AIX-Net-WWR – The “Aachen Network for
Waste Water Reuse”

The Aachen network aims to develop a standardized, semi-decentralized wastewater reuse
system with innovative treatment technologies

The research and business network in the Aachen region, comprising five research institutions, a start-up, and eleven companies, endeavors to develop a standardized, semi-decentralized wastewater reuse system. Regional expertise in wastewater treatment and water reuse is being combined to foster an ecological and economical circular economy. Thus, the alliance contributes to addressing global challenges of water scarcity and resource management through the development of innovative technologies.

The AIX-Net-WWR alliance responds to the challenges of climate change and increasing water scarcity by developing innovative technologies. The commitment of all EU member states to promote a climate-friendly economy and society (Green Deal) and the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underline the importance of sustainable water management. Concurrently, Environmental Social Governance (ESG) criteria have been established in the financial market, demonstrating that only sustainable entrepreneurship can be economically successful in the long term.

Today’s centralized water and wastewater disposal systems have disadvantages in water-scarce regions, including the loss of valuable resources such as water and heat, and inadequate treatment of wastewater for potential reuse. This leads to increasing water body pollution and potential consequences such as eutrophication in the long term.

The alliance therefore aims to establish semi-decentralized wastewater reuse systems at the neighborhood level. Domestic wastewater in particular, but in future also wastewater from trade or industry, should be treated directly at the point of origin and made available for various purposes. At the same time, resources such as valuable ingredients and energy potentials should be utilized. The innovative system, with its modularity and scalability, should be integrated into both existing and new structures, promoting sustainable water use by saving water and energy.

Overall, five joint projects are addressing the development of innovative individual technologies, with FiW significantly contributing to projects one and four:

1. AIX-WWR
   Development of a Waste Water Reuse Demonstrator in container form for wastewater treatment with the aim of circularity.
   
2. AIX-SOLVED
   Development of a cleaning process based on enzyme-functionalized adsorbent granules.
   
3. AIX-OXI
   Development of a novel plasma reactor for energy-efficient trace pollutant removal and water disinfection.
   
4. AIX-WATCH
   Development of a novel validation methodology using innovative monitoring and control concepts to ensure water quality.
   
5. AIX-DEZI
   Development of innovative nanofiltration membranes and a novel FCDI deionization process for treating industrial wastewater streams containing salts, heavy metals, or trace pollutants.

The leadership of the alliance lies with an interdisciplinary team of experts from business and research, with INTEWA in the lead position. In addition to the three acwa institutes ISA, PIA, and FiW, further research institutions and regional companies are involved. ISA is primarily engaged in optimizing processes for semi-decentralized wastewater treatment, such as membrane bioreactors and adsorption, as well as analytical questions. PIA operates the demonstrator at its own site and develops a validation scheme. The focus of FiW is on developing a wastewater heat concept within project one and accompanying the integral biological and chemical monitoring of treated wastewater quality to optimize control and regulation technology in project four. The project, with a total budget of approximately 12 million euros, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the RUBIN initiative.

The alliance is open to further associated partners. The common goal is to establish AIX-Net-WWR as a leading network for water reuse worldwide and to give wastewater a new life through new technologies.

Funding Agency

Project Partner

INTEWA GmbH;
Aixprocess GmbH;
Hego Biotec GmbH;
Prüfinstitut für Abwassertechnik GmbH;
SeSaM-Biotech GmbH;
STEP Consulting GmbH; SV Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG;
SIMA-tec GmbH;
Redline Technologies Elektronik GmbH;
nrw-Anlagentechnik GmbH;
Bühler Technologies GmbH; Ruhr-Universität Bochum;
DWI – Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien e. V.;
Forschungsinstitut für Wasserwirtschaft und Klimazukunft an der
RWTH Aachen e. V.;
Fraunhofer Aachen;
Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hoch schule Aachen;
Korallenwächter – Kowalytics UG

Project Manager