PRESS RELEASE
Deinze (Belgium), 24 March 2025, 8.00u CET
Ekopak wishes to provide additional clarification on the status of the Waterkracht project (translated The power of water), a strategic partnership with the overarching goal of providing high-quality cooling water to industrial customers in the port of Antwerp, Belgium.
In this project, Ekopak will assume the role of developer and operator of, and co-investor in, the production facility. Water-link will assume the role of developer and operator of, and co-investor in, the distribution network and effluent transportation network. EPICo² will act as a financial co-investor in the aforementioned infrastructure assets.
The past few months there has been continued hard work on the production facility. An EIA application (Environmental Impact Report) was submitted which represents a crucial milestone, bringing operations and future commercialization closer. Necessary preparations were also made by partners for the pipeline network and an EIA was applied for which will allow the cooling water to be transported to future customers in the future.
In a Confirmation letter signed on September 19, 2024, the various partners confirm (in addition to the actions mentioned above) their common goal to realize this partnership, including in the form of ‘Head of Terms’. These ‘Head of Terms’ will be further refined in good faith according to the realization of the project. It is also agreed that the Head of Terms should be in line with best practices for project financing.
In complex projects and initiatives, it is not unusual for fine-tuning and adjustment to occur as a result of advancing insight as a result of preparatory study work, but the Waterkracht project, as a set of initiatives, has never been off the table.
About Ekopak
Ekopak is a Belgian company that markets circular water solutions. Ekopak’s solutions offer industrial clients the opportunity to significantly reduce their water consumption from the main network in a sustainable, dependable and cost-effective way. Ekopak therefore focuses on optimizing water consumption with modular water treatment units that convert off-grid water sources, such as rainwater, surface water and/or waste water into cleaner water that can be used and reused in clients’ industrial processes.
Ekopak offers its solutions on a global scale and operates worldwide with offices in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Morrocco, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Singapore and the US.
All Ekopak shares are listed on Euronext Brussels (ticker EKOP).
About Waterkracht
Waterkracht is a project initiative between Ekopak, EPICo² and water-link, with Aquafin as a partner. The parties are joining forces to upgrade treated wastewater (=effluent) from Antwerp households into cooling water for companies in the Port of Antwerp. The collaboration is a milestone in the transition to a sustainable port and is a leading example of public-private cooperation.
A new, high-tech cooling water plant to be built will bring 20 billion liters of Aquafin-treated wastewater to the much higher quality level of cooling water on an annual basis.