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

Site Visit - Manchester Bioresources Centre

Manchester Bioresource Centre (MBC), is United Utilities' (UU) lower tier COMAH Bioresource Production facility, treating circa 100k tds per annum, equating to around 60% of all UU sludges. 

Timings:

   *   12:50 Gather at The Point Building - Emirates Old Trafford

   *   13:00 Depart. 

   *   17:00 Arrive back at Emirates Old Trafford

Further details ...

Meet & Greet

Join us from 7pm - 8pm in The Point foyer for an informal meet and greet. 

This is a great opportunity to network with other attendees before the event, catch up with colleagues and meet the Aqua Enviro team.  

Keynote Speaker
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.

Advanced Thermal Conversion & Biochar
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
Biosolids pyrolysis - a technology for eliminating organic pollutants in both sewage sludge and municipal wastewaterChristian Wieth, AquaGreen ApS
Energy and mass balance for autothermal pyrolysis of sewage sludgePhilip Pedros, Mott MacDonald
FIREFLY – sewage sludge to sustainable aviation fuel. A step forward towards commercialisationJason Askey-Wood, Green Fuels Research Ltd/ Firefly Green Fuels
From sludge to solution: biosolids disposal and PFAS destruction North America's largest fluidized bed gasification plantJoel Thornton, Aries Clean Technologies
Integration of hydrothermal oxidation into wastewater treatment plants - a holistic solution for sludge to land challengesDaniel Gapes, Cetogenix (NZ) Ltd
Lessons learned from the fate of PFAS in full-scale solids gasification facilityMohamad Abu-Orf, Hazen and Sawyer
Linking sewage sludge macromolecular contents to pyrolysis output characteristics for novel insightsSiqi Xu, Cranfield University
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
Pyrocarbonisation of WWTP biosolids: effect of the thermal treatment on the contaminants of emerging concern behavior & agronomic properties of the biocharSid-Ahmed Kessas, SUEZ
Use of biochar from recovered cellulose in constructed wetlands to eliminate micropollutants in rural areasInka Hobus, WiW mbH
Biogas Valorisation
Biogas upgrading: CO2 – capture and storageJemma Eaton, Stantec
Results from the sustainable biogas, graphene & hydrogen LOOP demonstrationSuzy Hill, United Utilities
The role of green gas in net zeroCraig Mauelshagen, BMA
Drying
Advances in low energy biosolids drying with the new dune processTodd Williams, Jacobs
Energy-optimised processes for sewage sludge drying with subsequent heat extraction – here are the limits of feasibility?Dale Foster, Huber Technology
Health & Safety
Enhancing process safety in bioresources operations: an innovative python-based explosion and dispersion consequence modelling of biogas storage units in the wastewater industryPhineas Masango, Anglian Water
Experience of integration and process safety considerations for implementing pyrolysis technologyAndre Le Roux, Stantec
Landbank Challenges & Opportunities
CIP4 sludge investigation - mid project progressAndrew McLeod, AtkinsRéalis
Stephen Riches, AtkinsRéalis
Conclusions of a 45-year old pilot study of application of Swedish sewage sludge on farmlandDavid Gustavsson, VA SYD
National collaborative PFAS studyIan Pepper, University of Arizona
Panel Discussions
Beyond Biosolids: Unlocking Markets for Sewage Sludge-Derived Products  
Industrial Emissions DirectiveClive Humphreys, Environment Agency
Yadira Bajon Fernandez, Cranfield University
Steve Bungay, AD Ingenuity LLP
Paul Fountain, Thames Water
Phosphorus Recovery
Phosphorus recovery from wastewater with biosolids biochar: performance at pilot-scale, biochar quality and P availabilitySzabolcs Pap, Environmental Research Institute - UHI
Phosphorus recovery – juggling on a tightropePaul Roeleveld, Haskoning NL
The bio-mineral P removal (BMPR) process for P removal and recovery from centratesAna Soares, Cranfield University
The Bigger Picture
Achieving cleaner bioresources: learning from recent environmental and policy research in the UKJoanna Cloy, Fidra
A regulators review of PR24 and considerations for the futureEugenia Vela, Ofwat
The bigger picture – how to make a choice from a Dutch perspectiveEllen van Voorthuizen, Haskoning
The Future of Bioresources: Insights from a Global PerspectiveAndrew McLeod, AtkinsRéalis
Thirty years of conference papers at Aqua Enviro – what have we learnt?Keith Martin Panter, NA
Transitioning from reactive to proactive maintenanceAlan Butcher, Severn Trent
Conference Dinner
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM

This year's celebratory Conference Dinner is being held in the Member's Suite at Emirates Old Trafford  

Further details ...

Keynote Speaker
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?

Advancing Anaerobic Digestion
Targeting THP hydrolysis blindspots with enzymes - trial on pilot-scale continuous ADNasreen Nasar, Cranfield University
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
Forecasting volatile solids reduction of municipal sludge using 32 years of dataMathieu Haddad, SUEZ
World heritage, modern innovation: Quebec City's sustainable leap in waste-to-RNG technologyScott McKay, www.fournierdewatering.com
Integrating operational and biological factors to assess anaerobic digestion performance: a seven factor frameworkAchame Shana, Thames Water
Unlocking high-rate anaerobic digestion: overcoming free ammonia inhibition through osmoprotectant supplementationNnenna Chukwuekezie, Cranfield University
Challenges and opportunities on AAD for biowaste handling - A Norwegian case studyTore Fløan, Ecopro
Upgrade of the THP advanced digestion plant at Ringsend WWTW using Ephyra® plug-flow technologyValerie Sels, Haskoning
Dara White, Irish Water
Anaerobic co-digestion of fat, oil and grease (FOG) and saponified FOG deposits with sewage sludgeZiting Zhou, Imperial College London
Impact of thermal hydrolysis on WWTW effluent COD levels – quantification, implications and remediationJoseph Merry, Stantec
Davy Ringoot, Cambi Group AS
Full-scale enhancement of anaerobic digestion with the microbial hydrolysis processMaddy Fairley-Wax, Jacobs
Implementing The Industrial Emissions Directive
Tackling odour emissions from sewage sludge storage sitesRuta Zarina, Riga Technical University
A UK first – lessons learned from implementing secondary containment at Howdon STCAnita Manns, Mott MacDonald
Delivering compliance amid regulatory flux: southern water's IED journeyGrace Stumbles, KPMG UK
Methane Emissions
Degassing and deactivating methane production to reduce TVOCs from digested sludgeTom Taylor, Yorkshire Water
Methane measurement and mitigation methodologies for climate action todayAmanda Lake, Jacobs
Unlocking net zero value: capturing the carbon value of ELOVAC®Kevin Sheeran, ELIQUO HYDROK
Quantifying methane emissions from digestate storage: treatment-specific emission factors for sludge processing technologiesEllie Singh, Severn Trent
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
Digestate conditioning: lost gas, dormancy, resuscitation, and residual biogasSteve Bungay, AD Ingenuity LLP
So... your OCUS are a source of TVOCs and CH4 ...what next?Sofia Georgaki, 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
Suppressing methane emissions from sewage sludge digestateMuna Ibrahim Hassan, Cranfield University
Panel Discussions
OFWAT-funded ATC projects: Developing the business cases for PR29David Inman, Anglian Water
Dr Aderlanio Cardoso, Severn Trent Water
Richard Kershaw, Yorkshire Water
Peter Winter, Thames Water
The Circular Economy & Innovation
Dark fermentation as enabling technology for carbon recycling and biorefineries in sludge treatment centresJames Manu, Cranfield University
Waterwhelm – an innovative pathway to a water neutral bioresource sectorAlireza Abbassi Monjezi, Waterwhelm
Ben Luqmani, AtkinsRealis
Is biomethane the real value? Exploring anaerobic chain elongation for generating high value feedstock molecules from food waste.Tom Arnot, University of Bath
Electrifying opportunities – rapid advancements in electrolysis of wastewater sludgesChris French, Relier Project & Strategy Limited
Cellulose recovery by ICABUS, a guaranteed positive business caseFrans Durieux, Purgatoria
From bench scale to industrial scale sludge pyrolysis - UK`s Biochar Pilot PlantChristian Wurzer, University of Edinburgh, UK Biochar Research Centre
Opportunities for biological iron recovery for sustainable and resilient coagulationRachael Giles, Cranfield University
Lystemize livestock waste characterization study: expanding on-farm anaerobic digestion applicationsKelly Ward, Lystek
Plasma gasification of wet organic refuse of MSW for sustainable energy recoveryGitanjali Jothiprakash, Edinburgh Napier University
Achieving cleaner bioresources: learning from recent environmental and policy research in the UKJoanna Cloy, Fidra
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)
Integrating electrochemical and biological approaches to valorise wastewater from agri-food industryBaile Wu, University College Cork, Ireland
Suppressing methane emissions from sewage sludge digestateMuna Ibrahim Hassan, Cranfield University
Influence of potassium addition on phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge biocharAshma Parween, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Ethanol-nexus two-stage anaerobic digestion integrated with biochar in leveraging eco-treatment of biowasteBang Du, University of Surrey
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
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
Regional sewage sludge and ash management for phosphorus recycling in a metropolitan area (AMPHORE)Gerd Kolisch, WiW mbH
The missing link for optimalization of the sludge treatmentEwout Riteco, SOLiSENZ B.V.
Targeting THP hydrolysis blindspots with enzymes - trial on pilot-scale continuous adNasreen Nasar, Cranfield University
Hydrodynamic cavitation (HDC) with bio-organic catalyst (BOC) to enhance AD performance and biosolids dewateringJack Dyer-Jones, ALPS Ecoscience

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

Posters

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.

Event Sponsors