15 MULTIDISCIPLINARY ACTORS FROM 8 DIFFERENT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

BIOAZUL services thus include improvement of the technical/ economic performance of existing plants and integration of state-of-the-art technologies for retrofitting obsolete installations or for their energetic optimization. The company has designed, constructed and tested numerous pilot plants and prototypes for several EU research and demonstration projects such as WACOSYS, PURATREAT, ALGATEC, ALGATECII, TREAT&USE and NAWATECH in the fields of wastewater treatment and reuse (municipal and industrial), food wastes (solid and liquid mainly coming from the agro-food industry) and biomass production (for energy purposes). Consequently, it is a highly suitable partner to design and construct the wastewater systems to be installed in Water2Return (i.e. reverse osmosis and ion exchange columns).

In addition to BIOAZUL’s technical expertise in developing eco-innovative water solutions, the company has assumed the role of general or administrative coordinator of several national and international research projects (Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia) and has thus gained a deep understanding of all administrative and financial procedures for the successful management of private and public funded R&D&I projects. For instance, BIOAZUL has been partner, administrative coordinator and general coordinator of more than 25 EU projects within the FP6, the FP7, the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation and in the current H2020 programme. BIOAZUL’s demonstrated capacity to successfully and efficiently manage and coordinate EU-projects is a confirmation of their capability to lead the Water2Return consortium towards effective, time-bound implementation of the project goals.

By coordinating the Water2Return project, BIOAZUL expects to find new developments and applications for of its technology, as well as to widen its product portfolio and become a key supplier of water treatment solutions in the field of water reuse and nutrients recovery for slaughterhouses, and in particular the supplier for Water2Return technology which it is expected to reach the market after the project ends. The company can thus establish itself as a market leader in this field.

BIOAZUL is member of the European Water Platform (http://wsstp.eu),  the EIP Water Action Group: WIRE- Water & Irrigated agriculture Resilient Europe (AG112) (www.eip-water.eu/WIRE), the NEREUS COST ACTION (www.nereus-cost.eu) on a multidisciplinary network of experts on the challenges on wastewater reuse, the Cluster Andalucía Smart Cities (www.andaluciasmartcity.com) and the Food for Life Platform (http://www.chil.org/agroindustria/group/plataforma-tecnologica-espanola-de-los-alimentos).

Last but not least, BIOAZUL signed in April 2013 the United Nation Global Compact (www.unglobalcompact.org), a call to companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals.

In last years the group has developed an intense activity of technology transfer to agribusinesses, with 5 patents for various biotechnological processes. The patent in which Water2REturn is based in P201131423 ES/2 "Procedure for obtaining bio-fertilizers and bio-stimulants and Agriculture animal feed" in joint venture with Heineken Spain, and “Procedure for obtaining Bio-stimulants from agro-industrial waste: P200500207”.

As well as substantial publications, in the field of use of enzyme technology in the revaluation of waste and the production of functional foods. Moreover, the research group has participated in 18 research projects granted by different agencies at regional, national and international level (Regional Government of Andalucia, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Environment, European Union). The experience gained through the market oriented work performed in 18 research contracts with private companies such as Heineken Spain, Azucarera Española, EGMASA, Pevesa, NBT,  Alfocam, Integrales Inoxidables, etc. , gives the researches a clear picture on how to develop marketable solutions as the one foreseen in Water2REturn.

The majority of the basic and applied research carried out at present at the TMA Group is focused on Environmental Technologies for the reduction or elimination of liquid and solid waste pollution branching out into multiple fields of study. These comprise from the conception, design and development to the piloting of technologies for their industrial scaling. The following actions can be highlighted: biological treatment of water and waste by means of aerobic and anaerobic processes, including pre-treatments, methanogenic (biomethanisation) digestion and codigestion, and acidogenic digestion and co-digestion to promote the generation of bio-H2, and the characterisation and monitoring of microbial populations in biological processes.

The extensive and varied training of the human team which comprises the TMA Group gives it its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary character and a great capacity for operation and performance when undertaking its environmental services and research. Hence, the aims of TMA Group include the training of students for their incorporation into the labour market through labour contracts, the collaborating in solving environmental problems faced by businesses and Public Bodies, helping Businesses and Public Bodies to adapt, with advantageous competitive conditions, to the new demands of European and national regulations, and the contribution to companies industrial development and environmental technological transfer by applied research and technological development.

CENTA has more than 25 years of research experience in wastewater treatment and water reuse for small communities, rural areas and decentralised treatment, with a particular focus on natural systems with low energy consumption and small technical requirements. CENTA’s infrastructures and experience have allowed it to become a reference centre for applied research in water treatment and reuse in southern Spain, carrying out multiple collaborative R&D projects with both academic institutions and innovative companies. Moreover, CENTA acts as a platform for technology and knowledge validation and transference, and it is considered an active living lab in the water sector.

CENTA also provides technical assistance to authorities in Spain on water treatment and reuse and participates in international cooperation projects in Latin America, North Africa, Middle East and India. In addition, international projects, events and training programmes are continuously developed.

In the last 10 years, CENTA has participated and, in some occasions, led several European projects under the frame of different funding programmes: INTERREG III-B Programme (DEPURANAT and ICREW), POCTEFEX (Campus EAgua and PRAVEMA), FP6 (MELIA), FP7 (NOVIWAM, SARASWATI), INTERREG SUDOE (4KET4Reuse), INTERREG POCTEP (IDIaqua, SECASOL) and H2020 (iMETland, Urban GreenUP, Water2Return).

CENTA is member of the EIP Water Action Group: MEET-ME4WATER - Meeting Microbial Electrochemistry for water (AG110) and is member of various water platforms such as WsstP, PLANETA and International Water Association (IWA).

As a summary, it can be said that homogenous products obtained following non-homogeneous products obtained following agriculture pathways results in non-homogeneous efficacy of its application.

KIMITEC has a long history of scientific and technical collaborations Spanish Research Centres and Universities.  Within CSIC, The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spain and the third largest in Europe, University of Seville, University of Córdoba, University of Salamanca, Polytechnic University in Valencia, AIMPLAS - Technological Institute of Plastic and CECT - Spanish Type Culture Collection (University of Valencia).

The hard work done in the development and commercialization of plant nutrition and crop protection products has led to the current company portfolio with more than 200 products which include: fertilizers and plant nutrition products, specialty fertilizers, organic matter, amino acids and biostimulants and biofertilizers among others.

KIMITEC success is also driven by the company vocation and efforts done in internationalisation, having commercial activities in 70 countries, being active in the most important and influenced areas in terms of agricultural production, highlighting Brazil, United States, Mexico, Peru, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Jordan and Kenya, among others. A Business to Business (B2B) area was created to meet the demands of distributors/importers that looked for an exclusive product or any improvement in an existing leading product in the market.

KIMITEC is currently offering eco-innovative and competitive tailor made solutions on plant nutrition to clients, based on their demands for conventional and organic agriculture uses. Their organic products are certified according to different international standards such as BCS (under regulations USDA/NOP-Final rule (USA) 205.203 (b) and JAS Japanese Agricultural Standard for Organic Agricultural Products (Japan) Notification 1605, for North and South America, Asia and Europe), SOHISCERT (CE889/2008 for Europe) and PRO-CERT (CANP-3G. Accreditation to this effect was first received from the Standards Council of Canada on November 28, 2001 for Canadian).

KIMITEC can be classified as high-growth enterprise according to the OECD definition: “average annualised growth in turnover or employees greater than 20% a year, over a three-year period, and with ten or more employees at the beginning of the observation period” (OECD, 2012). This growth in the last years with regards to turnover is much higher than 20%. Regarding the number of employees, it is also steady growing in the last years, 20% from 2012 to 2014. It is worth to mention that currently 40% of the KIMITEC staff are women. The production and market penetration of the new products results of Water2REturn proposal, would even increase the current high growth percentages.

KIMITEC is member of the following associations: ASEBIO (Spanish Association of Biocompanies) and NANOSPAIN (Spanish Network of Nanotechnology).

After installation, the experienced and qualified team guarantees the maintenance of the sold plants. More recently, the company is also entering in the market of gas treatment, aiming the valorization of the biogas to produce a high-value product, the hydrogen. In its laboratory, Adventech owns pilot units that allows optimization studies of anaerobic digestion for different effluents and catalytic oxidation reactions for hydrogen production from methane.

Adventech was founded by 2 engineers with strong field expertise in the design of technologies for wastewater treatment (Sergio C. Silva and Paulo G. Nunes) and 2 others working exclusively in leading R&D laboratories from recognized Universities in Portugal dealing with environmental technologies (Adrián M.T. Silva and Rui C. Martins). The result was a solid company presenting state-of-the-art technologies to the market which are designed and tailored for each industrial application. This has been possible with a deep understanding on the operation of these processes and with a clear mission of the company to develop enhanced and upgraded processes. Adventech is a recent company but the expertise of their founders was a key factor that brought Adventech faster to the market. Commercial partners are spread around the globe from countries like USA, Germany, Holland, Spain, United Kingdom, Finland, France, Belgium and, of course, Portugal.

AlgEn is focused at engineering and integration activities in the area of algal technology. This includes Spirulina test production (600 m2) and algal (or algal bacterial) biomass production in pilot and demonstration waste water treatment plants. Present R&D is focused on biogas digestate treatment using algal bacterial process for recycling nutrients, CO₂ and producing algal biomass for various uses, including biogas feedstock. This was the core of the AlgaeBioGas project (Eco-innovation pilot and market replication project) in scope of which AlgaeBioGas demonstration centre was established in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Demo centre is being upgraded as part of SaltGae project, which started in June 2016. Main objective of SaltGae project is treatment of saline wastewaters. Apart from algal waste water treatment systems, AlgEn is currently working on high grade Spirulina production facility in Italy (1000m², to be extended to 5000m² in the future). AlgEn operates a modestly equipped lab for photobioreactor testing, culture growth and analysis. Some pilot plant construction and operation is facilitated by own electronics and mechanical workshop, with many activities also outsourced to partners. Some software development is done in-house. AlgEn is strongly connected to many academic and commercial institutions and regularly works in cooperative projects. Occasionally AlgEn hosts educational activities connected to algae technology.

The common denominator of all academic and scientific disciplines at the Biotechnical Faculty is natural resources (soil, physical space, flora, fauna, and water).

Center for Soil and Environmental Sciences (CSES) is a leading national institution in soil science (pedology) closely linked to studies in agronomy and environment protection. It has dedicated laboratories for soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. For performing the tasks planned in the proposed project CSES (in the frames of BF) has experiences in conducting experiments using climate controlled plant growth chambers, greenhouses for pot experiments, a greenhouse with small experimental race-wave ponds for algae growing linked to hydroponic growth of higher plants, and experimental outdoor fields for crop trials with needed farm machinery and trained technicians.

Development of market analysis, business plan and exploitation plan: studies (elaborated at European scale and outside EU) for innovative products, technical solutions and systems are focused on market trends, market profitability and distribution channels. ENCO conducts market surveys with potential customers, Desk analysis, SWOT analysis, identifying economic, legislative and behavioural barriers, customer segments analysis and competitor analysis, market feasibility studies and Risk analysis. Moreover, ENCO develops Business strategies, quantitative assessment of pricing and cost-benefit analysis, identifying Capital and Operational Costs..

Communication and dissemination strategies: developing action plans for dissemination and communication activities; identifying targets, tools and actions to be implemented; developing tailor made campaign to raise audience’s awareness on the project rationale, activities and results; identifying and selecting events, workshops and meetings; organizing information and dissemination events; producing publications, newsletters, brochures, leaflets, promotional and marketing materials; setting up and managing project website, participating in relevant events and exploiting institutional communication channels; building a broader community around the project topics.

ENCO, as an experienced business consulting company and with a long involvement in the management of international and national projects, in carrying out market analysis and in developing and implementing dissemination and exploitation plans, ENCO has joined the consortium to support the full deployment of the project outputs and results. To achieve this, a set of activities has been planned in order to carry out Water2Return primary goals’ – the successful market uptake of WW technology and recycled products.

2B is the Italian reseller for the LCA software SimaPro, and is part of a worldwide LCA network of over 20 partners. 2B has experience in various sectors, like energy, waste, packaging, chemistry, agriculture/food, water management, paper and pulp, ceramics, furniture and buildings. 2B is active both in Italy and abroad with clients in many industrial sectors, public administration and more than 30 Italian universities. 2B is an Associate Member of the European Virtual Institute for Integrated Risk Management (EU-VRi). Besides the environmental and economic impacts and benefits, also the social aspects will be investigated in the Water2Return project.

The UECBV’s mission is to facilitate the development of an environment in which all EU livestock traders and meat companies (livestock markets, traders - cattle, horses, sheep, pigs-; slaughterhouses; cutting plants; meat preparation plants; meat whole traders; importers and exporters) can meet the needs of consumers and society, while competing effectively for sustainable growth. UECBV counts 55 national or regional federations in 24 out of the 28 Member States of the European Union, but also in Morocco, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey. In total, some 20,000 firms of all sizes and over 230,000 jobs are represented within the UECBV and its national and international federations.

UECBV provides expertise based on scientific research, robust data management and effective communication, working within the regulatory framework. UECBV promotes its members’ interests in areas such as: agriculture, health and consumers, trade, industry and EU funded research projects, climate change and environment, competition, social affairs and customs union, indirect taxation.

UECBV’s permanent secretariat, based in Brussels, maintains close contacts with European and international institutions and holds a key role in public consultations on all issues affecting Europe’s meat industry. UECBV secretariat coordinates the work of its experts through in sections and committees tackling meat industry, international trade and livestock issues.

When required, an EU meat sector expert working group can draft a position paper on key issues which, once approved, are communicated to European and international decision-makers aiming at shaping legislative and non-legislative developments impacting on the industry.

ISITEC’s small but highly innovative and qualified team, consisting of 8 employees among 4 are electric engineers and 2 are technicians, has years of professional experience in research and development as well as manufacture of complete, customized technical systems for diverse customer needs. Since process automation is proceeding and constant interconnection to other subordinate systems is required, ISITEC constantly develops new automation systems and modifies, upgrades and adjusts existing ones as well.  ISITEC’s involvement in business projects often includes participation in every step of the “technology supply chain” from project analysis and early concept development of the right technical systems to choosing, assembling, programming, installing and maintaining the fitted system components.  Additionally, ISITEC produces custom-made electronic circuitries and microcontrollers along with the required software so that innovative solutions for all kinds of digital measuring and control systems can be found. Upon request, the company can also install advanced visualization technologies providing convenient operation and monitoring of automated systems. Naturally, maintenance and reparation services of their systems are also part of ISITEC’s product and services portfolio. ISITEC has participated in a number of national and European projects, such as TREAT & USE and ALGATEC (I and II), utilizing its deep technical knowledge and expertise in the development of customized automation solutions for diverse applications.

Due to ISITEC’s demonstrated capacity to develop and manufacture customized automation software, control units, sophisticated measurement tools and other technical solutions for several customer-oriented applications, the company is highly qualified to fulfil its envisaged role within the RichWater project, i.e. the development of the control module of the RichWater system, designed to enable a harmonious interaction between the monitoring as well as the fertigation module in order to achieve optimal response of the system to plant requirements (e.g. by controlling and monitoring the dosage pumps, injection pumps, mixing station, distributor, fertilizer dosage, wastewater quality etc.). For ISITEC, its involvement in the project allows it to yet again demonstrate its expertise in developing adequate hardware and software solutions for diverse automation applications, to widen its project portfolio and business network, and establish itself as a trusted partner in the field of automation and control systems on national and European markets.

Exergy’s approach is based on a collaborative and innovative model where citizens, businesses and governments are a fundamental piece of its sustainable value chain. The technologies are developed through R&D efforts, that once proved, are incorporated in the products and services maintaining a dynamic and always cutting-edge value.

The Sustainable Process Platform provide engineering support to the industry and SMEs from concept design to scale-up and commercialisation of industrial biotechnology, biorefining and circular projects. Their technology focus is in the development of biochemicals, biofuels, renewable technologies and products, including feedstock and waste valorisations. Exergy also offers in-depth techno-economic and other analysis to support their clients with business and strategy development, positioning and other issues. They assess technical and commercial prospects based on our technical insight, market understanding, and technology and system modelling.

Exergy is member of the A.SPIRE – the European Association which is committed to manage and implement the SPIRE Public-Private Partnership – and BIC – the Bio-based Industries Consortium, the private partner in the Public-Private Partnership on Bio-based Industries with the EU –.

The efficiency of the organisation relies on its ability to gather together rural actors, land and forest managers, scientists, businesses, and political decision makers at local, regional, national and European levels. Its network of more than 64 organisations throughout Europe represents several million land and forest managers and has the ability to voice positions shared by a huge number of stakeholders from all over the EU and candidate countries, as well as to analyse the local effects of implementation of EU legislation. ELO has unrivalled experience in Natura 2000 network implementation, CAP, soil, water, innovation, forestry issues, and countryside management. ELO has been advising its members, farmers and land managers on Natura 2000 implementation and had gained significant experience in this area. ELO is regularly invited to EC working groups and debates, Directors meetings, and organises high level conferences focusing on Natura 2000, environmental services, CAP, estates/countryside management at EU and national level.

ELO has been co-organising for the Forum for the Future of Agriculture (FFA) www.forumforagriculture.com 8 years, which is a unique event advancing discussions on food, environmental and energy security, attended by more than 1600 people and international press.ELO is also developing the Wildlife Estates programme and Pollinator Network initiative in EU in collaboration with academics, ministries and stakeholders.

The ELO network, covering the 28 EU countries, will ensure a wide diffusion of the project results even after it comes to an end. During ELO seminars and events (an average of 2 events/month in Brussels or in Member States, gathering 40 to 300 attendees, and up to 1600 attendees for the major event FFA), the communication materials will be disseminated to farmers, landowners, land and forest managers and rural entrepreneurs, and to the most relevant stakeholders that ELO developed has links with. ELO will also use its existing social networks to disseminate the information to a wider audience, and its bimonthly “CountrySide Magazine” (5000 paper copies in EN/FR, and summaries in DE/ES, in addition to the electronic version, with an estimated readership of 30,000).

ELO will also provide information to the other umbrella organizations belonging to topical alliances ELO is member of (Rural Coalition, Property Alliance, Natura 2000 Users Forum), and provide information to the relevant European Parliament intergroups such as the URBAN intergroup or the Sustainable Hunting, Biodiversity, Countryside Activities, Agriculture and Forestry Intergroup.