Dutch water technology gains ground in Italy through strategic partnerships
Nine Dutch water technology companies are entering the Italian market as part of the NLWatertech2Italy cluster. Italy is making major investments to modernise its water infrastructure in response to persistent leakage, climate pressures and regional disparities. These developments open strong opportunities for Dutch solutions in smart water management, flood resilience and circular systems.
Italy's water infrastructure faces significant challenges, including 40–50% water loss due to leakage, ageing pipelines, and regional disparities. Climate change adds further pressure, creating an urgent need for modern, resilient water management solutions.. Since 2021, the Italian government's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which is part of the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility, has allocated over €900 million to improving national water management. This is where Dutch water expertise can come into play.
Dutch water technology companies offer proven solutions in areas where Italian authorities need support: leakage reduction, digital water management, flood risk management, and circular water systems.To support Dutch companies in accessing these opportunities, the Dutch government operates the Partners for International Business (PIB) programme, which facilitates strategic market entry through structured, long-term collaboration.
The PIB programme approach
The PIB programme enables Dutch businesses to enter public-private partnerships to realise international ambitions. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) implements PIB on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It draws on a global network of embassies, consulates and Netherlands Business Support Offices.
The programme addresses common barriers to international expansion: unfamiliar regulatory environments, limited local networks, and trade restrictions. By forming clusters that combine industry expertise with diplomatic support, Dutch companies gain a more solid foundation for market entry. Each PIB cluster follows aa two- or three-year action plan. These plans identify key activities to create a strong foundation for Dutch companies entering international markets.Water technology is just one of the many clusters active worldwide under the PIB programme. Active since 2012, PIB has supported more than 150 clusters across various sectors.
NLWatertech2Italy: Building presence in Italian markets
In early 2025, nine Dutch water technology companies signed a collaboration agreement with RVO to form the PIB ‘NLWatertech2Italy’ cluster. The three-year programme (2025–2027), supported by Water Alliance and the Netherlands Consulate in Milan, focuses on creating business opportunities in Italian water distribution, wastewater treatment, and water reuse.The nine participating companies are Andel, Artesia, CIWI, HULO, NX Filtration, Samotics, Spatial Eye, Spatial Insight and Pure Water Group. Together, they offer complementary expertise spanning the water value chain, from leakage detection and condition monitoring to filtration technologies and data management.
The Dutch Consulate-General in Milan and the Embassy in Rome provide extensive support to the cluster. Water sector activities rank high on their priority lists. This reflects both the scale of investment Italy is making in water infrastructure and the alignment between Dutch capabilities and Italian needs.
Water opportunities in Italy
The Italian water market presents several clear opportunity domains for Dutch expertise. Non-revenue water - water lost before it reaches consumers - and smart networks represent a primary focus area.Italian water utilities face substantial leakage and actively seek technologies for leakage control, pipeline condition assessment, smart sensors, and artificial intelligence-based monitoring.
Flood risk and climate adaptation create additional demand for Dutch solutions and expertise in integrated flood management, Nature-based Solutions, and basin-scale planning. These are all areas where Dutch organisations have demonstrated track records.
Wastewater treatment, reuse and resource recovery offer a third opportunity domain. Italy's drive to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities and increase water reuse creates space for Dutch solutions in advanced treatment technologies, energy-neutral plants, and nutrient or heat recovery systems.
Strengthening Dutch presence in Italy
Members of the NLWatertech2Italy cluster benefit from collective visibility, shared market intelligence, and improved access to key decision-makers. The supporting embassies, consulates-general, and local liaisons help them navigate regulatory and cultural barriers. The public-private partnership aims to accelerate trust-building in the Italian market and create the conditions for sustained presence.
The NLWatertech2Italy cluster demonstrated these benefits during its participation in Ecomondo, the Green Technology Expo in Rimini, in November 2025. The Dutch Consulate-General in Milan supported the cluster during the trade fair, and the event provided opportunities for engagement with Italian utilities, river basin authorities, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Members of the cluster successfully took their first steps towards establishing contracts and collaborations. Further joint activities are planned throughout 2026 and 2027 to build a lasting presence in the Italian water market.
Broader impact
The NLWatertech2Italy cluster demonstrates how structured government support can accelerate international market entry whilst contributing to broader policy objectives. Italy's substantial investment in water infrastructure modernisation, combined with clear alignment between Italian challenges and Dutch capabilities, suggests that the NLWatertech2Italy cluster is well-positioned to generate concrete results.
By supporting Italian water infrastructure modernisation, Dutch companies help advance several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action. For the Netherlands, it strengthens the international profile of Dutch water expertise whilst supporting economic growth through technology exports.
