From wastewater treatment plants to biofactories: the potential of water in the circular economy

On 27 January 2022, the event “From wastewater treatment plants to biofactories: the potential of water in the circular economy” will take place, organised by Cetaqua and FEUGA in the framework of the innovation projects Ecoval Sudoe and WALNUT.

This meeting aims to explore the concept of biofactories and present the technical advances of both projects. In addition, the social, legal, and market barriers for the valorisation of high added value products for agriculture and industry, such as sludge or biofertilisers obtained from waste flows from urban water treatment plants, will be discussed.

Here you can consult the program of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with presentations and round tables to reflect on the essential value of water in the transition to a circular economy. The main parts of the day are:

  • Part I: past, present, and future of biofactories.
  • Part II: legislative barriers/transfer for the implementation of biofactories
  • Part III: end-users of biofactory by-products.

The event will be broadcast by Zoom with English translation. The capacity of the virtual event is limited. Registration will close when the maximum number of registrations is reached. Don’t miss it, register here!

 

How to overcome bottlenecks for the valorisation of biowaste and sludge-based products?

The model that the Ecoval Sudoe project aims to promote involves a paradigm shift: from wastewater treatment stations to biofactories. A change of model, from linear to circular and a change of concept: waste for resources. However, it is not enough to test new technologies for the valorisation of resources categorised as waste; innovation has to go hand by hand with the acceptance of the business model. This is why the project is launching a series of workshops in which different experts will answer the question: how to overcome the barriers for the valorisation of biowaste and sewage sludge?  

The first of the workshops was on 2 December, from 11:00 and 13:30, with the participation of Spanish experts who presented and discussed the barriers they have identified from their experience with bio-waste and sewage sludge, as well as proposals to overcome them. Therefore, the conference, led by Laura Díez and Inés Méndez, technicians of the Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León, was attended by:

With the interaction of all participants, the debate on the main legal and administrative barriers to the valorisation of bio-waste and sewage sludge was led by the following speakers:

  • Daniel Ruíz, Grupo Valora, a company specializing in the treatment, recovery and exploitation of waste that can be used for agricultural and forestry purposes, in particular substrate, fertilisers and technosoils.
  • Inmaculada Sanz, FCC, an expert group in environmental, water and infrastructure.
  • Luz Panizo, Aquona, an environmental company that focuses its activity on integral water cycle services.

Stay tuned, this workshop is the first one and focuses on the situation and experience in Spain, but further dates will be announced to analyse the situation in Portugal and France as well.