Circular economy and sustainability
DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT PROMOTE THE CIRCULAR AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY IN STRATEGIC INDUSTRIAL SECTORS OF VALENCIA THAT CONSUME WATER AND GENERATE WASTEWATER
AQUA2VAL
Motivation
The AQUA2VAL project arises as a collaboration between Technology Centers of the Valencian Community with the aim of developing innovative solutions and going beyond current regulations; in order to foster circular economy practices and sustainability in strategic Valencian industrial sectors that consume water and generate wastewater, such as ceramics, chemicals, metallurgy, textiles, cosmetics, plastics, tanning, agriculture, and the water industry.
This project will address five key challenges: water scarcity (promoting the use of non-conventional water sources), degradation of aquatic ecosystems (removal of microcontaminants, emerging and critical pollutants), circular economy and waste management (valorization and reuse), renewable energy generation from water (H₂), and digitalization (of WWTPs). AQUA2VAL will develop and validate advanced technologies to tackle these challenges and help position partner companies as benchmarks in sustainable and efficient production.
Objectives
To develop innovative solutions in line with current regulations and strategies, and go beyond them; with the aim of fostering a circular and sustainable economy in the strategic industrial sectors of Valencia that consume water and generate wastewater. This will enable the promotion of climate change adaptation within Valencian industry and ensure its water resilience by anticipating a sustainable future.
Expected results
-
Design and synthesis of new materials, some derived from waste or biological sources, for the removal of micro-pollutants and emerging contaminants in industrial wastewater. Validation of advanced treatment technologies, such as the use of plasma and photocatalytic ceramic membranes.
-
Definition of quality standards for reclaimed water in industrial environments, based on the profile of treated water from WWTPs. Production of reclaimed industrial water for reuse in production processes, with the objective of reducing conventional water consumption. Evaluation of the use of non-conventional water sources, including reclaimed and desalinated water, as feedstock for hydrogen generation.
-
Development and validation of clean, sustainable, and economically viable technologies for the valorization of by-products and the recovery of high-value compounds from wastewater.
-
Establishment of circular economy models applied to water and recovered products. Assurance of scalability and applicability of the developed technologies across different industrial sectors.
-
Improvement of treated water quality through the removal of emerging contaminants, in accordance with Directive (EU) 2020/2184, and adaptation to the requirements of Directive (EU) 2024/3019 on wastewater.
-
Implementation of predictive systems in secondary wastewater treatment (WWTPs), aimed at reducing response times to accidental contaminations and optimizing the operation of biological reactors, thereby decreasing energy consumption.
-
Promotion of collaboration between the industrial and research sectors, oriented towards the development of integrated and sustainable solutions tailored to sector-specific needs.
-
Consolidation of a technical knowledge base on quaternary treatments, with a view to their future implementation in industrial sectors such as ceramics, textiles, chemicals, cosmetics, tanning, environment, and the water cycle.
Grant number: IMDEEA/2025/83
Programme: Grants aimed at technological centers in the Comunitat Valenciana for R&D projects in cooperation with companies
Period of execution: April 2025 – June 2026
Status: In progress
More information: Import – 140.311,80 €
Entity: IVACE
This project has the support of the Conselleria of Innovación, Industria, Comercio y Turismo of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE, and is co-financed by the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) of the European Union, within the FEDER Operational Programme of the Comunidad Valenciana 2021-2027.
CONTACT US
Do you want to contact us? Click on the button and write to us.
R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.