RINA has secured a World Bank-backed contract to conduct a water assessment supporting Brazil’s low-carbon industrial transition at the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex in Ceará.
The project aims to facilitate large-scale green hydrogen production while also improving water access for nearby communities.
Delivered in partnership with Brazilian firm Krypton, the study will examine two key water sourcing strategies: reuse of treated effluent from sewage treatment plants in western Fortaleza, and seawater desalination.
Both options will be assessed for their technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental impact, and regulatory compatibility.
The scope of the study includes:
- A comparative feasibility analysis of reclaimed water reuse vs. seawater desalination.
- A detailed environmental impact assessment.
- An evaluation of projected water demand at the CIPP over the next 5–10 years.
- A regulatory and infrastructure review aligned with Brazilian standards.
- An assessment of how the proposed infrastructure could enhance water access for surrounding communities.
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This contract follows RINA’s earlier World Bank assignment focused on industrial decarbonisation, which included the development of a GHG inventory, energy balance, and a decarbonisation roadmap for the region’s energy-intensive industries.
Andrea Pestarino, IFI and Organisations Engineering Commercial Management Director at RINA, stated: “This project reflects the power of RINA’s global knowledge base and our ability to apply it in support of sustainable industrial development.
“As a knowledge-led organisation, we bring together experience across sectors and geographies to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions. This World Bank contract reinforces our long-term commitment to the region and to Brazil’s clean energy future.”
The study supports the development of the Port of Pecém as one of Brazil’s leading clean energy and green export hubs, linking industrial innovation with social and environmental equity.
Recently, President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on all Brazilian imports, set to take effect on 1 August. He described the move as a response to what he called a politically motivated “witch hunt” targeting former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing charges over an alleged coup attempt.
