Current Projects  |  2014 – 2017 → BIOMETAL DEMO

In the program “ENV.2013.WATER INNO&DEMO-1: Water innovation demonstration projects”, with file number “FP7-ENV-2013-WATER-INNO-DEMO”. Through the consortium comprises by SERVYECO, INDUSTRIAL GONABE, LCW CONSULT, ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT DES METHODES ET PROCESSUS INDUSRIALS (ARMINES), CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DO MAR DO ALGARVE, UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID, UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA, HIDROLAB and led by CONTACTICA. With a budget of 4.328.869 €.

Objectives: Current technologies of metals treatment in polluting industries do not comply with the reduction of the concentration of metal required by the EU, the feasibility of applying new biotechnologies for treating wastewater contaminated by metals will be demonstrated.

The biotechnologies to be evaluated are the metal bioprecipitation by sulfate-reducing bacteria and immobilized phytase biocatalysis and biosorption of metals in the agricultural industry by-products and biopolymers (such as materials based on alginate and chitosan).

After evaluation of these techniques, an optimized bioprocess or a synergy of two integrated bioprocesses will be selected for the design and construction of two pilot plants to be implemented in two representative industries sector; mining and electroplating.