Fostering Innovation in the Desalination Industry

Practical information

• Composition of the Study Group
• Administrator: Heli Niemelä-Farrer
• Assistant: Sara Raciti
• Contact : E-mail 

Background

As water scarcity increases across Europe, desalination is becoming an increasingly important tool for strengthening water security and diversifying water supplies, particularly in island and coastal regions. Building on the EESC's work on the EU Blue Deal, this own-initiative opinion will examine how innovative desalination technologies can contribute to a sustainable and circular water economy. 

The opinion will explore opportunities linked to the integration of desalination with carbon-free energy sources, water recycling and sodium recovery, while assessing its potential to support industrial competitiveness, resilience and job creation. It will also consider investment needs, skills requirements and synergies with emerging sectors such as sodium-based batteries and critical raw materials. 

It aims to develop policy recommendations that foster innovation, sustainability and strategic autonomy in the European water sector, in line with EU water resilience, circular economy and preparedness objectives.