WAS

Thermochemical processes for the valorization of forest resources. BIOFORIN is a strategic project to promote the regional bioeconomy and climate resilience through the boost of research and the development of new applications of added value in the market. BIOFORIN brings together the entire value chain, from forest owners to end users, to generate a sustainable forest management model oriented towards industrial use. The initiative promotes a boost in the use of forest biomass, in the first instance for thermal use, generating at the same time an opportunity for a sustainable and resilient management of forest masses, [...]

Reliability and effectiveness of integrated alternative water resources management for regional climate change adaption. The RECREATE project improves the resilience of water supplies and protects the status of natural water resources by facilitating the assessment and inclusion of Alternative Water Resources (AWR) in water management planning for water-scarce regions. RECREATE will compile existing information and will use existing and newly developed models and tools to support the evidence-based, quantitative assessment of different water management strategies under different socio-economic scenarios and climate change projections. The project will improve the cost efficiency of selected AWR solutions by demonstrating [...]

Green, low-cost, and environmentally friendly recycling processes for end-of-life batteries. The REVITALISE project offers a holistic solution for green, low-cost and low environmental impact recycling of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC Hi-Ni), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion (Na-Ion) batteries, representing 85% of battery waste streams up to 2025. REVITALISE develops low-cost and green processes to recover a full range of battery materials, including NMC, LFP, aluminium, copper, lithium, graphite, fluorides, phosphates and plastics. The project proves overall recycling rates of over 91% at TRL4 for waste processed from post-production scrap and end-of-life battery black [...]

Development of an Innovation Booster Package to accelerate and foster transformation through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The NATALIE project addresses the risks posed by climate change and its impacts and advances ecosystem-based adaptation in Europe. To this end, NATALIE offers 25 innovative solutions through cocreation processes, financial innovation, stakeholder participation, modeling, testing, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, pre-feasibility studies and evidence-based results. NATALIE demonstrates 18 Nature-Based Solutions in eight pilot sites located in five different biogeographic regions of Europe. Its replication is studied in four follower sites located in the same biogeographic regions. Eurecat participates in the project [...]

Generation, storage and use of renewable H2 through biowaste recovery. The VAL2H2 project develops technologies that allow the use of biowaste that is difficult to manage in the form of renewable H2. VAL2H2 adopts a decentralized approach to produce H2 that can be used as fuel in waste transport vehicles for local and circular use. The project covers the entire H2 value chain: production, purification and analysis, storage and use. In the case of production, on the one hand the combination of microwave pretreatment with fermentation and reforming, and on the other hand thermochemical processes, are [...]

Concentration and rectification of grape must in situ to replace imported sugars in the production of sparkling wines. The MCR LOCAL project demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of a compact and mobile process for the concentration of rectified concentrated must (RCM) in the wineries of the Penedès area, reducing economic costs and the associated carbon footprint in comparison to the use of sugar, or to the RCM produced outside the territory of application. The pilot will consist of three technological modules: ultrafiltration, ion exchange resins, and evaporation. The presence of the pilot at the cellars [...]

Development of a technology that can allow a circular economy model for precipitated silica wastes. The LIFE ZEROSILIBRINE project aims to apply an innovative technology for the treatment of precipitated silica wastes, an environmental challenge with no feasible current solution. The project has the following objectives: Demonstrate technical feasibility of reverse osmosis stage with 40 m3/h installation recovering 80% volume of the production process effluent of precipitated silica, reusing the water recovered in the same production process. Validate the operating costs of the reverse osmosis process and the economic feasibility of the manufacture of high-purity anhydrous [...]

An innovative reclaimed water system based on separation and disinfection processes to reduce the environmental impact of the meat industry. The ElectroBioSafe project develops an innovative system for cleaning and disinfecting livestock transport trucks using reclaimed water and new sustainable products. The main objective is to replace the current system with a more efficient and environmentally friendly one. Eurecat participates in the ElectroBioSafe project through its Water, Air and Soil (WAS) Unit, in charge of: Obtaining, at slaughterhouse level, regenerated water suitable for cleaning livestock transport trucks. Evaluating the proposed water regeneration process at pilot plant [...]

Social innovation to renew multi-level and cross-sectoral water governance. The InnWater project responds to the need to find sustainable solutions for arbitrating water uses that take into account the realities of the field facing the challenges of climate change. The strength of the project lies in the close collaboration with the five pilot sites on Réunion Island (France), Brenta (Italy), Figueres (Spain), West Country (United Kingdom) and Middle Tisza (Hungary). The challenge is to progressively expand the target group of the pilot sites to develop a community of practice on the new modes of governance adapted [...]

Next generation of battery reverse logistics. The BatteReverse project develops a more efficient and universal method for battery discharge and first diagnosis. BatteReverse improves the safety of Li-ion batteries transportation by developing safety packaging with a monitoring system that can reduce thermal runaway risk. The project also boosts more advanced and precise methods for automated dismantling and sorting of battery components based on a safe and more efficient human-robot collaboration. In addition, BatteReverse develops a more precise and faster Remaining Useful Life assessment of battery modules for second-life applications based on acoustic testing and machine learning [...]

Development of an overarching framework to achieve sustainable desalination strategies. The SUSTDESALT project tackles the environmental and economic issues related to using conventional reverse osmosis (RO) for desalting highly saline streams, recovering raw materials, and obtaining fresh water from non-conventional sources. For that, the project overcomes different challenges through the following objectives: low energy requirements, high water recoveries, low brine generation, and achieving brine valorisation and material recovery. SUSTDESALT studies new promising technologies using membrane processes to treat several non-conventional streams, such as industrial saline wastewaters, brackish groundwater, and seawater. The concept of SUSTDESALT is based on the belief that mining minerals [...]

Development and demonstration of advanced membrane materials for pervaporation, gas separation and membrane distillation technologies, setting the basis for future commercialisation of greener technological pathways all along the value chain. By using advanced tools and by taking a holistic approach, MEASURED tackles the sustainability challenges of the chemical industry coming from waste streams, water footprints, energy efficiency and industrial emissions. MEASURED includes thorough multiscale modelling and simulation techniques, including a full Life Cycle Assessment, and addresses the societal implications to increase the acceptance and further market readiness. Eurecat participates in the MEASURED project through their Water, Air [...]

Investigation of unknown disinfection by-products and exhaustive characterisation of the formation of those already known. With the results, commercial methods will be developed to quantify and reduce these by-products to avoid negative effects on human health. During the project, three case studies are carried out to promote the characterisation of water quality, develop new treatment methods and improve the management of water distribution networks to maintain a high quality of drinking water. This includes all processes, from the water source, through treatment and distribution. Climate change poses major challenges for Europe's drinking water supply. With the [...]

The SALWATERTWIN project aims to conceptually design and validate, at a laboratory level, a small-scale, low-consumption semi-autonomous plant decentralised from general water distribution networks and infrastructures to treat the problem of salinity in groundwater. This plant incorporates a digital twin that allows intelligent and efficient management, considering all the parameters that may occur in a real environment. The project includes two phases: a first for research and a second for the development of a pilot that allows it to operate on a small scale and demonstrate the technical and economic viability of the technological solution. This [...]

Practical training to facilitate the implementation of the One Health approach through the very early detection of pathogenic organisms and emerging contaminants in wastewater. OneHealthWatch will develop a hands-on training program to facilitate the implementation of the One Health approach through harmonised and standardised monitoring of emerging pathogens and contaminants in wastewater from different regions. In this way, the European Union will be helped to achieve its sustainability goals towards a pollution-free environment. The project focuses on the first phase of contaminants detection (viruses, pharmaceuticals, illegal drugs, antibiotics and pesticides), which will allow a rapid implementation [...]