On April 1st, the LIFE INFUSION project held its Open Day at the COGERSA facilities in Asturias. The event was a success, showcasing results and experiences on innovative solutions for the treatment of complex liquid effluents generated by municipal waste, such as liquid digestate from anaerobic digestion and leachate from controlled deposits.
The day began with an institutional welcome, followed by a morning session titled “LIFE INFUSION – Towards Circularity in Wastewater Treatment”. During this session, various presentations were given, including:
- Overview of the LIFE INFUSION project by EURECAT.
- Experience of LIFE INFUSION at ECOPARC 2 in Barcelona by ECOPARC 2.
- LIFE INFUSION at the waste treatment center by COGERSA.
- Ammonia extraction from wastewater at Ecoparc 2 and COGERSA: Opening new opportunities by DETRICON.
- Agronomic (horticultural) use of effluents from the INFUSION system installed at ECOPARC (Barcelona) by IRTA.
- Innovative technologies for wastewater treatment in INFUSION by QUALIA.
After a short break and networking, attendees visited the LIFE INFUSION pilot plant hosted by COGERSA in its Open Lab.
The afternoon session focused on the challenges and implementation of circularity, with presentations on related projects and success stories, including:
- Monte Scarpino industrial pole – Management oriented towards sustainable and circular economy and future development plans for the site by AMIU Genova.
- Unlocking the potential of waste-derived amendments in soil remediation and mining restoration by INDUROT (University of Oviedo).
- Fertilizing maize with digestate from anaerobic digestion of cow slurry by SERIDA (Regional Service for Agri-Food Research and Development).
- EcoeFISHent: Multilevel circular value chains for the eco-efficient valorization of by-products from the fishing and fish industry by AMIU Genova.
- Conversion of biomass waste into resources through hydrothermal carbonization: Application in energy, construction, and environment by INCAR-CSIC.
- Demonstration of the use of eco-zeolites made from aluminum industry waste in the Z-ONA4LIFE project.
During the event, COGERSA’s manager, Paz Orviz, announced that the LIFE INFUSION pilot plant will not only complete its research but will remain indefinitely at COGERSA’s facilities. Orviz also highlighted that COGERSA’s Open Lab is preparing to receive other R&D projects, such as Horizon Plastice, which, with a budget of nearly 20 million euros and 25 European partners, advances in the twin transition (green and digital) through robotic material separation and chemical recycling of plastic waste. Additionally, in 2026, the Open Lab will continue to grow with the production of green hydrogen from biogas, thanks to the COLHIBRi project pilot plant.
In conclusion, the LIFE INFUSION Open Day at COGERSA was an enriching event that allowed attendees to learn firsthand about innovations in the treatment of these complex effluents and resource recovery. This event not only highlighted the technological advances of the project but also fostered the exchange of ideas and collaboration among different actors in the environmental field.
The event was attended by nearly 80 representatives from the circular economy innovation ecosystem, coming from different parts of Spain and fourteen other countries, including Kazakhstan, India, Kenya, Czech Republic, Philippines, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, Italy, Belgium, Ecuador, and Mexico. Among the attendees were thirty master’s and postgraduate students from the University of Oviedo, professionals from waste management and water treatment companies, researchers and academics, public sector employees, technology developers, and startup promoters.
Failure to attend the event? Check out our YouTube channel’s videos of the day.
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