Águas e Energia do Porto (AEdP) is redefining sustainability in urban water management through additive manufacturing. Faced with significant plastic waste from infrastructure projects, the company turned to 3D printing to create a circular solution—transforming waste into functional components for Porto’s water supply system.
What started as an exploratory initiative in 2019 gave way to a game-changing approach. By replacing metal components like valve and fire hydrant covers with 3D-printed parts, AEdP reduced costs by 70%, minimized theft, and enhanced operational efficiency. More importantly, it embraced a closed-loop material cycle, reducing dependency on virgin raw materials while promoting a more resilient and resource-efficient supply chain.
The launch of Wat(t)er FabLab in 2019 solidified AEdP’s commitment to sustainable innovation. Equipped with fourteen nine 3D printers, the fablab utilizes a variety of materials—including PLA, PETG, ASA, Nylon and Polycarbonate — to meet the diverse demands of water infrastructure applications. With in-house design, prototyping, and production, the lab has already manufactured over 20,000 pieces, with 12,000 deployed across Porto’s water infrastructure by mid-2025. The use of 3D printing extends beyond infrastructure—it supports merchandising, education and research, and digital fabrication, with applications such as topographic modeling and telemetry system development for smart water consumption monitoring.
This forward-thinking initiative earned AEdP the 2024 ERSAR Innovation Prize, highlighting its leadership in sustainable water management. By fully integrating additive manufacturing, the company is setting a new industry standard, demonstrating how 3D printing can drive efficiency, resilience, and circularity in utility services. Wat(t)er FabLab is not just a technological milestone—it’s a blueprint for the future of sustainable urban infrastructure.
As AEdP continues to innovate and expand its use of 3D printing, it sets a powerful precedent for other utilities to follow, paving the way for a more sustainable and circular approach to managing urban water cycles.
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