In 2024, OFWAT awarded 4 advanced thermal conversion-themed projects a total of £10.7M in Round 4 of the Water Breakthrough Challenge. The 4 projects, providing insights into Biochar, Gasification, Hydrothermal Oxidation and Pyrolysis, were introduced at last year’s EBB Conference, along with a panel discussion describing the collaborative approach that is being taken.

The objective of these industry critical projects is to establish viable and sustainable alternative approaches to wastewater sludge management addressing growing concerns over the spreading of sludge to agricultural land, and the fate of contaminants including as microplastics and PFAS. These projects will deliver a significant step forward in the development and commercialisation of these emerging technologies and the products they create.

This year, Severn Trent Water, Anglian Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water will present project updates along with an outline of the criteria being used to evaluate the technical effectiveness and commercial viability of these ATC technologies and associated products.