#USA #Houston #Anheuser-Busch #water reuse #Cambrian

Cambrian and Anheuser-Busch: A Revolutionary Water Management Project

Cambrian, a frontrunner in turnkey wastewater treatment and energy recovery, has made waves in the water sustainability sector with its latest project in collaboration with Anheuser-Busch. This initiative, which centers around the first-ever Water-Energy Purchase Agreement (WEPA) signed by Anheuser-Busch, has earned a prestigious spot as a finalist for the 2025 Global Water Awards’ Industrial Project of the Year. The award ceremony is set to take place during the Global Water Summit in Paris from May 12 to 14, 2025.

The project marks a significant advancement in water recycling, allowing Anheuser-Busch's Houston brewery to achieve large-scale water reuse without any upfront capital investments. This innovative approach not only aids Anheuser-Busch in cutting operational expenses but also delivers measurable environmental advantages. By utilizing Cambrian’s cutting-edge technology, the Houston brewery is slated to process 400,000 gallons of high-strength wastewater each day, transforming it into EPA-quality water for non-potable uses. Over the course of a 20-year contract, this system is expected to treat approximately 3.45 billion gallons of wastewater, while also reducing water and wastewater costs by an impressive 20% and cutting CO₂ emissions by over 23,000 tons.

Matthew Silver, the CEO and Founder of Cambrian, emphasized the dual benefits presented by this groundbreaking project: "This project represents true innovation, not only in water technology but also in our infrastructure delivery methods. By merging advanced treatment capabilities with a performance-oriented business model, we’ve established a mutually beneficial partnership for Anheuser-Busch, delivering lower pollution, reduced water consumption, and diminished costs—all without imposing capital investment or operational risks. This is undoubtedly the future of sustainable water management."

The partnership between Cambrian and Anheuser-Busch began in 2019 with a pilot project under the 100+ Accelerator, which promotes sustainability innovations globally. The official launch of the Houston project took place in 2022, showcasing Cambrian’s exclusive BlueCycle™ membrane bioreactor technology. Operating under the WEPA model, Cambrian manages the system's financing, construction, and operations, charging Anheuser-Busch only for the volume of treated water utilized.

Angie Slaughter, Vice President of Sustainability Procurement at Anheuser-Busch, expressed excitement over the ongoing collaboration: "We are thrilled to continue our journey with Cambrian, implementing advanced technology in our Houston brewery, where we have been focusing on wastewater treatment for over two decades. We're constantly pushing the envelope on sustainability, and our alliance with Cambrian illustrates how partnerships can accelerate progress in the circular economy."

Apart from its significant water reuse capabilities, this project is projected to eliminate about 1,230 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, akin to removing over 260 vehicles from the roads. Moreover, it guarantees operational excellence due to the inclusion of specialized Cambrian staff on-site, relieving Anheuser-Busch of the capital and maintenance demands.

In the words of Edward Norton, a Cambrian board member and sustainability advocate, "The potential we’ve unlocked with this technology is remarkable. The quality of water produced, coupled with dramatically lowered energy use, is truly impressive. What stands out most is that Anheuser-Busch and Cambrian are setting a precedent—what benefits the environment and the community is also the most economically viable option. Enhancing sustainability concerning water management can increase profitability, creating a powerful alignment for positive change."

The Global Water Awards, organized by Global Water Intelligence, honor remarkable achievements within the international water sector. The accolade for Industrial Project of the Year recognizes projects that have made significant strides towards water sustainability in industrial domains.

About Cambrian

Cambrian is a leader in commercial and industrial water recycling and energy recovery solutions. Their proprietary technology allows for turnkey wastewater treatment systems that lower operational risks and lifecycle expenses significantly. Through their innovative WEPA, Cambrian designs, builds, owns, and operates treatment systems, pricing clients based solely on the volume of water treated. Founded from the MIT community, Cambrian has collaborated with renowned global brands, including Anheuser-Busch, Sapporo, and LVMH. The company has gained recognition from the World Economic Forum as both a Technology Pioneer and Circular Economy Leader. For more insights, visit Cambrian's website.