The WABIO Project – “From Waste to Products: Hydrothermal and Biological Valorization of Waste Streams for the Bioeconomy” – has secured over PLN 7 million in funding under the TEAM NET program of the European Funds for Smart Economy. The consortium will develop and validate a biorefinery prototype, and the work at the Łukasiewicz – PORT will be led by Prof. Andrzej Białowiec.
Bio-waste – including sewage sludge, food waste, and by-products of the agri-food industry – represents one of the key environmental challenges of today’s economy. At the same time, it constitutes a significant, yet still underutilized, source of organic carbon that can serve as a feedstock for the chemical industry, agriculture, and the energy sector.
The WABIO Project will be implemented by Łukasiewicz – PORT in consortium with Poznan University of Technology as the lead partner. The TEAM NET program supports the establishment of strong research consortia in areas with high innovation potential and provides funding for interdisciplinary research carried out by networks of collaborating teams led by distinguished scientists.
In this call, eight projects from leading Polish research institutions received a total of nearly PLN 90 million in funding, including initiatives from the University of Warsaw, Warsaw University of Technology, and Gdańsk University of Technology.
From disposal to bio-waste valorization
Currently dominant bio-waste management methods – such as composting and anaerobic digestion – focus primarily on stabilization and energy recovery. WABIO proposes an approach that goes beyond this model: transforming bio-waste into high value-added chemical products.
“This represents a new technological opening that may compete with traditional composting and biogas plants,” explains Prof. Andrzej Białowiec, Head of the Biomaterials Engineering and Environmental Technologies Research Group, who joined Łukasiewicz – PORT in October 2025. “Our goal is to produce medium-chain organic acids from bio-waste for applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and fuel industries.”
This approach aligns with the principles of the bioeconomy, in which waste becomes a valuable feedstock.
Integrated biorefinery – combining hydrothermal and biotechnological processes
The core objective of the project is the development and demonstration of an integrated biorefinery that combines hydrothermal waste processing with biological chain elongation of carboxylic acids.
In the first stage, bio-waste undergoes hydrothermal treatment, resulting, among other outputs, in the production of hydrochar – a material with potential applications as a renewable solid fuel. The liquid fraction subsequently serves as a feedstock for further biological processing, leading to the production of fatty acids.
“In this concept, we integrate thermochemical and biotechnological processes, which increases the overall efficiency and completeness of the system,” explains Prof. Białowiec. “By design, it is a zero-waste and energy self-sufficient system. The solution demonstrates strong commercialization potential and may represent a new direction in the waste management market.”
The project includes the construction of a prototype biorefinery system and its validation under conditions approximating real-world operation.
Overcoming technological barriers in hydrothermal bio-waste processing
Previous attempts to implement hydrothermal carbonization at an industrial scale have encountered significant technological constraints. One of the key challenges has been the design of a continuous-flow reactor capable of stable and safe operation under elevated temperature and high-pressure conditions. At the same time, the effective management of the liquid fraction generated during the process has remained problematic, as it may contain compounds that inhibit subsequent biological processes. The WABIO project proposes solutions to address these challenges.
As part of the research activities, advanced process modeling and optimization tools will also be employed, including artificial neural networks, along with the implementation of real-time process monitoring concepts.
WABIO is firmly positioned within the broader context of the energy and resource transition. Its potential benefits include reducing emissions associated with bio-waste management, decreasing reliance on fossil-based resources, and creating new revenue streams from waste materials with low or even negative market value.
