Nobian’s Delfzijl site is hosting an innovative pilot project in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (WUR). The three-month trial aims to test membrane distillation technology under real-world conditions, opening the door to new sustainable solutions for both partners.

Hydrogen from seawater
WUR’s primary goal is to demonstrate that hydrogen can be produced using seawater. In earlier small-scale tests on Texel, the concept proved successful. The process generates two valuable outputs: ultra-clean distilled water and brine. The current pilot seeks to confirm that this pure water can be used in hydrogen production, creating a pathway for greener energy.

Upgrading salty waste streams
Nobian is leveraging the same setup to tackle a different challenge: upgrading a salty waste stream from the chlorine plant. By removing as much water as possible through distillation, the aim is to create saturated brine, up to 310 grams of salt per liter. Achieving this would enable reuse of the stream in the salt plant, reducing waste and closing resource loops.

Double sustainability impact
This approach delivers a “double sustainable” benefit: reusing a salty stream that would otherwise be discharged and utilizing residual heat from existing processes. Membrane distillation is particularly suited for low-grade heat, making the pilot highly energy-efficient. For WUR, residual heat from hydrogen electrolysis could further enhance efficiency, while Nobian can tap into unused site heat.

Though small in scale, the pilot represents a significant step toward innovative, circular solutions that combine resource recovery with energy efficiency: key pillars of Nobian’s sustainability strategy.