SUEZ and Salinity Solutions Launch Industrial Pilot of Advanced Reverse Osmosis Technology for High-Efficiency Water Reuse in France

SUEZ and Salinity Solutions Launch Industrial Pilot of Advanced Reverse Osmosis Technology for High-Efficiency Water Reuse in France

(IN BRIEF) SUEZ and Salinity Solutions have launched the first industrial pilot of Hybrid Batch Reverse Osmosis technology for municipal wastewater reuse at the Béziers wastewater treatment plant in France. The system, based on Salinity Solutions’ HyBatch™ technology, significantly improves water recovery rates to between 90% and 95%, surpassing conventional reverse osmosis performance. It also reduces energy consumption, chemical usage, and brine production, resulting in lower operating costs and improved sustainability. Supported by ADEME, the pilot demonstrates the potential of this advanced treatment method to address water scarcity challenges and expand the use of water reuse solutions across municipal and industrial sectors. The initiative highlights a scalable and efficient approach to preserving water resources in the face of growing environmental pressures.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 24-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — SUEZ, in partnership with Salinity Solutions, has initiated the first industrial-scale pilot of Hybrid Batch Reverse Osmosis (HBRO) technology for municipal wastewater reuse at the Béziers wastewater treatment plant.

The pilot project introduces Salinity Solutions’ HyBatch™ system in combination with SUEZ’s operational expertise, marking a significant step forward in improving water recovery rates while reducing environmental impact. Designed to operate under real-world conditions, the facility has a treatment capacity of 100 cubic meters per day and is supported by ADEME.

At the core of the initiative is HyBatch™, a patented piston-driven pressure exchange technology that allows brine to be recirculated multiple times during the treatment process. This innovation enables significantly higher recovery rates—between 90% and 95% of treated water—compared to conventional reverse osmosis systems, which typically achieve up to 85%.

The system also minimizes scaling within membranes, reduces the need for chemical cleaning, and extends equipment lifespan. These improvements contribute to lower operational costs and reduced energy consumption, making advanced reverse osmosis solutions more accessible for both municipal and industrial applications.

By limiting brine discharge and decreasing reliance on chemical reagents, the HBRO process offers a more sustainable approach to wastewater treatment. This is particularly relevant as regions worldwide face increasing water stress due to climate change and disruptions in natural water cycles.

The Béziers pilot represents a practical response to these challenges, demonstrating how next-generation technologies can enhance water reuse efficiency while maintaining economic viability. Beyond municipal wastewater, the solution also shows potential for treating surface water and brackish water sources.

Through this collaboration, SUEZ and Salinity Solutions aim to accelerate the deployment of scalable, energy-efficient water reuse systems. The project underscores the importance of innovation in safeguarding water resources and supporting long-term sustainability goals for both public authorities and industrial users.

About SUEZ:

Faced with growing environmental challenges, SUEZ has been delivering essential services that protect and improve our quality of life for more than 160 years. SUEZ provides its customers with innovative and resilient solutions for water and waste services. With 40,000 employees across 40 countries, the Group works with customers to create value over the full lifecycle of their assets and services, and to drive their low carbon transition. In 2025, SUEZ provided drinking water for 67 million people worldwide and sanitation services for 36 million people. The Group generated 8.7 TWh of energy from waste and wastewater. In 2025, SUEZ generated revenues of 9.5 billion euros.

For more information: www.suez.com

About Salinity Solutions:

Salinity Solutions addresses two of the biggest challenges facing humanity: water and energy. Born from the University of Birmingham in 2021, the company has developed HyBatch a groundbreaking batch purification technology that delivers water recovery up to 98%, uses up to 50% less energy than traditional methods, without the use of chemical pre-treatment. Its patented, commercially scalable system has been described as the most significant advance in RO water treatment in 50 years, with applications ranging from industrial wastewater treatment and resource recovery to rural drinking water supply. Salinity Solutions was voted Breakthrough Technology of the Year at the 2025 Global Water Awards.

More information: www.salinitysolutions.co.uk

Media Contacts:

SUEZ Press Office

Email: suez.media@suez.com
Tel: +33 6 32 18 39 54

Salinity Solutions

Philippa Henderson
Email: Philippa.henderson@salinitysolutions.co.uk

SOURCE: SUEZ