Wastewater is far more than just a waste stream; it represents a source of vital resources. The importance of its recovery has recently been emphasized not only at the national level through the revised Sewage Sludge Ordinance but also at the European level via the EU Municipal Wastewater Directive (KARL). Resource recovery technologies in the water sector aim to reclaim valuable materials, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, or carbon compounds, from diverse wastewater streams and redirect them toward new uses within a circular economy.
Valuable resources can also be recovered from other waste streams, including those from agriculture or various industrial sectors. Based on a comprehensive understanding of these material flows, we develop holistic solutions—together with other stakeholders and under prevailing regulatory frameworks—in the fields of resource recovery, resource efficiency, and sustainable climate protection. Energy recovery and water reuse are always considered as integral components of these solutions.
Thermo-chemical processes play a central role in current and future resource recovery technologies, particularly in the recovery of phosphorus and the utilization of carbon-containing compounds from wastewater and other waste streams. We develop concepts aimed at significantly reducing dependence on phosphorus imports and creating holistic solutions to bring phosphorus recyclates to market and practical application, thereby reintroducing them into the circular economy. Thermo-chemical processes also offer diverse opportunities to convert the carbon present in wastewater and other waste streams into valuable products. Our work goes beyond the mere production of biofuels; we specifically develop processes for the manufacture of high-value products, such as activated carbon, which can be directly applied as operational materials in treatment plants.
Bio-based processes are gaining increasing importance in the context of sustainable environmental technologies. They enable resource-efficient wastewater treatment while simultaneously contributing to the recovery of valuable nutrients. Central to these approaches are microbiological processes that ensure the degradation of organic pollutants and allow for the efficient transformation of compounds such as nitrogen or sulfur species.
Resource recovery also plays a significant role in the agricultural sector, where new technological approaches are further strengthening this focus. In this area, we work on practice-oriented process developments, for example the biological desulfurization of biogas using digestate, thereby supporting application-driven research in this field.
Water reuse holds significant potential both regionally and internationally. It is essential that concepts and treatment technologies are adapted to local conditions. Our research focuses on the development and testing of decentralized water reuse systems in urban areas, aiming to promote innovative approaches for the sustainable use and treatment of water.
In collaboration with local stakeholders, we develop tailored solutions to close water cycles in both industrial and municipal contexts. Water reuse is also expected to gain increasing relevance in Germany for energy crop production, land reclamation measures, forestry, and targeted agricultural irrigation.