)
*(e.g., softened water vs. reverse osmosis water)
Why does water play a central role in low-carbon hydrogen production?
Hydrogen: Anticipating and Managing Water-Related Challenges
Water is a strategic resource in the production of hydrogen via electrolysis.
At Equans Process Solutions, a brand of Equans France, we are working on decarbonization and low-carbon hydrogen production projects aimed at:
- Replace fossil-based hydrogen in industries such as refining and steelmaking.
- Produce hydrogen derivatives such as synthetic fuels by combining hydrogen with biogenic CO₂ or synthetic fertilizers.
The feasibility of building a facility to produce hydrogen or its derivatives requires not only access to the electricity transmission grid but also a secure supply of water—whether raw or recycled—and, in some cases, large quantities of CO₂ in large quantities.
How is Equans France addressing these water-related challenges?
Increasingly Ambitious Projects
Power plants that produce hydrogen produced by electrolysis that have recently come online have a capacity of between 1 and 5 MW and are primarily dedicated to mobility. Previously, the focus was on small units where water accounted for a limited volume: about 15 liters to produce 1 kg of hydrogen. Today, the market is shifting toward industrial units exceeding 100 MW. The issue of water immediately becomes much more critical.
Our work at Equans Process Solutions, a brand of Equans France, really involves tailoring the design and selecting the right technology. In the hydrogen sector, there are various electrolysis technologies with varying resource requirements.
We take these factors into account starting with the feasibility study phase to propose solutions tailored to the specific context of each project:
Conservation
Minimize water consumption as much as possible.
Industrial Synergies
Pool water needs with other uses on the site.
Closed-loop systems
Minimize losses and optimize cooling.
Supporting manufacturers in the responsible use of water
Equans France now systematically involves experts in water and energy transition from the very beginning of project design.By the time construction begins, it’s too late: the technical decisions have already been made. Water management is therefore becoming an essential pillar of climate change adaptation and industrial performance.
