Dow's Reuse of Municipal Wastewater Wins 2008 ICIS Innovation Award

"This innovative water project represents Dow's recognition that sustainable water management is good for our communities, our environment and our bottom line," said Margaret Walker, vice president, Engineering Solutions, Technology Centers and M & E Work Processes. "The award recognizes how Dow is continually seeking to raise the sustainability bar higher, while also addressing society's most pressing issues in areas such as energy and water conservation."

The site uses treated household wastewater to produce high pressure steam and, as recycled water, in its cooling tower. This is the first time that municipal wastewater is being re-used on such a large scale in the industry, exceeding 2.6 million gallons per day. The project is the result of innovative collaboration between Dow, the water treatment provider Evides and the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen Water Board.

"This unique private-public partnership proves that non-traditional wastewater streams can be viable and affordable sources for industrial use and can deliver value to other companies and urban communities where demand for clean water is increasing," Walker said. "In fact, Dow already has begun exploring leveraging ideas from the project to other regions such as the Middle East and China, where water is the most precious commodity."

ICIS Innovation Awards

The U.K.-based ICIS is a global publisher of chemicals information. The ICIS Awards, in their fifth year, are designed to recognize outstanding examples of technical or business innovation in the chemical industry. This is the first year that an award has been given for Corporate Social Responsibility.