Amount awarded: £6,149,362
Led by: United Utilities
Partners: Aquaminerals, Cellvation, Cranfield University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Royal HaskoningDHV, Severn Trent Plc, South West Water Limited, United Utilities Water Limited, Yara
Biopolymers provide water companies and customers with the opportunity to supply fully sustainable raw materials for the production of several high value products. The production and marketing of biopolymers from wastewater and sludge opens up opportunities to realise several routes to circular economies. It also supports our industry in achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030 by reducing our needs for manufactured polymers which we use in daily operational activities. Biopolymers are produced naturally by bacteria in wastewater treatment. If this material can be extracted it could be used instead of procuring chemicals across multiple industries.
The BICE project is delivering to the agreed schedule. In the past quarter we have focused on the design of our biopolymer extraction systems and how they will be implemented at the Blackburn site. Teams from RHDHV and Cellvation have visited site with United Utilities Engineers to gain a more detailed understanding of site restrictions and how power, water and wastewater can be provided to the individual systems. We have also started discussions with advisory member organisations (those that have agreed to help us with information but not provide funding into the project) regarding the analysis requirements and characteristics they would expect from biopolymers supplied into their production processes. We have discussed opportunities with both Hempel (Crown Paints) and Unilever as a means of gauging how best to enter these biopolymer markets. As a means of understanding the levels of characterisation analysis required to achieve our desired project outcomes we have completed a workshop on “the history of biopolymers” during which a wide range of organisations gathered to discuss the work they have completed to date. Discussions within the workshop have led to the development of a list of analysis targeting specific markets and also helping us start to develop our strategies for end of waste status.
“This truly collaborative project will really open the door for the water industry with regards to the potential for biopolymer recovery from our wastewater and bioresources facilities. This diverse partnership will offer fantastic perspectives on circular economy approaches, reducing our carbon emissions whilst driving greater value for our customers.” – Pat Horne, Head of Strategy & Commercial Bioresources, Energy & Carbon, United Utilities
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For more information on Biopolymers in the Circular Economy, take a look at the following resources:
