Fundación ODS Acció drives innovation in waste water treatment with a new European proposal

Current treatment plants, while essential, consume a large amount of energy and often struggle to completely remove new pollutants from industrial and pharmaceutical activities. This scenario demands a paradigm shift: moving from a “treat and dispose” model to one of “reuse and revalue”.

In this context, Fundación ODS ACCIÓ, in its commitment to innovation and sustainability, is participating as a partner in the submission of a proposal for a pioneering European project. The objective is to develop a revolutionary technology, inspired by plant photosynthesis, that seeks to transform wastewater treatment. It works as an artificial leaf system that, using only sunlight as an energy source, is capable not only of decontaminating water but also of converting waste into high-value resources, such as biofuels.

The main goal of the project is to create a floating, modular system that can be installed directly in existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) without the need for costly additional infrastructure. This technology integrates pioneer processes to efficiently degrade organic pollutants. Simultaneously, the system is designed to generate biofuels of industrial interest, thus closing the loop of the circular economy.

This initiative opens the door to a future where water treatment plants are not only purification centres but also bio-refineries capable of generating clean energy and valuable products. The impact of this project contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Firstly, it addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), as the UN states that “safely managed wastewater is an affordable and sustainable source of water, energy, nutrients and other recoverable materials” [1]. By improving water quality and reducing pollution, the project aligns with the goals of this objective. Secondly, the project is directly related to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), given that energy consumption remains the main cause of climate change [2]. By generating renewable energy from wastewater, this initiative contributes to diversifying the energy matrix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.