Water Footprint Reduction in the Metallurgical Sector through Oily Emulsion Reuse and the WASM Method

Abstract

This study analyzes the application of **WASM - *Water Assessment for Sustainability Method*, a structured decision-support framework that enables the evaluation of scenarios, risks and technological alternatives prior to operational investments. The method is structured into 4 phases**—*Decision Governance, Technical Validation, Solution Design* and *Implementation*—ensuring an integrated and strategy-oriented approach. ![WASM - *Water Assessment for Sustainability Method][1] The case study concerns a metallurgical plant where spent emulsions from a forging press generated approximately 1,000 tons of wastewater per year, treated through physico-chemical processes and subsequently discharged. Through the first 3 phases of the WASM method, vacuum evaporation was identified as the optimal solution. This technology allows the separation of emulsions into a reusable distilled fraction and a reduced concentrated residue for disposal. The outlined pathway suggests a significant improvement in environmental performance: following the Implementation phase, water consumption is expected to be reduced by up to 95% through internal reuse, while wastewater volumes will be significantly decreased. In addition, reduced waste transport is expected to contribute to lower indirect CO₂ emissions. From an economic perspective, a reduction in operating costs and a rapid return on investment are anticipated. This case highlights the value of a structured methodological approach in supporting sustainable decision-making aligned with circular economy principles. [1]: https://www.contecindustry.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/WASM-Method.jpg