RENEW. Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology
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REsource recovery of the future: water reuse for NEW bioplastics with tunable lifespan |
Treated urban wastewater is a massive untapped resource, with 150 million m³ produced daily in the EU. RENEW transforms this effluent into a valuable feedstock. By using residual nutrients to grow cyanobacteria, we produce Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) — a 100% biodegradable bioplastic.
The Innovation: Breaking the Stability Barrier
Traditional bioplastic production from wastewater often faces process instability. RENEW overcomes these challenges through cutting-edge engineering and molecular science:
- Advanced Process Engineering: We implement a unique setup using ultrafiltration membranes to concentrate biomass efficiently and ensure a steady production flow.
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Real-time Microbiome Monitoring: Using flow cytometry, we monitor microbial communities in real-time to maintain stability despite the high variability of urban wastewater environments.
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Deep Metabolic Insight: We apply multi-omics (metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics) to unravel the cellular triggers that activate PHA production, optimizing efficiency at a fundamental level.
Why RENEW?
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Circular Economy: We eliminate the need for clean water and expensive substrates. Our process captures CO2, produces O2, and recovers nutrients that would otherwise be lost to the environment.
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Low Energy: Unlike commercial production, RENEW uses natural sunlight; eliminating energy-intensive aeration and reducing the carbon footprint of biomanufacturing.
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Environmental Safety: Micropollutant removal to ensure that the final bioplastic product meets the highest safety and quality standards.
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Tunable Solutions: Bioplastics with lifespan adapted to industrial needs, allowing us to program exactly how and when the plastic degrades.
- RENEW towards market adoption
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RENEW bridges the gap between lab research and industrial reality. By evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts, we facilitate the transition to large-scale implementation. We actively engage with stakeholders and end-users to ensure our circular bioplastic solutions meet real-world market demands.
News
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We are excited to announce that RENEW has officially secured funding through the Water4All Partnership (EU Joint Transnational Call 2024).
RENEW: Project Launch!
