Former rector and professor of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and former Minister for Universities, Research and Society of the Catalan Government, Solà is an expert in Experimental Economics, Behaviour Economics, Organizational Behaviour, Business Economics and Behavioural Finance.
Objective 1
Upscale the production of a valuable bio-based product from the residues of wastewater treatment
Demonstrate an innovative spin-off from granular sludge produced in wastewater treatment at a large scale, whilst producing market valued bio-based alginate-like polymers (Kaumera)
Objective 2
Develop a sustainable method of extracting phosphate from wastewater
Demonstrate cost-effective recovery of phosphate from wastewater treatment effluent or surface water to ultra-low effluent concentrations
Objective 3
Design new methods for ensuring energy-efficient nutrient recovery from wastewater
Demonstrate the effectiveness of anaerobic membrane bioreactors and partial nitrification/annamox treatment, coupled with nutrient recovery technologies to recover energy, water and other valuable materials from the main water stream in municipal wastewater treatment plants, while extracting high-quality water to be reused for industrial and/or agricultural purposes
Objective 4
Develop Zero-Liquid-Discharge loop systems for pollution-free industrial wastewater
Demonstrate the reutilisation of water and materials (chlorine, salts) through the Zero-Liquid-Discharge closed loop systems that prevent pollution and significantly reduce water, energy and resource consumption in the industrial environment
Objective 5
Promote innovative circular economy business models within the wastewater cycle
Create innovative circular economy business models (with a focus on the services economy), promoting new forms of collaboration between suppliers and material end-users
Objective 6
Attract public and private funding for follow-up investments and upscaling
Mobilise private funding through public-private partnerships, by building framework agreements between relevant stakeholders (including technology suppliers, industries and public actors) for follow-up investments to upscale implementation
Objective 7
Increase public awareness and encourage the involvement of key actors in water management services
Improve citizens' and stakeholders' understanding and trust through active involvement in the circular water economy and bring circular water systems to public attention, using advanced information and communication tools to prove the opportunities that come with closing the water use cycle
Objective 8
Develop new policy measures to implement WATER-MINING's innovative methods
Design and test both national and European policy and regulatory measures to adopt WATER-MINING technologies while addressing market failure (business, financing, consumption) and policy failures (pricing, conflicts, assumptions, unintended consequences)
Advisory Board
Carles Solà
UAB (ES)
Paul O'Callaghan
BlueTech Research (IE)
Since 2011, O’Callaghan is the Founder of BlueTech Research, supporting technological advances in water management and identifying solutions to provide clean water and safe sanitation to all. Currently, O’Callaghan works with international corporations to develop their water management strategies, carrying out market analysis, competitive benchmarking and technology due diligence.
Linda Macpherson
New Water ReSources (USA)
Macpherson is the Founder of New Water ReSources, which acts as a vehicle for changing people’s thinking and behaviour in relation to water use and reuse. Linda currently is assists governments, utilities, service districts, and professional associations around the world to communicate with stakeholders about sustainable water management and reuse.
Dionysia Avgerinopoulou
Hellenic Parliament (GR)
Avgerinopoulou is a Greek politician working on environmental issues. She currently serves in the Greek Parliament as the Chairperson for the Special Permanent Committee of Environmental Protection. Previously, she served the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO) and held the role of Head of Water of the Energy and Environment Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris (France).
Neelke Doorn
TU Delft (NL)
Doorn is a distinguished Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Professor of Ethics of Water Engineering in the Department of Ethics and Philosophy of Technology, and Director of Education of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. Doorn holds master’s degrees in Civil Engineering (TU Delft 1997, cum laude), Philosophy (Leiden 2005, cum laude), and Law (Open University 2016, cum laude). In May 2011, she obtained her PhD degree from the TU Delft for her thesis on Moral Responsibility in R&D Networks.
Leland R. Widger
Cargill Salt (USA)
With a PhD in synthetic organic and bioinorganic chemistry, Widger is a Senior Researcher at Cargill Salt where he is responsible for the development and commercialisation of innovative products and processes related to food, water quality, road safety and industrial salt market and businesses worldwide.
Paul Eijsbouts
SABIC (NL/Saudi Arabia)
Eijsbouts is the Process Team Leader at SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). SABIC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemicals, fertilisers, plastics, metals, silicones and glass-fibre reinforced polymer sheets. Eijsbouts previously served as Coordinator of the Brine Recovery project (LIFE06 ENV/NL/000178), where he contributed to the recovery of 73% of the salt, and saved 75% of indirect energy.
Joyce Tait
Edinburgh University (UK)
As the Founding Director of the Innogen Institute, Tait has an interdisciplinary background linking natural and social sciences with particular interests in the development of advanced innovative technologies to deliver both economic and social benefits. Over the course of her career she has worked on strategic planning for innovation, governance, risk management, regulation and standards, and stakeholder attitudes and influences.
Cristinel Deregatu
EUROPIREN (NL)
With a PhD in chemical engineering and experience in water treatment, Deregatu carries out research for EUROPIREN’s Rotterdam laboratory, exploring synthetic magnesium hydroxide with a higher purity than brucite, which can be used in applications where brucite (a natural mineral) cannot.
Corinne Van Voorden
CWCE, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (NL)
As Innovation Advisor for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Van Voorden supports companies, knowledge institutes, governmental and non-governmental parties to develop multidisciplinary European water, climate action and circular economy projects. She advises on strategic partnerships, innovation and European funding. She holds degrees in Engineering Management and Social Sciences, and previously worked for engineering and consulting companies on water business projects.
Koen de Kruif
DCMR Environmental Protection Agency (NL)
De Kruif is an environmental scientist in the field of water pollution and energy. For the past 20 years he has worked for the DCMR regional environmental protection agency, as a Senior Advisor in sustainability and environmental quality in the field of international relations. Since 2015, he has also worked on circular economy issues, working towards increased sustainability within industry and small and medium-sized enterprises, decreasing barriers and improving awareness and investment.
Frans Goorman
NEDMAG B.V.(NL)
Goorman is Senior Advisor and Business Development Manager at NEDMAG B.V. a company that produces high-quality dead burned magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium hydroxide, which is sold across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Partners
Related projects
FAQs
WATER-MINING is a research and innovation project that develops energy-efficient technologies for treating wastewater from urban and industrial areas and from desalination, whilst promoting the extraction of valuable products from the residues generated during the process.
The project is called WATER-MINING because as well as identifying sustainable methods for treating wastewater and obtaining alternatives sources of usable water, the project does so while recovering (or mining) valuable products from the residues generated during the process.
The project started on the 1st September 2020 and lasts for four years, until the 31st August 2024. With a total budget of 19.1 million euros the project is partially by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, with a contribution of 16.9 million euros.
The project is coordinated by the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands, and brings together 38 public and private partners and four linked third parties from 12 countries across Europe.
The project expects to develop innovative technologies for: 1) a more energy-efficient and less polluting desalination process, 2) more sustainable techniques for extracting valuable products from urban wastewater residues such as phosphates and other bio-based valuables products, and 3) producing pollution-free industrial wastewater through a Zero-Liquid-Discharge loop system.
As well as these innovative methodologies, the project aims to increase public awareness about water management, promote new circular economy business models within the wastewater cycle, attract public and private funding for the upscaling of the methodologies developed, and develop adequate policy and regulatory measures to support the implementation of the methodologies developed.
By identifying new sources of usable water, the project increases access to clean water and sanitation to all, a basic right that benefits every citizen. In addition, administrative bodies that are interested in improving their water management may also be interested in the outcomes of the project, positively impacting those who live in their regions.
Finally, the project offers business opportunities for SMEs and other companies with interest in implementing the project?s methodologies and joining the market generated by these new sources of bio-based valuable products.
One of the project’s main objectives is to create new circular economy business models within the wastewater cycle, with the goal of improving the energy efficiency of water management processes, and recovering valuable products from the residues. Following this, the project identifies solutions for their reuse through the creation of a dedicated marketplace where potential producers and buyers of these products can meet and interact.
If you are interested in receiving project updates you can follow us on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube). If you’re interested in announcing upcoming events or news related to WATER-MINING’s areas of interest you can share this with us via our contact form. Finally, if you’d like to contact the project’s management or communications team, please send an email to info@watermining.eu.
A WATER-MINING CoP is a group of diverse experts who share an interest in water issues. Participants in the CoPs interact regularly to exchange knowledge and develop ideas, contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management.
By joining a WATER-MINING CoP you connect with a network of stakeholders including end-users; technology providers, representative from the agriculture, energy and water sectors; regulators; local and regional authorities; and researchers. The CoPs offer the opportunity to build new professional networks, and exchange knowledge with this diverse group of experts. Furthermore, being involved in an EU project?s CoP can improve your professional visibility in an international context. For more information, get in touch through our contact form.
WATER-MINING?s CoPs offer the chance to share your knowledge and ideas, and discuss the water issues and solutions addressed by the CoP during their regular meetings. Furthermore, through the CoPs participants can join and contribute to knowledge exchange activities organised by the project.