An essential event for all biosolids and bioresources professionals, providing an overview of the latest innovations, best practice, cutting-edge technologies and research in the field.

This year's conference programme features over 70 expert speakers who will share their operational experiences and practical solutions for the challenges facing the bioresources industry.  Join over 300 attendees for 11 technical sessions, 3 panel discussions, 2 keynote speakers, a site visit and plenty of networking opportunities!

2025 Programme

Can we un-bake the sludge cake?David Tompkins

There's a common perception that the UK will move to thermal treatment of sludges within the next decade - not necessarily as a result of evidence of harm, but in the absence of evidence of safety, particularly for the very many pollutants that partition to sludges during wastewater treatment. Preventing those pollutants from entering the system would provide the ultimate solution to this challenge and revert sludge back to its fundamentally useful ingredients of carbon and nutrients. But what would such a transformational change require? Spanning effluent consents, green chemistry, environmental health, ecosystem collapse and producer responsibility, this presentation will explore the range of current levers and blockers - and suggest that it's a case of when, rather than if we un-bake the sludge cake.

Competition or Collaboration? What does the future hold for the Bioresources Market?Leah Fry

As we face a growing number of challenges, the call for collaboration gets louder but what does that mean for the place of competition in the market?

Advanced Thermal Conversion & Biochar
FIREFLY – sewage sludge to sustainable aviation fuel. A step forward towards commercialisationJason Askey-Wood, Green Fuels Research Ltd
Linking sewage sludge macromolecular contents to pyrolysis output characteristics for novel insightsSiqi Xu, Cranfield University
Lessons learned from the fate of PFAS in full-scale solids gasification facilityMohammad Abu-Orf, Hazen and Sawyer
Energy and mass balance for autothermal pyrolysis of sewage sludgePhilip Pedros, Mott MacDonald
From sludge to solution: biosolids disposal and PFAS destruction North America's largest fluidized bed gasification plantJoel Thornton, Aries Clean Technologies
Pyrocarbonisation of WWTP biosolids: effect of the thermal treatment on the contaminants of emerging concern behavior & agronomic properties of the biocharSid-Ahmed Kessas, SUEZ
Advancing sustainable biosludge utilization with hydrothermal carbonization (HTC): EVAC's journey from sea to shoreMats Riska, Evac Oy
A multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach to assess ATC technologies for bioresources managementFarhad Beik, Thames Water
Integration of hydrothermal oxidation into wastewater treatment plants - a holistic solution for sludge to land challengesDaniel Gapes, Cetogenix (NZ) Ltd
Use of biochar from recovered cellulose in constructed wetlands to eliminate micropollutants in rural areasInka Hobus, WiW mbH
Biosolids pyrolysis - a technology for eliminating organic pollutants in both sewage sludge and municipal wastewaterChristian Wieth, AquaGreen ApS
Pilot study on the effect of pyrolysis temperature on heavy metal removal, degradation of organic micropollutants and particle size distribution of sludge biochars with different sewage sludge originsDavid Gustavsson, VA SYD
Advancing Anaerobic Digestion
Full-scale enhancement of anaerobic digestion with the microbial hydrolysis processMaddy Fairley-Wax, Jacobs Engineering Group
Anaerobic co-digestion of fat, oil and grease (FOG) and saponified FOG deposits with sewage sludgeZiting Zhou, Imperial College London
Challenges and opportunities on AAD for biowaste handling - A Norwegian case studyAshish Kumar Sahu, Cambi Group AS
Impact of thermal hydrolysis on WWTW effluent COD levels – quantification, implications and remediationJoseph Merry, Stantec
Davy Ringoot, Cambi
Forecasting volatile solids reduction of municipal sludge using 32 years of dataMathieu Haddad, SUEZ
Integrating operational and biological factors to assess anaerobic digestion performance: a seven factor frameworkAchame Shana, Thames Water
Upgrade of the THP advanced digestion plant at Ringsend WWTW using Ephyra® plug-flow technologyValerie Sels, Haskoning
Lystemize livestock waste characterization study: expanding on-farm anaerobic digestion applicationsKelly Ward, Lystek
Optimising micro-aerated anaerobic digestion through pathway network analysisKin Tung Michael Ho, Imperial College London
Targeting THP hydrolysis blindspots with enzymes - trial on pilot-scale continuous ADNasreen Nasar, Cranfield University
Unlocking high-rate anaerobic digestion: overcoming free ammonia inhibition through osmoprotectant supplementationNnenna Chukwuekezie, Cranfield University
World heritage, modern innovation: Quebec City's sustainable leap in waste-to-RNG technologyScott McKay, Fournier Industries Inc.
Biogas Valorisation
The role of green gas in net zeroStefano Giacalone, Business Modelling Applications (BMA)
Results from the sustainable biogas, graphene & hydrogen LOOP demonstrationSuzy Hill, United Utilities
Biogas upgrading: CO2 – capture and storageJemma Eaton, Stantec
Drying
Energy-optimised processes for sewage sludge drying with subsequent heat extraction – here are the limits of feasibility?Dale Foster, Huber Technology
Advances in low energy biosolids drying with the new dune processTodd Williams, Jacobs
Health & Safety
Enhancing process safety in bioresources operations: an innovative python-based explosion and dispersion consequence modelling of biogas storage units in the wastewater industryPhinn Masango, Anglian Water
Experience of integration and process safety considerations for implementing pyrolysis technologyAndre Le Roux, Stantec
Implementing The Industrial Emissions Directive
A UK first – lessons learned from implementing secondary containment at Howdon STCAnita Manns, Mott MacDonald
Tackling odour emissions from sewage sludge storage sitesRuta Zarina, Riga Technical University
Delivering compliance amid regulatory flux: southern water's IED journeyGrace Stumbles, KPMG UK
Landbank Challenges & Opportunities
CIP4 sludge investigation - mid project progressAndrew McLeod, AtkinsRéalis
Stephen Riches, AtkinsRéalis
National collaborative PFAS studyIan Pepper, University of Arizona
Conclusions of a 45-year old pilot study of application of Swedish sewage sludge on farmlandDavid Gustavsson, VA SYD
Methane Emissions
So... your OCUS are a source of TVOCs and CH4 ...what next?Sofia Georgaki, Jacobs
Tackling process emissions from anaerobic digestion: insights from a risk-based approachGarry Strange, AtkinsRéalis
Quantifying methane emissions from digestate storage: treatment-specific emission factors for sludge processing technologiesEllie Singh, Severn Trent
Methane measurement and mitigation methodologies for climate action todayAmanda Lake, Jacobs
Tracer tests for sludge digestion tanks to determine methane emissionsEva Augustijn, Hoogheemraadschap Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard
The residual biogas potential of sewage sludgeSteve Bungay, AD Ingenuity LLP
Unlocking net zero value: capturing the carbon value of ELOVAC®Kevin Sheeran, ELIQUO HYDROK
Degassing and deactivating methane production to reduce TVOCs from digested sludgeTom Taylor, Yorkshire Water
Digestate conditioning: lost gas, dormancy, resuscitation, and residual biogasSteve Bungay, AD Ingenuity LLP
Continuous methane emissions monitoring to advance emissions factor assumptions: insights from Severn Trent Water's multi-site deployment campaign of QLM's LIDAR system, and progress to validating methane emission factors for company-wide reporting.Alex Harrison, Severn Trent Water
Suppressing methane emissions from sewage sludge digestateMuna Ibrahim Hassan, Cranfield University
Phosphorus Recovery
Phosphorus recovery from wastewater with biosolids biochar: performance at pilot-scale, biochar quality and P availabilitySzabolcs Pap, Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands
The bio-mineral P removal (BMPR) process for P removal and recovery from centratesAna Soares, Cranfield University
Phosphorus recovery – juggling on a tightropePaul Roeleveld, Haskoning
The Bigger Picture
A regulators review of PR24 and look ahead to PR29 and beyondTom Boichot, Ofwat
Thirty years of conference papers at Aqua Enviro – what have we learnt?Keith Martin Panter, NA
The Future of Bioresources: Insights from a Global PerspectiveSarah-Jane Westlake, AtkinsRéalis
Achieving cleaner bioresources: learning from recent environmental and policy research in the UKJoanna Cloy, Fidra
The bigger picture – how to make a choice from a Dutch perspectiveEllen van Voorthuizen, Haskoning
Transitioning from reactive to proactive maintenanceAlan Butcher, Severn Trent
The Circular Economy & Innovation
Is biomethane the real value? Exploring anaerobic chain elongation for generating high value feedstock molecules from food waste.Tom Arnot, University of Bath
Cellulose recovery by ICABUS, a guaranteed positive business caseFrans Durieux, Purgatoria
Electrifying opportunities – rapid advancements in electrolysis of wastewater sludgesChris French, Relier Project & Strategy Limited
Waterwhelm – an innovative pathway to a water neutral bioresource sectorAlireza Abbassi Monjezi, Waterwhelm
Dark fermentation as enabling technology for carbon recycling and biorefineries in sludge treatment centresJames Manu, Cranfield University
Biopolymers in the circular economyFrancesca McKendrick, United Utilities
Dark fermentation as enabling technology for carbon recycling and biorefineries in sludge treatment centresJames Manu, Cranfield University
Lystemize livestock waste characterization study: expanding on-farm anaerobic digestion applicationsKelly Ward, Lystek
Regional sewage sludge and ash management for phosphorus recycling in a metropolitan area (AMPHORE)Gerd Kolish, WiW mbH
Achieving cleaner bioresources: learning from recent environmental and policy research in the UKJoanna Cloy, Fidra
Targeting THP hydrolysis blindspots with enzymes - trial on pilot-scale continuous adNasreen Nasar, Cranfield University
Opportunities for biological iron recovery for sustainable and resilient coagulationRachael Giles, Cranfield University
Suppressing methane emissions from sewage sludge digestateMuna Ibrahim Hassan, Cranfield University
Plasma gasification of wet organic refuse of MSW for sustainable energy recoveryGitanjali Jothiprakash, Edinburgh Napier University
Novel technologies for sludge dewatering and n-recoveryDennis Gubin, PG Cleanwater Solutions
Quantifying methane emissions from digestate storage: treatment-specific emission factors for sludge processing technologiesEllie Singh, Severn Trent
Energy positive biosolids pyrolysis - real data from a Danish integrated steam drying and pyrolysis plantChristian Wieth, AquaGreen ApS
Integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis for sewage sludge treatment: Environmental performance assessmentThea Indrebø, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN)
Influence of potassium addition on phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge biocharAshma Parween, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Integrating electrochemical and biological approaches to valorise wastewater from agri-food industryBaile Wu, University College Cork
The missing link for optimalization of the sludge treatmentEwout Riteco, SOLiSENZ B.V.

Timings 

A detailed timetable will be released 4-6 weeks before the conference date - please see approximate start and end times below to assist with travel planning.   

Monday 10th November

  • Afternoon site visit - 13:00 - 16:30
  • Meet and greet networking - The Point Building -19:00 - 20:00

Tuesday 11th November

  • Registration - The Point (2nd floor foyer) - from 08:45
  • Technical sessions - 09:30 -17:30 
  • Drinks reception - Exhibition Hall - 17:30 - 18:15
  • Conference dinner - LCCC Members' Suite - 19:30 - 23:00

Wednesday 12th November

  • Technical sessions - 09:00 - 16:15

Poster Presentations

We are still accepting abstract submissions for POSTER presentations.  This is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your work to over 300 industry professionals and be in with a chance of winning the Student and Early Career Professionals* Poster Award.

*Early career professionals must be: an individual working professionally in the wastewater sector for less than 3 years after graduation; or an academic/postgraduate/post doctorate in a permanent position in a UK institution (full or part time), with no more than three years of experience at lecturer level.

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