Stegra partners with John Laing and Aquatech for water treatment plant

Stegra has entered a corporate Private to Private Partnership (PtPP) with John Laing, an investor and manager of core infrastructure assets, and Aquatech, a provider of zero-liquid discharge water treatment services, to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a new water treatment facility at Stegra’s industrial site in Boden.

The water treatment plant will be a ‘critical part of the infrastructure’ required to operate what will be the world’s first large-scale green steel plant, Stegra says, with production planned to start in 2026.

John Laing is making a long-term investment in the facility and led the structuring of a water treatment services agreement. The design and build of the water treatment plant equipment and its operation is undertaken by Aquatech under a 25-year services contract.

The solution includes treatments for ultra-pure water, wastewater recycling, zero liquid discharge, compact strip production mill scale, and water for cooling systems, ensuring a holistic water management system for the steel plant. The water treatment plant will supply demineralized water to the electrolyzers used to create green hydrogen and purified water used in system cooling, as well as treating wastewater from the steel mill, returning 99.9% of the process water back to the system.

“This kind of technology has never been more in need to meet net zero targets in countries. We are excited to be part of this facility and continue to identify and invest in core infrastructure assets that contribute to the global energy transition,” said Andrew Truscott, CEO, John Laing.

“The water treatment processes are a very important part of our plant, which is the integrated plant for hydrogen, iron and steelmaking globally. What we are doing in Boden is pioneering in every aspect, and it would not be possible without partnerships with players like Aquatech”, added Henrik Henriksson, CEO, Stegra.