Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Circular Economy approaches to Digested Sludge Utilization in a Wastewater Treatment Plant Based on Hydrothermal Carbonization and Complementary Technologies

Objective

CeSuds addresses regulatory and environmental challenges of EU wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions and stringent effluent and sludge quality requirements. To comply with EU directives (86/278/EEC, and 91/271/EEC amended by 2024/3019 Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive) and align with EU resource efficiency and circularity objectives embedded in the Critical Raw Materials Act, WWTPs must improve pollution reduction, increase resource recovery and minimise environmental impact.
The project proposes an integrated sludge management system combining anaerobic processes with hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and resource recovery technologies, creating a closed-loop economy model for WWTPs. By optimising HTC, CeSuds aims to increase WWTPs’ energy efficiency, improve sewage sludge treatment while managing nutrients and reduce operational costs and environmental impacts.
CeSuds develops machine-learning-based predictive models and digital tools to optimise HTC variables and predict product quality, facilitating WWTP operator decision-making. Research objectives include experimental studies of HTC processes, management of by-products and demonstration of the developed technology at higher technology readiness levels (TRLs). Particular emphasis is placed on compliance with European standards for fertilisers, environmental and economic assessment using Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Life Cycle Cost tools, as well as socio-legal assessment of integrated technology in EU regions. CeSuds provides multidisciplinary training for Doctoral Candidates, developing competences in chemical and process engineering, computational science, environmental science, chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology and environmental/legal management for sustainable solutions. The consortium’s work will culminate in open-access tools and policy recommendations to facilitate the implementation of optimised sludge management strategies in EU WWTPs.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 682 174,08
Address
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL PARK, PLASSEY
- Limerick
Ireland

See on map

Region
Ireland Southern Mid-West
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (12)

Partners (14)

My booklet 0 0