The general objective of the project is to carry out research that contributes to achieving the goals of Latvia’s smart-specialisation strategy (RIS3), developing human capital in science and technology, and creating new knowledge to improve competitiveness in the economy.

The specific objective of the project is to reduce the amount of sewage sludge produced, in order to reduce waste entering the environment, reduce the costs of sludge management and disposal, and develop circular-economy principles in the wastewater-related sector. To achieve this, the project team, with industry support, will develop and demonstrate technologies for producing and recovering two secondary raw materials — proteins and carbohydrates — from sewage sludge. By demonstrating the potential of the technologies and creating added value — such as using new raw materials in energy production, better quality of the residual sludge material, reduced risk of biological contamination, fewer odours during storage, and integration into current management strategies — we will build confidence in the potential of such approaches. This will bring us closer to achieving circular-economy goals and the goals of the Paris Agreement in the fight against climate change.