Thirty-five years ago, someone had a simple but radical idea: what if the industry stopped treating water as waste? That question grew in 1991 into Global Water & Energy (GWE), today a world-leading name in industrial wastewater treatment, water reuse, and waste-to-energy solutions. Active in 83 countries, with over 500 projects and 125 people worldwide. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Before GWE was founded, Jean-Pierre Ombregt was already ahead of his time. Holding degrees in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from Ghent University (Belgium), he dove into anaerobic wastewater treatment in the late 1970s — back then a relatively new field of industrial wastewater treatment. After previous years of building expertise and collaborating with universities and research institutions to advance treatment technologies, he turned his focus toward Asia.
In 1991, he left his previous employer and founded EnviroAsia. The tropical climate was ideal for biogas installations, the competition was limited, and Jean-Pierre had that rarest of traits: the ability to see an opportunity before anyone else did.
With headquarters in Hong Kong and later in Manila, the company established its international presence at an early stage. Many of the company’s earliest international projects were realized through a network of local partners and agents. In an era before emails, LinkedIn, video calls, and global business networks, relationships were built face-to-face. During his travels across Asia, Jean-Pierre Ombregt often connected with future partners and customers in hotel bars and golf courts. With success, one of the first projects scored was in Taiwan.
By 1998, EnviroAsia had grown to a team of around 20 employees and expanded its presence with entities in Germany and, a few years later, in Belgium, laying the foundations for further international growth.
Around this time, Uli Ombregt joined the new company in Belgium after completing his studies, marking the start of the next generation within GWE.
📷 Keelung Leachate in Taiwan, the first installation of EnviroAsia in 1991
Uli Ombregt
While competitors were still drafting on paper in the early 1990s, EnviroAsia was already designing with AutoCAD and even installations were monitored through SCADA.
Some of GWE's technologies were invented in unlikely places — the CALORIX™ system, for example, was developed mid-flight between Nicaragua and Belgium. Not every idea worked immediately. Early experimental concepts sometimes led to valuable “what not to do” learnings that shaped later successful technologies that are still being used today.
The naming of GWE's technology families isn't accidental either. The ANUBIX™ line, for instance, is built on technical logic — names that reflect core process principles like UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket).
Tightening environmental standards, rising energy costs, digitization, growing water scarcity, etc. Every shift in the industry became an opportunity to innovate with the development of new technologies. Throughout the years, the company strengthened its expertise in wastewater treatment, water reclamation, biogas valorization, biomass energy, and resource recovery.
📷 Early SCADA system
In 2003, EnviroAsia became Global Water Engineering — a name that reflected more a global vision, as projects and partnerships increasingly extended far beyond Asia. By 2018, a further evolution to Global Water & Energy signaled a broader vision: integrated solutions that connect wastewater treatment with energy recovery.
This was followed in 2023 by GWE becoming part of the Ekopak Group, creating new opportunities to further strengthen its international ambitions and sustainable impact as one full solution partner.
Over the past 35 years, the company has continuously evolved alongside the industries and communities it serves. From the first installations and early international projects to complex treatment plants and long-term global partnerships, every challenge helped shape the company step by step.
Today, as we celebrate this anniversary, we do so with pride in everything that has been achieved, but also with excitement for what lies ahead. The challenges around water, energy, and the environment continue to evolve, and so does GWE. Together with the Ekopak group, we remain committed to helping industries worldwide.
And of course, no 35th anniversary would be complete without taking a moment to celebrate together, preferably with some cake included! 🎂
To everyone who has been part of the GWE journey over the years: thank you for your trust, collaboration, and support.
Here’s to the next chapter together!
Curious to see our work? Explore photos of our installations here.
