During the period from October 25th to 31th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Pryce to build three ASUs across the Philippines
Philippine industrial gas company Pryce plans to build one Air Separation Unit (ASU) each in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each unit costs approximately $34.4 million and will produce oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, with completion within three years. This move aims to strengthen local production capacity and help the company become the largest industrial gas enterprise in the Philippines within three years. Demand growth is driven by the LNG transition, power generation, and industrialization.
2. Dutch port plans to convert LNG carrier into import terminal
Dutch LNG operator EemsEnergyTerminal and Belgian shipping group Exmar plan to convert a large LNG carrier into a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) import terminal, to be deployed at the Port of Eemshaven. The project will extend the original terminal's operational period until 2036, providing approximately 190,000 cubic meters of LNG storage capacity, aiding European energy supply diversification and security. Subsequent modifications are also planned to handle green hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
3. EU agrees Russia LNG import ban as US starts sanctions
The EU has adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which will phase out imports of Russian liquefied natural gas: short-term contracts must be terminated within six months, and long-term contracts will become invalid from January 2027. The US simultaneously sanctioned Russian oil companies and firms like Lukoil. Russian gas currently still accounts for 13% of EU imports. This move aims to weaken Russian energy revenues and strengthen European energy security.
4. Eastern Brazil state opens first biomethane facility as sector grows
The eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has inaugurated its first biomethane facility, built by local biogas company Zeg Biogas in partnership with sugarcane producer Bioenergética Aroeira. Concurrently, the Biorota BR-050 project was launched to connect renewable energy producers and consumers within the region. Driven by the 2024 "Future Fuel Law" and other factors, Brazil's biomethane sector is developing rapidly. The country currently has 35 plants, facing challenges related to supply-demand balance and costs, but this number is expected to grow to 200 by 2032.
5. Veolia to operate Chile's first municipal and industrial desalination plant in Valparaiso
Veolia has won the operation and maintenance contract for the Aguas Pacífico desalination plant in Valparaíso, Chile. The plant is the country's first facility with both municipal and industrial water supply functions, with a capacity of 1,000 liters per second. The contract includes commissioning support and the O&M phase, initially for 4 years and extendable until 2040. The plant runs entirely on renewable energy, has 60% local staff, and will supply water to arid communities, helping address climate change.
6. Abu Dhabi DoE, Space42 partner on AI and satellite solutions for water and energy
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UAE AI and space technology company Space42 to collaborate on developing geospatial and AI solutions to enhance the efficiency and resilience of local energy and water management. Space42 will provide data such as satellite imagery and related AI solutions. The parties will also explore multi-network monitoring, flood resilience simulation, and more, supporting the UAE's 2050 Energy Strategy and its climate resilience and water security goals.
7. Kuwait awards $489 million wastewater treatment plant contract to Turkey's Kuzu
Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works has signed a contract with Turkish construction company Kuzu for the latter to build a wastewater treatment plant and related facilities for the South Mutla'a City project. The contract is valued at $489 million. The plant will use a hybrid system of traditional and renewable energy and has a daily tertiary treatment capacity of 400,000 cubic meters, supplying water for agriculture and other uses. The contract was signed during Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Kuwait. Kuzu will be responsible for the plant's construction, operation, and maintenance, serving Mutla'a City which includes 28,000 housing units.
8. Council backs European Water Resilience Strategy to tackle growing water challenges
The Council of the European Union has approved conclusions on the European Water Resilience Strategy, aimed at addressing water scarcity, pollution, and climate change challenges in a coordinated manner. The strategy focuses on three pillars: restoring the water cycle, building a water-efficient economy, and ensuring clean water for all. It emphasizes enhancing EU water management resilience through cross-sectoral collaboration, infrastructure modernization, and digital technologies.
9. Taiwan Water Week 2025: smart solutions and sustainability converge in Taipei
Taiwan International Water Week 2025 will be held from October 29-31 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. This year's event focuses on smart water and sustainable development, highlighting solutions for smart monitoring, leakage control, net-zero emissions, and more. It brings together international companies like Suez and Veolia, features a Sustainable Development Zone and the AquaImpact Awards, and promotes innovation and cooperation in Asian water resource management through international forums, procurement meetings, and other activities to address climate challenges.
10. ProÁgua project secures €200 million financing to expand Angola's water infrastructure
The Angolan government and HSBC have signed a €200 million financing agreement for the nationwide ProÁgua water infrastructure project. The project is being implemented by a consortium comprising Mitrelli and Suez International. It includes upgrading water treatment plants, installing smart water meters, and constructing desalination facilities. It will provide clean drinking water to over 9 million people and improve water supply in rural areas.
11. Corpus Christi City Council approves $169 million groundwater agreement
The Corpus Christi City Council approved a $169 million agreement with Evangeline Lake Company to acquire groundwater rights for approximately 23,000 acres of land north of Hinton. The agreement can initially supply 12 million gallons of water per day, with potential future expansion to 24 million gallons per day. The seller must secure permits within 180 days. The water source is expected to be available by early November 2026, helping address critically low reservoir levels, combat drought, and ensure long-term water security for the region.
12. Lantania launches operations in Italy and Turkey with €108 million in water and energy projects
Lantania has launched water and energy projects totaling €108 million in Italy and Turkey, expanding its international operations to 16 countries. In Italy, it is building three solar parks with a combined capacity of 80 MW near Bologna, with an investment of €35 million. Upon completion in June 2026, they will generate 118 GWh annually. In a joint venture with a Turkish company, it is expanding the Ankara water treatment plant, supported by €73 million in World Bank financing. The plant's capacity will reach 2.226 million cubic meters per day.
13. Aruba launches next-generation SWRO desalination project
Aruba's WEB utility and multinational water services provider Seven Seas Water Group announced the launch of a next-generation Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant project, a significant milestone for Aruba's infrastructure development. The plant will have a minimum daily production capacity of 16,500 cubic meters of high-quality drinking water. It uses a 10-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, requiring no upfront capital from WEB, and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, aiming to strengthen the country's water security and supply reliability.
14. EPA unveils new tools to bolster cyber resilience and safeguard water systems
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new cybersecurity toolkit to help water systems respond to cyberattacks. This toolkit includes resources such as incident response plan templates, emergency checklists, and procurement guidelines, aiming to enhance the cybersecurity protection capabilities of drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and safeguard the security of the nation's critical infrastructure.