DEEP PURPLE hosts ECOSTEP PRE-CONFERENCE 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