Barriers and drivers to implement alternative water use in the chemical industry: A stakeholder perspective

Abstract

Due to increasing water scarcity, industries are turning to alternative water sources of lower quality, necessitating the development and implementation of innovative water technologies (e.g., membrane processes, advanced oxidation). However, successful adoption of these technologies can fail due to organizational and regulatory barriers, factors that are often overlooked in the literature. To address this gap, we conducted and qualitatively analyzed semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from two chemical plants—one in Europe and one in the United States (US)—to explore the drivers and barriers influencing the implementation of alternative water sources using new systems or technologies. Our findings reveal that organizational aspects, such as labor capacity, risk aversion, and hierarchical structures, are critical barriers and that a company's willingness to be an early adopter can serve as a key driver. Further, regulatory differences contributed to contrasting stakeholder perspectives, with stakeholders at the European site emphasizing stringent water quality regulations more often than those from the US site. Results underscore the importance of a holistic, stakeholder-driven approach in designing and implementing sustainable water technologies for alternative water use. Our study offers practical guidance for decision-makers by highlighting the need to integrate organizational and regulatory considerations into technology assessments, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of successful adoption. For example, companies could pair new water systems with workforce training to address skill gaps and ensure smooth adoption. Additionally, our findings provide a foundation for quantitative analyses, such as system dynamics modeling, to further explore the complex interactions influencing water technology adoption in the industrial sector.