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PyroPlas

PyroPlas: Transforming sewage sludge to sustainable transport fuels and materials

Challenge: Breakthrough 5: Transform
Water cycle: Bioresources, resource recovery and circularity
Funding amount: £9,800,480
Lead water company: Severn Trent Water
Partner water companies: Anglian Water Thames Water United Utilities Wessex Water Yorkshire Water
Delivery stage: In progress

PyroPlas: Transforming sewage sludge to sustainable transport fuels and materials 

Amount awarded: £9,800,480 

Led by: Severn Trent 

Partners: Hybrid Gasification, Jacobs UK, Durham University, Wessex Water, United Utilities, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water 

This project will convert wastewater sludge into high-value sustainable fuel, biochar (that improves soils) and carbon (used in water purification and energy storage). The process will also remove harmful forever chemicals and microplastics. This advanced system will help deliver net-zero and provide a novel approach to generate value from waste. 

“This innovation funding from Ofwat will unlock a transformative approach on how we deal with, and get value from, the by-product of sewage treatment – sludge. Conversion of sludge into sustainable fuels and other useful materials will be great for net-zero, for the environment, and for customers.” 

Pete Vale, Carbon Architect, Severn Trent Water 

Image credit: Hybrid Gasification Ltd 

Image caption: ‘PyroPlus’ high temperature pyrolysis pilot plant