EmerGO

Tracking and reducing persistent and emerging pollutants in water for safer food and drink systems.

The EmerGO project is developing an innovative, integrated European platform to identify, monitor, prevent and reduce persistent and emerging pollutants (PEPs) found in the water used by the food and drink industry, particularly water from industrial cleaning operations.

EmerGO combines real-time monitoring and smart sensors with advanced water treatment technologies, such as advanced oxidation, hybrid membranes, adsorption and recovery systems, to reduce pollutants at source.

The solutions will be validated at industrial pilot plants in the meat, fruit juice and confectionery sectors, aiming to achieve reductions of 40% to 80% in priority pollutants, reuse more than 50% of the treated water, and recover more than 30% of the salts and reagents.

By generating tools, data and guidance for industry, policymakers and the public, EmerGO supports cleaner production, protects water resources and food safety, and contributes to the European Zero Pollution ambition, the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Eurecat coordinates EmerGO through its Water, Air and Soil Unit, bringing its expertise in water treatment and advanced oxidation processes. The project brings together a consortium of 18 partners from 10 countries spanning research, technology, industry, policy and society.