“The CWP is one of the largest water clusters in the world and has a large number of companies and researchers that can contribute to face future challenges”
Jordi Cros, President of the Catalan Water Partnership
Sustainable water sector in Catalonia sees 74% growth, surpassing €8.7 billion in five years
28 Nov 2024
The business volume of Catalan sustainable water companies grew 74% in 5 years, reaching €8.7B (3% of GDP). The sector includes 638 companies and 26,794 jobs, contributing significantly to the Catalan economy.
Catalan companies linked to sustainable water use have seen their business volume rise by 74% in the past five years, reaching €8.7 billion, representing 3% of the region’s GDP.
The sector comprises 638 companies employing 26,794 individuals, as detailed in the "Report on the Sustainable Water Use Sector in Catalonia (.PDF)," produced by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the agency for business competitiveness, in partnership with the Catalan Water Partnership (CWP), the Catalan water cluster.
The sustainable water sector integrates activities and technologies aimed at managing, distributing, and utilizing water resources efficiently and environmentally responsibly. These include companies developing water treatment, purification, and reuse technologies, recovering value-added products present in this element, and optimizing water management in high-use sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services.
The industry’s value chain in Catalonia is segmented into three main categories: the largest being companies developing products and solutions for the complete water cycle (51.7%), followed by knowledge-intensive services such as engineering and laboratories (29.5%), and finally, operational service providers (18.8%).
The sector’s maturity is evidenced by nine out of ten firms operating for over a decade. Furthermore, 64% of these businesses employ more than ten staff. The sector is heavily concentrated in the province of Barcelona (70% of companies) and benefits from a significant support ecosystem, including the CWP, various tech centers and universities performing research, and sector-relevant global trade fairs like the Smart City Expo.
Globally, the report underlines the sustained growth for companies working in sustainable water use, with a growth of 14% between 2018 and 2023, reaching €880.2 billion, with projections of €1.2 trillion by 2031. This expansion is driven by population growth, intense urbanization, and industrial production requiring high water consumption, leading to greater demand for sustainable water practices. It is also worth noting that the industry is closely linked to public spending, given that it represents 85.5% of global expenditure done by public administrations.
The ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment study also emphasizes the sector's role in the context of climate change and emergencies normally connected to drought conditions. Along these lines, it says that innovations such as efficient irrigation systems and soil moisture monitoring are critical for reducing water use in agriculture while maintaining productivity thanks to advanced watering management and monitoring of soil humidity. Additionally, there is a pressing need to modernize urban water infrastructure and enhance industrial water reuse systems.
Key challenges for the sector are pointed out, including implementing climate adaptation strategies and integrating digital solutions such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things into water management networks.
IX Strategic Immersion of the Catalan Water Partnership
The report was presented during the IX Strategic Immersion of the Catalan Water Partnership. The event, organized by the Catalan water cluster, representing over 160 members, gathered approximately 200 water-related companies, organizations, and research institutions. It serves as an annual forum for the sector’s key players to discuss trends and future challenges related to water.
During the event, CWP President Jordi Cros underscored that “recent droughts have elevated water as a priority in the political agenda and across all economic sectors.” He also stated that the latest floods “have confirmed that climate change makes action essential to minimize its effects on the water sector. In upcoming years, it will be necessary to implement the forecasted infrastructures and to stay committed to new investments aimed at the challenges identified in the study.”
Cros concluded by stressing that “we cannot ignore the investment in R&D and in water innovation, essential to allow us to face future challenges.” Along these lines, he added, “the CWP is one of the largest water clusters in the world and has a large number of companies and researchers that can contribute to this.”
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