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Optimise water-to-steel efficiency while driving profitability with a strategy that delivers predictive, continuous optimization.
In both integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) mills, water is a key resource in production. In fact, the steel manufacturing industry is one of the largest consumers of water in the world. Regionally specific environmental regulations define limits around energy use, emissions and effluent discharge and the need for microbial control and high quality water make water management a complicated—and highly interconnected—area of your business.
A comprehensive water circularity strategy from Ecolab looks at your entire operation and considers the interdependencies between processes to help you optimise your water use every step of the way. With advanced solutions for water pre-treatment, cooling and boiler tower water, high-quality contact water and effluent and wastewater treatment, we offer the engineering expertise to help you improve water and energy efficiency, product quality and yield in your mills.
Modular Water Circularity Programmes Covering Critical Water Stages
A comprehensive and integrated approach to water operations.
Water Strategy and Advanced Digital Insights
Incoming Water Conditioning and Quality Assurance
Process Water Quality Performance
Thermal and Utility Water Performance
Effluent Quality, Reuse and Compliance
Water Recycling and Materials Recovery
Optimizing Water Interdependencies Throughout a Mill
A: Water, B: Water Pretreatment, C: Effluent Treatment Plant, D: Water Recycling
Integrated and EAF Mills Face Many Challenges
Partner with a company that understands and meets those challenges.
Energy Costs
Water and energy are closely linked in many processes in metal manufacturing such as boiling and cooling towers. A water circularity strategy can maximise water efficiency, helping reduce energy costs.
Effluent/Wastewater Compliance
Avoid costly wastewater treatment systems with a water strategy that considers the downstream impact on effluence at each production step.
Product Quality
High quality steel demands high quality water. Maintaining consistent quality in product water relies on proactive monitoring and advanced chemistries to avoid costly delays or product loss.
Unplanned Downtime
Digital monitoring systems help identify potential problems before they start, reducing downtime and protecting your valuable assets.
Microbial Control
Advanced technologies proactively monitor water conditions and innovative chemistries help control biological growth and maintain efficient operations.
Transforming Business Results with Water Circularity
What value does a water circularity strategy provide for my business?
Water is critical to metal manufacturing operations. A water circularity strategy can help you close the loop on your water use, from pretreatment to rolling and finishing, resulting in measurable value in business outcomes, operational performance, and environmental impact.
Proven Results in High-value Areas:
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Business Outcomes
• Consistent steel quality
• Controlled production changeovers
• Quantified total value delivered
Operational Performance
• Maximized mill uptime
• Efficient heat transfer
• Reliable equipment performance
Environmental Impact
• Increased water and energy use efficiency
• Enhanced effluent reuse
• Improved compliance
Our Strategic Approach to Water Management Help Earn Value
See how we’ve helped our partners achieve their business, financial and sustainability goals.
Closing the Water Loop to Help Deliver Environmental Benefits to ArcelorMittal
Cost-Effective Cooling
Advancing Productivity and Local Sourcing for Tata Steel
Ecolab and CDP Partner on New Benchmarks to Help Companies Improve Operational Water Performance
The Water Use Efficiency Index is a new benchmarking tool designed to help companies measure and improve their operational water performance. The initiative provides clear, sector-specific benchmarks that define best‑in‑class water use and enable companies to compare performance against peers. Turn sustainability data into actionable insights to help accelerate water circularity and improve competitiveness.
Ecolab Unleashes Water Intelligence to Drive Growth in the AI Era
Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ is an AI‑enabled platform designed to help companies better manage water as demand rises in the AI‑driven economy. The platform provides an enterprise‑wide view of water performance by combining site-level data with predictive analytics. This allows steel manufacturers to benchmark usage, identify risks early, and prioritize improvements across facilities.
Midwestern Steel Mill Improves Regulatory Compliance With a Digital Ecosystem That Employs IoT and Real-time Analytics
A U.S. steel mill improved water management and compliance by partnering with Nalco Water to implement IoT sensors and the ECOLAB3D™ digital platform. These tools provide real-time monitoring of ammonia levels in wastewater. The system optimised water recycling, reduced environmental risk and ensured consistent regulatory compliance, helping the plant stay within discharge limits while improving efficiency and lowering its overall water footprint.
Featured Innovations:
3D TRASAR™ Technology for Steel Water
Ecolab® Caster Systems IQ™
Integrating advanced sensor data, ECOLAB3D™ digital insights, automated chemical control, and expert on-site support, Caster Systems IQ helps reduce defects, extend equipment life, and improve overall reliability. Real-time monitoring tracks water quality and system performance across the caster, enabling proactive intervention before problems escalate.
Ecolab® Rolling Mills IQ™
Rolling Mills IQ uses real-time oil and turbidity sensors throughout the cooling circuit to monitor water quality and asset performance. By combining advanced sensor data, ECOLAB3D™ digital insights, automated chemical treatment and on-site expertise, Rolling Mills IQ helps reduce defects, extend asset life and boost reliability.
Water Management Experts
for Nearly a Century
Ecolab has been providing innovative water solutions and expertise for our industrial partners since 1928. Our water management experts help increase the sustainability of operations and, as a result, our partners see exponential return on investment with improvements to efficiency, productivity and water resiliency.