Iran blends innovation and industry to address water scarcity

On Monday it was announced that researchers in Isfahan have turned industrial wastewater from the steel industry into a profitable and environmentally friendly product.

At Mobarakeh Steel Complex, one of the largest industrial units in the Islamic Republic of Iran, about 15,000 tonnes of wastewater are produced every year. Because this wastewater contains iron and other metals, it has long been seen as a potential resource if only it could be safely reused.

The development of a process that can recover these valuable materials without creating further pollution has been a major goal for both industrial engineers and environmental scientists in the country.

Specialists from a knowledge-based company in Isfahan spent two years studying how to turn this waste into a useful raw material. Using a method that combines mechanical, chemical and physical sciences, they broke down the fatty chains of the wastewater with ultraviolet light.

The process converts all of the liquid into a usable substance for steel production. Nothing is wasted. The result is both a cleaner environment and a valuable product.

Researchers say their method could open a new window for export of Iranian technology to other countries facing similar industrial challenges.

According to the team, the new process is designed to be efficient and easy to install in existing industrial systems, so that large steel plants can adapt to it without major cost.

It has already attracted interest from industrial managers and government officials who see it as an example of how science and production can work together.

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The global steel industry uses vast amounts of water and produces large volumes of contaminated waste. Heavy metals and oily residues from steelmaking can harm soil and water if not properly treated.

Traditional wastewater treatment systems can remove some of these pollutants, but they are expensive and often leave behind sludge that must be safely disposed of.

The Isfahan breakthrough demonstrates that scientific innovation can turn an environmental hazard into an economic opportunity.

This approach saves money, protects natural resources and reduces dependence on imported raw materials. It also helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of steel production, which is one of the world’s largest sources of industrial emissions.

Iran’s decision to invest in such research is closely linked to its growing concern about water shortages. Much of the country lies in dry or semi-dry regions where rainfall is scarce and rivers are shrinking.

The capital, Tehran, and most other large cities have faced several years of drought. Last week, President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that if no rain falls by December, Tehran may have to ration water, and if the drought continues, even evacuation could be considered.

Such statements have drawn attention to the need for new ways to manage water. Reusing treated wastewater for industry and for watering parks and trees has become essential.

In recent years, Iranian cities have begun expanding wastewater recycling networks, connecting industrial zones directly to treatment plants so that reclaimed water can be used in production lines, cooling systems and cleaning processes.

Officials describe this as one of the most practical ways to deal with the country’s limited freshwater supply.

Tehran now has eleven wastewater treatment plants that last year produced more than 390 million cubic meters of treated water. Two large modern plants in the south and west of the city provide most of this capacity, while nine smaller local plants handle the rest.

City planners say Tehran will eventually need 22 treatment plants to cover its entire population. The expansion projects already under construction are expected to increase total capacity by more than ten percent in the next few years.

At the national level Iran produces around 1.8 billion cubic meters of wastewater each year. If all of this water were properly treated and reused it could play a major role in supporting agriculture and industry without drawing on natural reserves.

The Ministry of Energy has described treated wastewater as one of the country’s most reliable future water sources, particularly for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation, construction and industrial production.

More than 57 percent of the population is already connected to the wastewater collection network. The country now operates more than 280 active treatment plants, with several new ones under construction in provinces such as Isfahan, Fars, Kerman and Khorasan.

Under national law, all industries located within the range of wastewater treatment systems must use treated water in their production. Only food and hygiene industries are exempt, though even they are encouraged to use treated water for landscaping and cleaning.

The policy supports both the Clean Air Act and the Seventh Development Plan, which aim to promote sustainable water management and reduce pollution across industrial zones.

Experts say these regulations have already helped save millions of cubic meters of fresh water each year, while also cutting costs for companies that once relied on expensive groundwater pumping.

The success in Isfahan shows that Iran can create advanced environmental technology through domestic research despite economic restrictions. Turning wastewater into a raw material for steelmaking reduces costs and lessens pressure on natural water sources.

It also demonstrates the ability of Iranian engineers and scientists to develop solutions that suit the country’s climate and industrial structure.

By fostering collaboration between universities, research centers and major factories, Iran has built a foundation for practical innovation that strengthens industry and improves the management of its natural resources.

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