project partners – who we are
CETAQUA (PROJECT COORDINATOR)
Cetaqua is a network of water technology centers based on a unique public-private partnership model. We offer innovative solutions that ensure that the complete water cycle is sustainable and efficient at all stages. We are always connected with the territory, understanding local needs to meet global challenges and ensure economic, environmental and social growth.
Cetaqua coordinates the whole project and is responsible for WP1, focusing on characterising the industrial wastewater streams and the energy needs of each study case, and designing the pilot plants and the virtual industrial case studies.
Cetaqua wants to gain knowledge and develop new treatment trains for zero-liquid discharge to save water and help make the industry sector more efficient and sustainable. In addition, all knowledge gained will be transferred to Veolia to help deploy their technologies with additional industrial partners.
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BLOOM
Bloom Biorenewables is a cleantech Swiss company focused on sustainable chemistry with the goal to contribute to a greener supply chain and circular economy. Bloom develops innovative technologies to leverage on the maximum potential of native lignin and carbohydrates found in non-edible plant-based biomass by producing high performance renewable materials and fine chemicals.
Within the R3Volution project, Bloom has developed a state-of-the-art biorefinery technology with unprecedented efficiency in lignocellulosic biomass valorization and novel chemistry. The biorefining effluents produced by Bloom’s technology will serve as the bio-based chemical industry demonstration case for the developed membrane system this project. We hope to gain a better understanding and feasibility study on the potential of implementing cutting-edge technology of water treatment and recycling within Bloom biorefineries processes at TRL6 to 7.
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CELSA
Celsa is Europe’s leading producer of circular and low-emission steel and is the largest circular supply chain in Europe. It recycles ferrous scrap to produce steel in electric arc furnaces, using the most sustainable and energy-efficient technology.
The company is made up of 6 business groups. It has 120 work sites, 7 steel mills, 12 rolling mills and 45 recycling plants, as well as transformation and distribution companies, which generate direct, indirect and induced employment for more than 70,000 professionals. It is present in Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Ireland.
The group works to provide solutions to the planet’s main systemic risks: resource depletion and the fight against climate change. The company has therefore set two strategic objectives: to reduce its CO2 emissions by 50% and achieve 98% circularity by 2030 and to complete its circularity and become a Net Positive company with zero waste by 2050.
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CERTH
The Information Technologies Institute (ITI) was founded in 1998 as a non-profit organization under the auspices of the General Secretarial of Research and Technology of Greece, with its head office located in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since 2000 it has been a founding member of the Centre of Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), also supervised by the Greek Secretariat of Research and Technology. ITI is one of the leading Institutions in Greece in the fields of Informatics, Telematics, and Telecommunications.
The Institute has the infrastructure, the experience, and the maturity to intensify its efforts on diffusing its research activities to key stakeholders and using all the necessary mechanisms and tools towards efficiently bringing novel or improved services and products to them through the Institute’s established spin-offs. Specifically, the same actions have been made in recent years through ITI’s collaborations with numerous Institutions in Greece and abroad.
Our role in the project is the lead of Work-Package 3 (digital tool development), the development of explainable AIs (XAIs) methodologies, and a digital twin recommendation system to help simulate use cases based on water treatment in the industry.
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FELIX SCHOELLER
Felix Schoeller, headquartered in Osnabrück/Germany, has been a family-owned company since 1895. With more than 3,700 employees at 19 locations in 11 countries, the company develops, produces and markets specialty papers worldwide for photographic applications, for digital printing systems, for the packaging market, for self-adhesive applications as well as for furniture, wood-based panel and wallpaper industries.
The Weißenborn plant near Freiberg produces photographic and specialty papers for various industries and markets. With a lighthouse project, Felix Schoeller (FS) wants to prove water circular concepts by developing and also implementing strategies for an 80% CO2 reduction by 2030.
In the R3volution project, FS owns the demo site for pulp and paper wastewater streams. The expectation is to gain more basic knowledge and a proof of concept for further investments in real full-stream water treatment. This project is the base to achieve our internal target of closed water circuits until 2035.
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ICONIQ INNOVATION
Iconiq Innovation is an enterprise with businesses based in Ireland, Spain, and the UK with an expanding team spread across Europe. Iconiq provides business consultancy services, covering the entire innovation spectrum from idea conception through to commercialisation, that include securing R&D funding and helping deliver and maximise the impact of project outcomes. Our team includes seasoned Project Managers, scientific writers, and experts in a wide range of topics to cover the complexity of the current R&D landscape.
Within the R3volution project, Iconiq is in charge of supporting all Innovation and Exploitation Management tasks. Our vast experience in R&D projects enables us to deliver high-quality strategies for IP protection and asset exploitation.
Our goal is to help taking the innovations created in this project to the market, delivering value to all partners involved. To achieve this, we aim to liaise with stakeholders to understand the best roads to optimal exploitation.
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IDENER
IDENER is an innovative research and development company specializing in artificial intelligence and process optimization, which has extensive research experience with over 73 EU-funded projects so far. They focus on creating advanced AI solutions for various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and biotechnology.
Within the R3volution project, IDENER is responsible for developing a comprehensive mathematical model of the R3V solution and assessing its replicability across different industries and wastewater streams. The company is also involved in process modeling, calibration, and optimization, as well as the development of the Digital Process Assistant (DPA) tool, including its user interface.
IDENER’s primary goals are to ensure that the R3V solutions are not only technically efficient but also economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Ultimately, IDENER’s contributions are geared towards creating a transformative solution that can be replicated across various industries, significantly impacting EU water management practices in the coming decade.
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IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Imperial College London is a world-class university with a mission to benefit society through excellence in science, engineering, medicine, and business. Imperial is home to around 23,000 students and 8,000 staff and was recently ranked 1st in Europe and 2nd in the world. Imperial’s global collaborations, discoveries, and networks are transforming lives and creating opportunities in the UK and around the world.
Within the R3volution project, ICL leads the techno-economic, the life-cycle, and the social life cycle assessments (TEA, LCA, and sLCA) of Work-Package 5 and the digitalization process task of Work-Package 4. ICL holds expertise in circularity & sustainability assessment and process digitalization techniques, employing the models for process modelling, optimisation, social & environmental & circularity assessment, economic evaluations, and decision-making support. We aim to utilize monitored sensor and lab data to train machine learning models, enabling recommendations to be provided that improve technology performance in response to operational changes. In work package 5, the economic feasibility of R3volution process technologies will be established, and the social, environmental, and circularity impacts will be assessed. ICL aims to implement sensitivity and uncertainty analysis to help technology developers and operators reduce hotspots and optimize performance.
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IKTS FRAUNHOFER
For more than 30 years, Fraunhofer IKTS has demonstrated the potential of ceramic materials in a steadily growing range of applications, such as energy storage, and wastewater treatment. As a research and technology service provider, IKTS offers advanced ceramic materials and components as well as customised industrial manufacturing processes. Special emphasis is on the sustainable use of resources and closed material cycles. IKTS develops recycling approaches, enabling the economic recovery of valuable materials by following the zero-waste principle.
Within R3VOLUTION, Fraunhofer IKTS is developing advanced approaches for membrane technology applications in wastewater treatment. We are focusing on the individual demands of the Pulp & Paper industry, and developing specific technical solutions for wastewater cleaning and water recycling. We have unique competencies in ceramic membrane development and application concepts for highly innovative process trains – e.g. combining nanofiltration and membrane distillation based on applying highly resistant ceramic materials. Our solutions are not only covering technological aspects but also economic and ecological ones. Hence, the integration of process automation and digitalization in the different processes is mandatory to reach the wastewater optimization.
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IWW
IWW Water Centre is one of the leading water research institutes in Germany and affiliated with the University of Duisburg-Essen. Main fields of activity are water resources management, water technology, water quality analysis, applied microbiology, water economics, and management.
Within the R3volution project, IWW is leading the dissemination and exploitation work-package and is responsible for all dissemination and communication activities.
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REPSOL PETROLEO SA
Repsol is a global multi-energy company present throughout the energy value chain. They employ more than 24,000 people worldwide and their products are sold in nearly 100 countries, reaching around 24 million customers.
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SINTEF
ISINTEF Energi AS is a non-profit research institute within the SINTEF group, employing over 300 researchers dedicated to electrical and thermal energy research. As part of the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia, with around 2,300 employees, SINTEF Energi AS holds a leading role in energy research and innovation in Norway, focusing on key areas such as energy efficiency, energy systems, thermo-chemical conversion, energy recovery, and sustainable refrigeration and heat pump technologies. Research priorities include industrial heat pump processes and the use of natural refrigerants. Advanced system and component development is supported by modeling, numerical simulations, and extensive experimental validation activities.
In the R3Volution project, SINTEF Energi AS is conducting waste-heat recovery assessments at the industrial sites and is developing and implementing waste-heat recovery technology at the FELIX demonstration site. We aim to gain a deeper scientific understanding of the thermal integration of membrane distillation in real-world applications. This includes analysing the MD-heat pump system and optimising the use of available excess heat. These energy efficiency measures are anticipated to further enhance a positive environmental impact.
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UPC
The Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) is a public research and higher education institution in the fields of engineering, architecture, science, and technology, and is one of the leading polytechnic universities in Europe. It has 18 educational centers specialized in different areas of knowledge including the field of industrial engineering, especially in technologies like chemistry, materials, mechanics, electrical, electronic, biomedical, and energy. Within UPC the R2EM research group specializes in engineering sustainable waste and wastewater management cycles based on resource recovery approaches promoting circular solutions of waste to product and waste to energy.
Our main role in the project is to lead the demo site of the steel industry case (CELSA), which is developing a membrane-based treatment train to remove unwanted substances from downstream wastewater at the CELSA steel plant to increase the circularity of the water usage and ultimately produce chemicals in a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) scheme. UPC/R2EM will adapt existing pilot plants within the consortium and use them to demonstrate the treatment trains. With this work we aim to advance sustainable water treatment solutions by developing and implementing innovative membrane-based technologies to remove unwanted substances from wastewater at a steel plant, improving water recirculation within the industrial site. Additionally, we seek to enhance the project’s scientific impact by supporting the selection of appropriate membranes, designing effective treatment systems, and contributing to the development of high-performance innovative technologies. The ultimate goal is to develop real solutions that can be applied to other industrial sectors in Spain since our climate particularities pose an enormous challenge to sustainable water management.
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VEOLIA (SEURECA)
Seureca Industrial Water services (SIWS) is an engineering and consulting entity with the Veolia Group. Based in Belgium, SIWS provides engineering and consulting companies, mainly for industrials around the world. SIWS develops the conceptual design of WWTPs, supports operations, and designs water & wastewater recycling systems until the achievement of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). The environmental and legal aspects are also considered in all selected solutions. Thanks to our Laboratory in Ghent-Belgium, we test different solutions and technologies, dimension the facilities, dimension them, and calculate the corresponding CAPEX, OPEX, and Return On Investments (ROI).
Being part of the Veolia group, SIWS can easily provide national and international support to industrials, considering also energy efficient solutions and waste valorization aspects in all projects.
In the R3VOLUTION project, we support the consortium with the techno-economic aspect and social life cycle assessment. From its close cooperation with international clients from different sectors, SIWS has wide experiences in water & wastewater treatment, reuse, and recycling until achievement of the ZLD. We also develop the roadmap for exploitation.
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VITO
VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research) is a leading, independent research center implementing client-driven research projects and developing innovative products and processes. It provides high-quality solutions for increased sustainability in the areas of chemistry, environment, materials, food, and energy.
Within R3VOLUTION, VITO will design tailored functionalized ceramic membranes for nanofiltration and membrane distillation and will scale-up the most performing membranes for the implementation phase. In addition, VITO coordinates the four pilot-scale demonstration cases that will show the applicability and replicability of solutions in the petrochemical, bio-based chemical, steel, and pulp and paper industries.
VITO aims at bringing its membrane grafting technology to TRL6 by developing membrane processes, including parameter optimization and cleaning strategies.
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VTT
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a Finnish state-owned research organisation and non-profit company that focuses on applied research and innovation. VTT develops technology solutions to Finnish and international customers in the interface of academia and business. VTT’s overarching themes encompass carbon neutrality and sustainability in both digital and material product development, which are pursued in the realms of energy, industrial chemistry, biotechnology, security and more.
Our role in the R3volution project is to develop nanocellulose-enabled membranes for various filtration applications. Nanocelluloses are versatile bio-based materials with high surface area and chemical tunability, which makes them promising alternatives for capturing valuable particles and pollutants from challenging wastewater streams. Nanocellulose-enabled membranes have intriguing interactions with water, which contributes to their anti-fouling properties and performance. we hope to achieve high-performance nanocellulose-enabled membranes that we can produce in semi-pilot scale for larger scale trials with our R3VOLUTION project partners.
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Z PRIME
Z Prime is a technology-focused company specialising in industrial AI solutions. We develop scalable and secure data ecosystems, integrating real-time data from various sources, including sensors and IoT devices. Our expertise includes digital twin technology, machine learning and AI models, and system integration to enhance industrial operations. We are committed to leading innovative projects and providing cutting-edge solutions that meet the complex needs of our clients across various industries.
In the R3volution project, Z Prime serves as the task leader for several key components. Our primary role involves developing and integrating the Data Management Platform (DMP) at the pilot sites, ensuring it connects seamlessly with existing monitoring and control systems. We are also responsible for developing risk management models and algorithms, particularly for evaluating and mitigating risks associated with water reuse options in industrial settings. Additionally, we oversee the integration of digital twins and machine learning models to enhance decision-making processes and optimize system performance. Our goal within the project is to deliver a robust and scalable data management solution that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial operations. We aim to provide a comprehensive risk management framework that supports informed decision-making regarding water reuse options, ultimately contributing to safer and more sustainable industrial practices. By integrating advanced technologies like digital twins and machine learning, we hope to improve process control, reduce operational risks, and support the overall objectives of the project in creating innovative and reliable industrial solutions.
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