Water Reuse Promotion Center

What Water Reuse Promotion Center does

Water Reuse Promotion Center (WRPC/造水促進センター) is a General Incorporated Foundation (一般財団法人) established on May 10, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan, and the country's only public foundation exclusively dedicated to water reuse, wastewater reclamation, and seawater desalination technology development. The organization operates a non-profit model with 11-50 employees and 80 member organizations (28 local governments, 8 industrial water user associations, 42+ water treatment companies, 1 individual as of March 2026), generating revenue through tiered annual membership fees (¥100K-200K), commissioned research contracts from government agencies (MLIT, METI, JICA, JOGMEC, JCCP, MOE), dispatched technical training programs (12 courses, ¥100-200K per session), overseas engineer training webinars (free, funded as international cooperation), technical publications (Handbook, journal, CD-ROMs at ¥4K-12K), and standards-development consulting.

WRPC's core technology portfolio centers on membrane separation processes — notably the world's first practically applied submerged Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR), pioneered by Chairman Yamamoto Kazuo and recognized with the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020. The organization co-leads ISO/TC282 (water reuse) alongside China and drove the development of ISO 20466 (reused RO membrane grade classification, published January 2025) and ISO 20468-8 (lifecycle cost evaluation, published July 2022). It maintains a 391+ entry searchable technology database spanning 20 years and operates the Water Plaza Kitakyushu demonstration facility in partnership with Kitakyushu City (since 2022), which functions as both an R&D testbed for energy-saving MBR and reused RO membrane evaluation, and a public outreach venue (1,223 cumulative visitors since FY2024).

Go-to-market is sales-led through direct institutional engagement: commissioned project contracts from government agencies (15 of 18 FY2025 projects), member enrollment via board approval, B2B on-site training delivery, and international cooperation programs funded through JICA and AOTS. The organization does not sell commercial products; all offerings are service- and standards-oriented. Its strategic position is best characterized as a quasi-public R&D intermediary bridging Japanese government policy, industry R&D needs, and international standardization bodies, with revenue predictability tied to annual government budget cycles and member renewal rates.

Name

Water Reuse Promotion Center

Legal name

一般人死亡 造水促進センター

Website

https://wrpc.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Water Reuse Promotion Center is a Tokyo-based General Incorporated Foundation (est. 1973) that develops water reuse, wastewater reclamation, and desalination technologies for Japanese government agencies, local governments, and water treatment companies, via commissioned research, technical training, and international standardization leadership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Reuse and Treatment Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV) (EUANAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Water Reuse Utilities (ZLD/MLD & Process Water Recycling) (EUANAGAG), Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction & Leak Detection (EUANAAAF), Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction (WWTP) (IMAFAGAB), Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

Keywords

• Water reuse services
• Membrane bioreactor technology
• Seawater desalination
• Wastewater reclamation
• Water treatment research

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from corporations (¥200,000/year), local government bodies (¥100,000/year), and individuals (¥5,000/year). Membership totaled 80 as of March 2026.
2. Technical Training Programs (派遣型技術者研修): Customized on-site training programs delivered at client companies covering 12 water technology topics. Member companies pay ¥100,000 per course; non-members pay ¥200,000 per course. Additional travel expenses charged separately.
3. Commissioned Research & Consulting: WRPC conducts commissioned research projects funded by government agencies (MLIT, METI, JICA, JOGMEC, JCCP) and private enterprises. Services include technology evaluation, R&D consulting, groundwater rationalization guidance, design advisory, and overseas training.
4. Publications and Documentation: Sale of technical publications including the Water Reuse Technology Handbook (¥10,000 with CD-ROM), Handbook 2004 CD-ROM edition (¥4,000), 'Membrane and Water Treatment Glossary' (¥4,000), and Water Reuse Technology journal (¥6,000/year).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Water Reuse Promotion Center (WRPC) is a Japanese non-profit foundation that develops, evaluates, and disseminates water reuse, wastewater reclamation, seawater desalination, and water rationalization technologies. It delivers commissioned R&D and consulting to government agencies, conducts international standardization under ISO/TC282, runs on-site and overseas technical training programs, maintains a Water Reuse Technology Database, and operates the Water Plaza Kitakyushu demonstration facility.

Product overview

Water Reuse Promotion Center (WRPC/造水促進センター) is a general incorporated foundation established in 1973 in Tokyo, Japan, operating as a water treatment research and technology dissemination organization rather than a product company. The organization offers a portfolio of services including: a Water Reuse Technology Database for technical document research; dispatched technical training programs covering 12 modules on water treatment, desalination, and ISO standards; overseas technical training for international engineers; a technology evaluation system for assessing water treatment innovations; and various publications including the Handbook of Water Production Technology and its addendum, the quarterly journal 'Water Production Technology', and technical reference material collections. The organization also produces educational video content and publishes ZOSUI News bulletins for members. These offerings work together to support Japan's water treatment industry through research, education, standardization, and technology transfer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Reuse Technology Database (造水技術データベース) A searchable database system containing technical documents, research reports, and case studies on water reuse technologies, covering technology development, domestic and overseas investigations, and other water treatment topics.
• Dispatched Technical Training Program (派遣型技術者研修) On-site customized training program offering 12 different course modules covering water resources, climate change, Japanese water environment policy, water treatment technologies, desalination, and ISO standards, delivered at client companies or via online systems.
• Overseas Technical Training Program (海外技術者研修) International technical training program for foreign engineers and technicians covering wastewater reuse and seawater desalination technologies, including lectures on regulations, on-site training for groundwater and wells.
• Technology Evaluation System for Water Reuse (造水技術に関する技術評価制度) A system to evaluate the suitability and practicality of advanced water treatment systems and products, including operational guidelines, application procedures, and evaluation reports, aimed at accelerating adoption of innovative water reuse technologies.
• Handbook of Water Production Technology 2004 (造水技術ハンドブック 2004) Comprehensive technical handbook covering water reuse and production technologies, available as CD-ROM edition.
• Handbook of Water Production Technology Addendum (造水技術ハンドブック＜追補＞) Supplementary volume published in 2014 to commemorate the foundation's 40th anniversary, covering advanced technologies developed in the subsequent decade with contributions from 88 authors.
• Journal "Water Production Technology" (機関誌「造水技術」) Quarterly journal covering water reuse technology, published since 1975. Currently suspended.
• ZOSUI News (海外版造水ニュース) Overseas-focused water reuse news bulletin published 3-4 times annually for members, covering wastewater reuse, seawater desalination, membrane separation technology cases, and major international conference presentations.
• Water Reuse Technology Materials Collection (造水技術資料集) Collection of technical reference materials including water footprint evaluation guidelines, wastewater reuse guidebooks, domestic and international case study compilations, Q&A collections, and technology maps.
• Video Series "Life of Water" (水のいのち) Video series explaining membrane water treatment technology, produced in Japanese and English versions, covering principles of membrane technology and its applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• ISO 20466 international standard for reused RO membrane classification developed and published
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Water Plaza Kitakyushu (ウオータープラザ北九州)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014WRPC operates the Water Plaza Kitakyushu demo plant and testbed facility in partnership with Kitakyushu City, located adjacent to the Meiumi Sewage Treatment Center. The facility conducts long-term demonstration experiments on energy-saving MBR technology and evaluation research on reused reverse osmosis membranes. Since 2022, WRPC and Kitakyushu City have operated the facility under a basic cooperation agreement.
• Shinshu University (国立学校法人信州大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic joint research partner in the AB-Cross 'Distributed Water Circulation System Demonstration Research' project targeting mountainous areas. The joint research team also includes Zeolite Co., Nihon Suiko Sekkei, and Takashima Village in Nagano Prefecture.
• Kanazawa UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaborator on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) water environment pollution research and membrane-based solutions. Professor Hara from the university's Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Science delivered a special lecture at WRPC's Member Meeting (December 2025).
• Kyoto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic joint partner in the water reuse environmental benefit evaluation method international standardization project under ISO/TC282. WRPC and Nomura Research Institute conduct the project jointly with Kyoto University, working on a new work item proposal for water footprint-based environmental benefit quantification.
• Kitakyushu CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKitakyushu City collaborates with WRPC on the Water Plaza Kitakyushu demonstration facility. The city owns the facility and WRPC provides operational management. The partnership includes energy-saving MBR research, international standardization research, and technology demonstration. WRPC conducted 1,223 visitor awareness sessions (FY2024 onwards, 253 in FY2025 alone).
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICA group training programs (rationalization of industrial water usage and wastewater reuse) are conducted by WRPC as commissioned training. WRPC also received JICA technical cooperation project participants from Vietnam for lectures on Japanese water environment policy and water reuse standardization.
• JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJOGMEC commissions WRPC for projects including portable ceramic membrane water treatment field testing and valuable metal recovery technology from oilfield produced water. Projects involve experimental verification at UAE oil facilities.
• JCCP (Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCCP commissions WRPC for technical cooperation projects including oil refinery wastewater treatment technology transfer to Iraq and UAE ADNOC refinery water environment improvement. WRPC collaborates with private companies on these commissioned projects.
• Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRI commissions WRPC for international standardization projects on water reuse evaluation methods and reused RO membrane grade classification. These projects are conducted jointly with Kyoto University and funded by METI.
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLIT commissions WRPC for the AB-Cross 'Distributed Water Circulation System Demonstration Research' and ISO/TC282 domestic review committee secretariat operations. MLIT serves as the domestic review body for ISO/TC282 water reuse standardization.
• Ishikawa PrefectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIshikawa Prefecture commissions WRPC annually to conduct groundwater usage rationalization plan reviews and technical guidance under the 'Fukuiichi Environment Protection Ordinance.' WRPC reviews 28 facility plans and conducts on-site surveys.
• Tokyo Metropolitan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Takizawa Satoshi, a newly appointed councillor to WRPC's board as of March 2026, is a Specially Appointed Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University.
• Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRI commissions WRPC for PPP (Public-Private Partnership) survey work related to global sewage treatment projects, contributing to international business development support.
• AOTS (Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith AOTS support, WRPC conducted a seminar on water environment improvement in Mongolia on November 18, 2022, as part of the 'Ulaanbaatar Tannery Water Environment Problem Expert Dispatch Program.'
• Mongolia Ulaanbaatar CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRPC signed an MOU with Ulaanbaatar City in March 2022 for technical support on water environment issues. WRPC has been conducting surveys and technical guidance to address water environment challenges, and also participated in AOTS-supported expert dispatch program for tanneries.
• Japan Methane Hydrate Research Corp.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned by Japan Methane Hydrate Research Corp., WRPC conducts fundamental research on produced water treatment technology involving hydrate production process inhibitors, performing elemental testing to achieve seawater discharge quality standards.
• 80 Member Organizations (28 local governments, 8 industrial associations, 43 companies, 1 individual)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWRPC's 80 member organizations span local governments (Fukushima to Okinawa prefectures, major cities), industrial water associations (petrochemical, steel, automobile, fertilizer), and water treatment companies (Asahi Kasei, Kurita Water, Toray, Mitsubishi Electric, MetaWater, WOTA, and others). Members pay annual fees and receive information services, training access, and R&D collaboration opportunities.
• JCCME (Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCCME commissions WRPC to conduct Iran desalination technology training programs. In February 2026, WRPC delivered a 2-week training program (February 16-20) on Japanese seawater desalination technologies and facility tours for 15 Iranian trainees from the Private Investors Desalination Association (PIDA).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Desalination Association (IDA): Global nonprofit advancing desalination and water reuse technologies, providing education, conferences, and technical guidelines; closest international counterpart to WRPC in the desalination and reuse standardization space.
• Water Research Foundation: US-based nonprofit that funds and disseminates water utility research; a near-analog in the commissioned research and technology transfer model that WRPC operates for Japan.
• WateReuse Association: US-based nonprofit trade association dedicated to water reuse, recycled water, desalination, and groundwater replenishment; analogous in mission (technology advocacy, policy, and standards promotion) to WRPC and a direct counterparty in ISO/TC282 discussions.

Others

• Kurita Water Industries: Major Japanese water treatment corporation that is a member of WRPC; relevant as a downstream commercial participant in the WRPC ecosystem rather than a peer.
• Toray Industries (Membrane Division): Global membrane manufacturer (RO/UF/NF) and WRPC corporate member; overlapping technology domain but commercial rather than promotional.

Regional players

• Australian Water Association: Australia's peak water industry body delivering training, conferences, and standards advocacy; functions analogously to WRPC in the Australian market.
• European Desalination Society (EDS): European nonprofit promoting desalination and water reuse research; serves a comparable advocacy, conference, and training role for the European region.
• China Water Reuse Association: China's national water reuse body and co-secretariat partner with WRPC for ISO/TC282; the most relevant Chinese counterpart and a frequent collaborator/competitor for international reuse standards.
• National Water Reuse Association (Korea): Korea's leading water reuse research and industry organization; comparable in mission to WRPC and an active ISO/TC282 participant, but regional rather than secretariat-lead.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB): Singapore's national water agency that pioneered NEWater reuse and hosts the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize; broader agency with operating utility functions but overlapping technology dissemination and standardization roles.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Water Reuse Promotion Center