FutureWaterCampus – A Boost for Water Research in North Rhine-Westphalia

With the FutureWaterCampus (FWC), a state-of-the-art research building is being constructed at the University of Duisburg-Essen that will take water research in North Rhine-Westphalia to a new level. In the future, experts in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and medicine will work together with industry partners on key future challenges related to water as a resource—ranging from algae research and membrane-based purification processes to photocatalysis and new approaches to clean water. The new building comprises three sections: the Knowledge Hub for scientific exchange, continuing education, and open dialogue with the general public; the test facility for large-scale plants, designed to collaboratively scale up research results from the laboratory to an industrial scale; and the think tank as a venue for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.  

Research, development, and inter- and
transdisciplinary exchange

As a center of excellence in water, the FutureWaterCampus brings together research, development, and innovation. This includes

• the involvement of industry partners from the water sector in research, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),  
• the development and testing of new technologies for water treatment, monitoring, and use, 
• interdisciplinary research programs that combine basic research in the natural sciences with engineering applications, 
• the integration of social science perspectives to ensure that sustainable solutions are socially acceptable, 
• regional and European networking with research institutions, companies, and local governments. 

Through this broad focus, the FutureWaterCampus makes a significant contribution to developing sustainable solutions for challenges in water management—such as water scarcity, , competition for water use, strengthening the resilience of water management systems, water pollution, and increasing demands on drinking water production.  

A Strong Catalyst for Sustainable
Water Technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia

The FutureWaterCampus helps position North Rhine-Westphalia as a high-performing hub for innovative environmental and water technologies. Its impact is multifaceted: It promotes new scientific insights, sparks innovation among companies in the water sector, and provides solutions to key environmental and health issues. Across Europe, the FutureWaterCampus generates new momentum through its international reach and diverse research collaborations. In this way, the project makes a long-term contribution to a safe, sustainable, and resilient water management system—in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.