Author: Deep Purple

In March 2024, the University of Brunel teamed up with alchemia-nova for a workshop exploring the exciting world of bio-based technologies, with a special focus on self-healing concrete and public acceptance.

The event kicked off with alchemia-nova presenting the DEEP PURPLE project. They showcased various demonstration sites and explained how they extract valuable compounds like PHA, ectoine, and cellulose with PPB from municipal bio-waste and convert them into five valuable bio-based products.

Following this, Brunel University took center stage, unveiling their innovative self-healing concrete technology. This technology utilizes resources recovered from mixed urban waste streams.

The workshop wasn’t just presentations – it was a conversation starter. Industry experts and stakeholders engaged in discussions designed to explore the potential of these technologies. Most attendees were familiar with recovered cellulosic sludge, a byproduct of wastewater treatment. Stakeholders brainstormed a range of potential uses, including:

• Construction: Self-healing concrete, insulation panels, acoustic tiles, and composite boards
• Plastics Industry
•  Paper Industry
• Biofuels
  While self-healing materials weren’t entirely new to the audience, the specifics generated a lot of interest. People generally felt comfortable with well-researched and standardized construction materials. However, some concerns arose regarding the long-term survival and potential mutation of bacteria used in self-healing products. This highlighted the need for further research to ensure safety.

While the potential of these technologies is undeniable, several hurdles stand in the way of widespread adoption. Cost remains a major concern, especially for self-healing concrete. The discussion highlighted a number of challenges that need to be addressed: limited public awareness and education, navigating regulatory hurdles, overcoming technical limitations like weaker concrete caused by poor bonding with certain materials, and ensuring a cost-competitive supply chain with proper infrastructure and workforce skills. Additionally, concerns regarding long-term performance and the need for substantial data to validate the effectiveness of these materials were raised.

The good news? Stakeholders and experts emphasized the importance of balancing environmental benefits with performance optimization. By using recovered sludge, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and even sequester carbon, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable construction industry.

Beyond competitive pricing, the workshop suggested that policymakers could play a crucial role. Similar to incentives offered to the petroleum and gas industries, subsidies or tax breaks could be introduced to offset costs and encourage the use of sustainable materials.

This workshop shone a light on the immense potential of recovered cellulosic sludge and its role in creating sustainable infrastructure through innovative materials like self-healing concrete. Addressing concerns like pricing, technical limitations, and policy support will be crucial for widespread adoption in the construction industry. After all, using recovered materials offers a clear path towards a more sustainable future, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, conserved resources, and less waste ending up in landfills.

Stakeholders present at the workshop

On the 26th of June 2023, the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) organized a pre-conference workshop at the 6th International Water Association (IWA) ecoSTP 2023 Conference. The topic of the pre-conference workshop was “Urban Biorefineries for a Circular Bioeconomy“. This workshop served as a platform for multifaceted dialogue on the urban biorefinery concept, designed to transform urban waste into energy and valuable resources. All members of the DEEP PURPLE project attended the workshop, and technical partners presented their results. Additionally, the workshop was open to other researchers and the public for abstract submissions. The call for abstracts on the DEEP PURPLE webpage was well-received, and the event garnered attention on social networks.

The workshop’s agenda focused on exploring the latest advancements in repurposing and recycling urban waste into high-value products, contributing to a sustainable society. It aimed to create a nexus among the scientific community, academia, industry experts, and administrative bodies, providing a collaborative platform to share, discuss, and promote initiatives aligned with the European Green Deal and the Horizon 2030 framework.

Tailored to both junior and senior researchers, technologists, and industry professionals, the workshop facilitated a rich exchange of knowledge and fostered collaborative networks for future endeavors.

The event commenced with an introduction by Daniel Puyol from URJC, followed by a compelling presentation by Victor Monsalvo of Aqualia, who discussed the Deep Purple Project’s innovative urban waste treatment and resource recovery strategies.

The series of presentations highlighted various aspects of the Deep Purple Project. Daniel Puyol and Patricia Zamora from URJC and Aqualia, respectively, covered the development of purple bacteria-based wastewater treatment technology. Elise Rethore from Centre Mondial de l’Innovation – Roullier detailed the production of organic fertilizers, while Raul Muñoz from the University of Valladolid provided insights into ectoine production. Mizi Fan from Brunel University and Daniele Turati from Novamont discussed the potential for creating construction materials and biopolymers from urban waste, marking a step towards sustainable material development.

A keynote speech by Ana Soares from Cranfield University added significant depth to the proceedings.

The first open session, “Novel Processes and Technologies in Urban Biorefineries,” featured Joan Garcia from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and other studies, such as the impact of PET degradation products on bacterial metabolism and resource recovery from vegetable beverage industry by-products.

The afternoon’s second open session on “Sustainability, Marketability, and Industrialization of Urban Biorefineries” began with Martín Santos from REPSOL S.A. and continued with discussions on the environmental impact of biopolymers and the efficiency of the carboxylate platform for chain elongation.

A round table discussion concluded the workshop, addressing the opportunities and challenges in creating new value chains in urban biorefineries.

Details of the workshop and the presentation can be found by downloading this document Urban Biorefineries for a Circular Bioeconomy