Circular water management at Sensus

On March 22nd, it is World Water Day. A day that globally raises awareness for the importance of water and its sustainable use. For Sensus, where water is an essential part of the production process, this day is a great opportunity to reflect on the initiatives that contribute to efficient and responsible water use.

Water is a valuable resource, but in many parts of the world, it is increasingly becoming less accessible. In the Netherlands, there is also a growing awareness that high-quality water is becoming scarcer, and that sustainable use is necessary. Koen Stam, Process Technologist at Sensus, observes a slow awakening in society. “Drinking water in the Netherlands is affordable and readily available; people are not yet fully aware of how precious it actually is and how necessary it is to use it sparingly. But the reality is that even in the Netherlands, good water will become increasingly scarce in the future.”

Water reuse at Sensus

At Sensus, high-quality water is indispensable for the production of premium food ingredients. Instead of using water only once, it is reused multiple times within the processes. For example, water used in the first phase of production is purified and then reused for washing roots. Additionally, biogas is produced during the purification process, which serves as an energy source within the factory. "By reusing water wisely, we make the process more efficient and reduce waste," explains Koen.

"By reusing water wisely, we make the process more efficient and reduce waste," explains Koen Stam, Process Technologist

Own water sources and collaboration

Sensus owns its groundwater sources, which is essential for the continuity of production. This also brings responsibility. The province asks companies like Sensus to reduce water usage, and although complete reduction is not feasible, there is active research into more efficient processes. "We constantly investigate how we can improve our processes and use less groundwater.

Future vision: even smarter water management

Sustainable water management requires innovation. An interesting possibility is collaborating with other companies, such as the sugar factory in Dinteloord that evaporates large amounts of water. "The idea of water transport via pipelines over longer distances is becoming more realistic. This could help reduce our groundwater consumption," says Koen.

Although current water prices do not directly encourage such large investments, Sensus sees the importance of thinking ahead. The balance between economic feasibility and sustainable action is a challenge, but we continue to work on innovative solutions.

On World Water Day, we emphasize our commitment to sustainable water use. By using water more efficiently, developing circular processes, and collaborating with other parties, Sensus contributes to a future where water remains available for next generations.

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