15 Oct Driving Sustainable Water Solutions: Workshop Highlights
IMR’s Sustainable Water Workshop gathered forward thinking professionals from DECOTEK, Hovione, Janssen Bio, Johnson and Johnson, Lakeland Dairies, Masonite, Taconic International Limited and Uisce Éireann.
On October 10th, Irish Manufacturing Research hosted a sustainable water workshop at our Mullingar facility. The event brought together industry professionals and experts to explore the complexities of water management, share challenges, and discover tailored solutions for improving industrial water systems.
Led by IMR’s Sustainable Manufacturing Water team—Catherine McIntyre, Eva McEnnis, Nial Mullane, and Ariana Pietrasanta—the workshop featured a valuable presentation from Uisce Éireann experts on the Trade Effluent Charging Framework and Asset Planning. This session provided participants with insights on managing trade effluent and optimising long-term water sustainability processes. An engaging Q&A allowed attendees to explore the financial and operational nuances of trade effluent charges and asset planning.
“We found that the hidden costs of water management often go unnoticed in industrial facilities. It is still a challenge to make upper management aware of water’s true value and how adopting a sustainable approach can drive cost reductions. Beyond the cost at the gate, factors like heating, pumping, chemical treatment, filtration, and wastewater processing all add significant costs and are often intrinsically linked to energy costs.” — Catherine McIntyre, Water Technologist.
Key moments from the workshop included an interactive discovery session to identify shared pain points such as water reduction goals and exploring the possibilities of water reuse, followed by a group discussion. The event provided networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with peers and industry experts over coffee and lunch. Additionally, information on funding approaches was provided and attendees were encouraged to foster meaningful conversations and collaborate on solving their water challenges together with IMR.
This workshop served as an importantplatform for industries looking to enhance their water management efforts, aligning with broader sustainability goals. The insights shared, alongside expert guidance from Uisce Éireann, will support participants in taking concrete steps to optimise their water usage.
We extend our sincere thanks to all attendees and contributors for making the event a success. Your engagement is key to advancing sustainable water practices in Ireland’s industrial sectors.
If you would like to learn more or access the materials presented, please reach out to us for more information (sustainablemanufacturing@imr.ie).