Preliminary Market Consultation Open on the Treatment of Pollutants and Resource Valorisation in the Water Cycle: An Opportunity for UMH Research Groups

Knowledge Offer, Oferta Tecnológica

4 September 2026

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Aigües d’Elx Promotes a Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) to Identify Innovative Solutions for Water Management. UMH Research Groups Can Submit Their Capabilities and Technologies Until 11 September 2026.

Aigües i Sanejament d’Elx, S.A. has launched a Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) entitled “Advanced Treatment of Pollutants and Comprehensive Resource Valorisation in the Water Cycle”.

This initiative seeks to gather information from the R&D&I ecosystem to advance towards an integrated water management model based on the circular economy, resource recovery and environmental sustainability. The contributions received will serve as the basis for designing a future Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) tender.

Why is this relevant for UMH research groups?
Participation in this preparatory phase does not constitute a tender or grant preferential rights, but it represents a strategic opportunity for knowledge transfer:

  • Influence on the future PPI: It allows the requirements of the future tender to be shaped towards solutions aligned with the capabilities and technologies developed at the university.
  • Visibility and positioning: It showcases the group’s technological potential to the public administration and potential industrial partners.
  • Networking: It facilitates connections with Aigües d’Elx and other companies in the water sector for future R&D&I projects.

Technology Challenges
Complete or partial proposals may be submitted addressing one or more of the following areas:

Advanced Treatment of Pollutants and Nutrient Recovery

  • Removal or reduction of emerging pollutants (PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, heavy metals, etc.).
  • Nitrogen and phosphorus recovery.
  • Improved process control and monitoring in existing wastewater treatment plants through separation technologies, membranes, advanced oxidation, artificial intelligence or advanced control.

Treatment and Valorisation of Wastewater Sludge

  • Technologies for decontaminating, stabilising and valorising sludge.
  • Production of high-value-added products (biofertilisers, hydrochar, carbon-based materials, chemicals, energy, etc.).
  • Reduction of environmental impact with a zero-waste target.

Capture, Management and Valorisation of Solid Waste in Sanitation

  • Early capture of wet wipes and other non-degradable waste.
  • Reduction of operational incidents and maintenance costs.
  • Valorisation of waste currently sent to landfill by transforming it into new materials or products.

Scientific and Technological Areas of Interest
This call directly addresses areas of expertise present at UMH, such as:

  • Water technologies, wastewater treatment, environmental engineering and chemistry.
  • Circular economy, waste management and microbial biotechnology.
  • Analytical chemistry and emerging pollutants.
  • Modelling, process optimisation, advanced materials and membranes.
  • Sensors, automation, monitoring, AI, data science and digital twins.
  • Electrochemical processes and advanced oxidation.

Key Information About the Call

  • Funding body: Aigües i Sanejament d’Elx, S.A.
  • Application deadline: Until 11 September 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Participants: Universities, research centres, technology centres and companies (individually or in collaboration). Multiple proposals per entity are permitted.
  • Funding: As this is a preparatory consultation phase, this stage does not involve any financial allocation or scored evaluation of proposals.

Documentation and Support from the Knowledge Transfer Service
To facilitate participation by UMH researchers, the full terms and conditions, FAQ guide and call infographic are available for download in this same post.

For any queries or support in preparing your proposal, you can contact the UMH Knowledge Transfer Service: