Seen from space, our planet should be called Water. Yet less than 1% of all water on Earth is usable for human life. With a growing global population, mounting pollution from organic and inorganic substances, and a rapidly changing climate, that scarcity is accelerating.
Today, only one in two people on Earth has access to hygienic drinking water. Traditional desalination systems only function at coastlines. Importing drinking water is costly, inefficient, and ecologically devastating. The simultaneous global demand for ultrapure water and green hydrogen is rising – faster than any existing technology can address.
GCW exists to change that – everywhere, for everyone.
We envision a world in which clean water is no longer scarce – not in coastal cities, not in arid inland regions, not for energy systems. GCW’s technology makes that future achievable today.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
GCW’s work directly contributes to three core UN SDGs:
SDG 6
Goal: Clean Water & Sanitation
Providing safe, accessible drinking water to communities without coastal access.
SDG 9
Goal: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Deploying patented modular technology that operates off-grid and scales globally.
SDG 13
Goal: Climate Action
CO₂-free systems powered 100% by renewable energy, eliminating brine waste.
Our Journey.
GCW German Clean Water GmbH & Co. KG was founded with a singular purpose: to develop technology that makes clean water universally accessible. Our milestones:
CM Institute, Civilisations Matter e.V.
In 2010, scientists and engineers at the Berlin-based CM Institute (Civilisations Matter) began developing an innovative desalination and water treatment process.
Our goal was to create an alternative to conventional reverse osmosis systems. These conventional systems generate large quantities of brine as a by-product, which has numerous adverse effects on soil and the seabed. As a result, both people and aquatic life are deprived of essential food sources. We firmly believe that restoring damaged seabeds for future generations will be just as costly as ensuring the safe storage of nuclear waste.
For this reason, we chose to focus on technologies that transform harmful residual waste into valuable raw materials and can primarily be deployed on land.
From Cradle to Cradle. We patented the fundamental principle underlying our technology.
Another key objective was to develop systems that could be transported and installed in standard-sized shipping containers. Our systems are designed for longevity, manufactured in individual production series, cost-efficient to transport, and ready for rapid deployment thanks to plug-and-play connections.
They are engineered to withstand earthquakes and can be remotely monitored and controlled through digital systems. Our solutions require minimal maintenance and servicing, eliminating the need for costly additional investments while keeping personnel requirements low.
The systems operate as standalone solutions powered by renewable energy, although part of their energy demand can also be met through industrial waste heat.
Our plants can provide safe, healthy drinking water for up to 600.000 people and can be installed both in close proximity to residential areas and within industrial zones.
We place particular emphasis on decentralized deployment, as our systems do not generate by-products such as brine.
We recognize the responsibility that comes with managing the world's increasingly scarce freshwater resources, which account for only around 1% of global water reserves.
For this reason, our technology converts up to 95% of raw water into usable water — significantly more than many other technologies and processes currently in use.
We do not use chemical water softeners, as our objective is to produce natural, life-sustaining water.
CM Congress: “International Conference on Drinking Water Safety in Arid Areas”
In 2011, an international conference was held at Beijing Normal University under the patronage of the German Embassy, with the participation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientists from Europe and the People's Republic of China.
Following this conference and until the institute's transformation into the commercial GCW company in 2021, its scientists, engineers, and technical experts focused particularly on inland raw water treatment.
In cooperation with Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the institute conducted and evaluated analyses of raw water from semi-arid regions around the world.
In parallel, representatives held exploratory discussions with governments internationally and organized meetings with ambassadors at PwC's offices in Berlin.
These activities laid important foundations for the further development and international application of the institute's water treatment technologies.
EFG 2012 Eco-Forum Global, Guiyang
Wolfram Bauer was invited to speak at the Eco-Forum Global in Guiyang, China.
During the forum, he presented the latest scientific findings and research developments of Civilisations Matter e.V.
GCW German Clean Water GmbH & Co. KG
Preparations began for the production of industrial water treatment plants designed for use in equatorial regions.
A university prototype was constructed and subjected to long-term testing in Wurzen under the technical supervision of GCW.
At the same time, technical planning, engineering calculations, and preparations for industrial plant construction were carried out.
A suitable site for future production was identified, secured through an option agreement, and subsequently purchased in Wachau near Dresden. The site is intended to accommodate a newly constructed industrial production facility.
Initial building designs were developed, and a dedicated project team was established to oversee the planning and implementation of the construction project.
Water Family Holding GmbH
Establishment of Water Family Holding GmbH as the parent holding company for the group of companies owned by the founding family.
Planning of the Production Facility in Wachau near Dresden
Development of construction plans for the future production headquarters and industrial manufacturing facility in Wachau near Dresden
Gründung der „Water Treatment Academy“
