Background

Water scarcity is intensifying worldwide due to climate change, altered rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts. Conventional wastewater‑treatment systems are increasingly challenged by complex micropollutants that resist removal and raise the energy requirements of conventional filtration technologies. Many treatment plants struggle to meet water‑reuse standards without costly advanced processes.

Photocatalysis and membrane filtration each offer strengths, but their combination provides a synergistic pathway for low‑energy, high‑efficiency treatment. Photocatalysts degrade complex pollutants and reduce fouling, thereby improving the performance and energy efficiency of membrane systems. REPHOM leverages this synergy to create a robust, flexible recycling solution suitable for both potable and non‑potable applications.

The project

REPHOM objectives include:

• Developing photocatalytic materials capable of degrading complex and persistent micropollutants.
• Integrating these photocatalysts with selective membrane‑filtration processes to improve operational efficiency and reduce fouling.
• Validating the technology for different water‑reuse scenarios, including potable and non‑potable applications.
• Demonstrating energy and carbon‑footprint reductions compared to conventional advanced‑treatment processes.

The science

The scientific work integrates environmental chemistry, photocatalysis, membrane engineering, and water‑reuse systems:

• Photocatalytic degradation of organic micropollutants using advanced catalytic materials.
• Development of synergistic membrane–photocatalyst configurations to enhance treatment efficiency.
• Mechanistic studies on pollutant degradation pathways and membrane‑fouling reduction.
• Pilot‑scale evaluation of system performance for potable and non‑potable water reuse.
• Analytical assessment of water quality, operational stability, and long‑term system efficiency.

The team

The REPHOM partners are:

Prof. Dr. Chavalit Ratanatamskul (Coordinator), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Assoc. Prof. Kumar Varoon Agrawal, EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Switzerland

Prof. Patricia Luis Alconero, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Chavalit Ratanatamskul                       Email: chavalit.r@chula.ac.th 

Background

Industrial and municipal wastewater streams in Southeast Asia often contain high nutrient loads and organic pollutants. Conventional treatment systems can remove pollutants but do not typically generate valuable by‑products. Meanwhile, many commercial and industrial sites—such as public markets and food‑processing plants—produce wastewater and organic waste that could serve as resources for circular‑economy solutions.

‘Azolla’ and BSF larvae have strong potential for wastewater valorization due to their rapid growth, phytoremediation capability, and suitability as feed and fertilizer sources. Combining these biological systems with existing treatment steps allows for pollutant removal, nutrient recovery, and low‑cost resource production. AzoFarm applies this concept to real operational settings in Thailand and the Philippines, enabling local value creation and reducing environmental impacts.

The project

AzoFarm designs and validates a five‑stage decentralized wastewater valorization system:

• Stage 1 – Conventional treatment: Removal of suspended solids and primary pollutants.
• Stage 2 – Phytoremediation using ‘Azolla’: Additional nutrient and pollutant reduction where required.
• Stage 3 – ‘Azolla’ cultivation for feed: Biomass produced using treated effluent is harvested as animal feed.
• Stage 4 – Sludge + organic waste to BSF: Sludge from Stage 1 and organic wastes feed BSF larvae to produce animal feed and organic fertilizer.
• Stage 5 – Resource reuse: Treated water and recovered products (fertilizer, larvae-based feed, biomass) are reintroduced into agricultural systems.

The project proceeds in three phases:

• Phase 1: Lab-scale cascade design, evaluation of pollutant removal, and testing suitability for ‘Azolla’ and BSF growth.
• Phase 2: Pilot implementation at selected case-study sites (markets, sweet‑corn factory, meat‑processing facility).
• Phase 3: Sustainability and risk assessments including LCA, cost‑effectiveness analysis, QMRA, and stakeholder engagement to support uptake and policy pathways.

The science

The scientific work integrates wastewater engineering, phytoremediation, insect bioconversion, and sustainability assessment:

• Phytoremediation science using ‘Azolla’ to remove nutrients and improve effluent quality.
• Biological conversion of sludge and organic waste into BSF larvae biomass and organic fertilizer.
• Optimization of cascade configurations for pollutant removal, biomass production, and system efficiency.
• Pilot‑scale validation under real operational and climatic conditions.
• Environmental and economic assessments including LCA, cost‑effectiveness, and microbial risk evaluation.
• Analysis of market potential, scalability, and policy considerations for decentralized wastewater valorization.

The team

The AzoFarm partners are:

Prof. Dr. Michael Thomann (Coordinator), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Switzerland

Asst. Prof. Dr. Patiroop Pholchan, Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand

Dr. Angelo Hetutua Cabije, University of San Carlos (USC), The Philippines

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Michael Thomann                    michael.thomann@fhnw.ch 

Background

Wastewater pollution threatens ecosystems, water security, and public health. Organic matter, nutrients, and emerging contaminants from domestic, industrial, and aquaculture sources often persist in treated effluents. Many wastewater treatment plants use activated sludge processes, which are insufficient for eliminating micropollutants. Advanced treatment technologies such as ozonation or membrane systems are effective but costly and resource‑intensive.

Countries involved in WATCHµBio face similar challenges: Switzerland requires micropollutant removal in WWTPs by 2040, while Türkiye and Thailand prioritize water quality in aquaculture—an expanding sector with growing environmental impacts. Climate‑driven extreme weather further amplifies water pollution risks. WATCHµBio addresses these issues by integrating hydrogel adsorption, microbial degradation, and conductive materials into a single, scalable treatment solution.

The project

The project develops two types of hydrogels:

• Hydrogel 1: rPET copolymerized with conductive materials (e.g., polyaniline) and zeolite to support adsorption and microbial attachment.
• Hydrogel 2: rPET mixed with bio‑based polymers (e.g., PVA, starch) and powdered activated carbon for conductivity and pollutant removal.

Key objectives include:

• Designing conductive hydrogels that promote robust microbial biofilm formation.
• Testing performance in municipal and aquaculture wastewater in Türkiye and Thailand.
• Targeting removal of nitrogen nutrients and emerging contaminants such as acetochlor and metolachlor.
• Ensuring hydrogel durability, reusability, and a circular “waste‑treat‑waste” approach using recycled PET.

The science

The scientific innovation of WATCHµBio lies in integrating materials science, environmental biotechnology, and wastewater engineering:

• Development of conductive rPET‑based hydrogels for simultaneous adsorption and microbial degradation.
• Use of zeolite and activated carbon to enhance contaminant binding and support biofilm growth.
• Electrochemical characterization to analyze conductivity and pollutant‑removal mechanisms.
• Evaluation of microbial communities associated with hydrogel carriers in municipal and aquaculture wastewater.
• Real‑case validation under diverse climatic and operational conditions.

The team

The WATCHµBio partners are:

Prof. Dr. Christof Brändli (Coordinator), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Switzerland

Dr. Pamela Principi, SUPSI, Switzerland

Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Pasitsuparoad, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand

Prof. Dr. Filiz Dadaser Celik, Erciyes University (ERU), Türkiye

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Christof Brändli                         christof.braendli@zhaw.ch 

Background

Biomass production for food, materials, and energy increasingly requires sustainable and resource‑efficient cultivation methods. Geothermal water offers a naturally warm, nutrient‑rich medium that can support algal growth without synthetic inputs or additional heating. Microalgae and macroalgae are promising candidates for circular‑economy applications because they grow rapidly, require minimal land, and can be processed into diverse high‑value products.

Conventional algal farming often depends on costly media, controlled environments, and large water demand. By using geothermal water, the GeoAlganery project reduces environmental pressures while enabling efficient cultivation and conversion of biomass. The approach integrates renewable energy, innovative bioproduct synthesis, and waste valorisation into a single system that supports sustainable production pathways.

The project

GeoAlganery focuses on developing geothermal‑based algal cultivation systems and converting biomass into valuable, market‑ready bioproducts. Key objectives include:

• Optimizing Spirulina and Ulva cultivation parameters using geothermal water.
• Producing high‑value products such as pigments and ulvan‑based polymers.
• Implementing a zero‑waste framework by transforming residual biomass into biofuels and biofertilizers.
• Scaling up from laboratory cultivation to pilot‑scale systems and preparing pathways for industrial deployment.
• Evaluating market readiness and strengthening stakeholder engagement across regions.

The science

The scientific work combines algal biotechnology, geothermal resource utilisation, bioprocessing, and circular‑economy engineering:

• Cultivation science: optimisation of growth conditions for Spirulina and Ulva using geothermal water resources.
• Bioproduct extraction: isolation of functional compounds including pigments and ulvan‑based biopolymers.
• Waste valorisation: conversion of residual biomass into biofuels and nutrient‑rich biofertilizers.
• Biorefinery approaches integrating multiple processing stages for maximum resource efficiency.
• Techno‑economic, environmental, and socio‑economic assessments supporting scalability and industrial uptake.

The team

The GeoAlganery partners are:

Dr. Oya Irmak Cebeci (Coordinator), Yalova University, Türkiye 

Dr. Riahna Kembaren, Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences (i3L), Indonesia

Dr. Jose Carlos Cheel Horna, Institute of Microbiology, CAS – Centre ALGATECH, Czech Republic

Dr. Taner Senol, SOLAGRON, Türkiye

Contact:

Dr. Oya Irmak Cebeci                 oyairmak@gmail.com 

Background

Freshwater resources face growing stress due to pollution, industrial expansion, and rising demand. Ensuring clean, safe water requires effective monitoring technologies and high‑performance pollutant‑absorption materials. At the same time, global sustainability agendas call for the valorisation of waste streams and renewable raw materials. APOLLO responds to these challenges by transforming biomass residues into valuable composite materials suitable for environmental remediation. The approach aligns with circular‑economy principles and supports “zero pollution” objectives in industrial and municipal wastewater contexts.

The project

The project focuses on three major technological components:

• Biopolymers derived from marine and terrestrial biomass using environmentally friendly extraction and modification techniques.
• Conductive polymers such as poly‑indole (PIN) and modified poly‑porphyrins, enabling enhanced electrochemical sensing.
• Structuring technologies including electrospinning, electrospraying, and micro‑droplet deposition to create 3D interfaces and coatings for improved material performance.

The science

• Production and modification of biopolymers obtained from waste biomass using sustainable chemical and biotechnological methods.
• Synthesis of conductive polymers and tuning of their electronic properties for electrochemical sensing applications.
• Fabrication of composite structures through electrospinning/electrospraying to create high‑surface‑area materials.
• Comparative analysis of torrefaction and pyrolysis products from biomass precursors to optimize carbonaceous components.
• Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and related analytical techniques.

The team

The APOLLO partners are:

Dr. Elena Tomsik (Coordinator), Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (IMC), Czech Republic

Dr. Catalina Natalia Yilmaz, Dokuz Eylül University (DEU), Türkiye

Dr. Nona Merry Merpati Mitan, Universitas Pertamina (UPER), Indonesia

Dr. Mihai – Adrian Brebu, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy (ICMPP), Romania

Dr. Onur Yilmaz, ACADEMICHEM (SME), Türkiye

Contact:

Dr. Elena Tomsik                          tomsik@imc.cas.cz 

Background

Urban and peri‑urban regions in Southeast Asia face increasing pressure from population growth, climate change, and inadequate wastewater infrastructure. Untreated wastewater contributes to environmental degradation, public‑health risks, and lost opportunities for water reuse. Decentralized, low‑energy, and adaptable treatment systems have become essential to address these challenges, especially in areas with limited infrastructure or vulnerable communities. The 3S&3R project responds to these needs by combining technical innovation with socio‑economic considerations and circular‑economy principles.

The project

3S&3R pursues three core objectives:

• Development and optimization of sustainable filter materials such as biochar and sponge‑type substrates to improve pollutant removal and overall treatment efficiency.
• Enhancement of cost‑efficient biological wastewater treatment technologies to ensure adaptability and scalability for different socio‑economic settings.
• Strengthening societal uptake of decentralized treatment solutions through community engagement, awareness, and policy recommendations.

The project is structured into five Work Packages:

• WP1 assesses wastewater practices, resource recovery options, and socio‑economic conditions.
• WP2 conducts lab‑scale trials with optimized filter media.
• WP3 validates selected treatment technologies using pilot systems in Vietnam, Thailand, and Switzerland.
• WP4 develops design parameters and decision‑support tools for local implementation.
• WP5 addresses socio‑economic acceptance, awareness, and pathways toward commercialization.

The science

The scientific foundation of 3S&3R integrates materials science, biological wastewater treatment, and applied environmental engineering:

• Development and testing of biochar and sponge‑type filter media to enhance pollutant removal.
• Optimization of anaerobic–aerobic treatment configurations for decentralized systems.
• Pilot‑scale validation to assess performance under real environmental and operational conditions.
• Comparative studies across climatic and socio‑economic contexts in Vietnam, Thailand, and Switzerland.
• Integration of engineering design, environmental analytics, and decision‑support modelling.

The team

The 3S&3R partners are: 

Dr. Thu Hang Duong (Coordinator), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Wilasinee Yoochatchaval, Kasetsart University (KU), Thailand

Dipl.-Biol. Andreas Schönborn, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Switzerland

Contact

Dr. Thu Hang Duong                                 hangdt@huce.edu.vn 

Background

Small-scale farms dominate Southeast Asian agriculture, providing essential contributions to food production, ecosystem health, and rural livelihoods. These farms are under increasing threat from unsustainable land use, landscape transformation, floods, droughts, and pests, all of which are amplified by climate change. Such risks endanger food systems, human and ecosystem health, infrastructure, and land value.

To counter these risks, new development pathways are required, co-designed by research, education, and practice. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), with their systemic perspective on landscapes, offer potential solutions for climate-resilient farming. They provide opportunities to sustain livelihoods, safeguard ecosystems, and increase resilience to extreme weather events.

The project

The CRIFS project aims to:

• Co-develop and test climate-resilient IFS with local farmers and stakeholders in Cambodia and Lao PDR.
• Design strategies for mainstreaming and scaling up IFS beyond the farm level.
• Develop planning tools for local-level IFS adaptation to different agro-ecological zones and climate scenarios.
• Integrate knowledge and competences into curricula of higher education institutions and training for extension services and policymakers in Cambodia and Lao PDR.
• Advance sustainability pathways in line with the UN 2030 Agenda.

A mixed-methods, inter- and transdisciplinary research approach will be used, including participatory workshops, scientific monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.

The science

CRIFS addresses climate change resilience and adaptation in agriculture by linking applied research, field practice, and education. It will:

• Generate evidence on IFS performance under climate change conditions.
• Test and evaluate resilience of farms in participatory settings.
• Promote Education for Sustainable Development by embedding project outcomes in higher education curricula and training programs.
• Advance sustainability science through collaboration between European and Southeast Asian partners.

The team

• Dr. Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer (Coordinator), University of Bern, Switzerland
• Bounthanom Bouahom, National Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Research Institute, Lao PDR
• Sayvisene Boulom, National University of Laos, Lao PDR
• Tim Sophea, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia

Contact:
Dr. Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer                           E-Mail: julie.zaehringer@unibe.ch 

Background

One of the most pressing consequences of climate change is sea level rise, which, in combination with low-lying urbanized areas and land subsidence, creates severe risks for coastal resilience. The Netherlands, Singapore, and Indonesia (the “three sisters”) are highly exposed to this toxic combination and require robust long-term monitoring and adaptation strategies.

Geodesy provides key data on elevation, land subsidence, and sea levels, critical for policymaking and climate adaptation. Long-term, precise, and reliable measurements are required, but current infrastructures often operate in isolation. New technologies such as satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) must be integrated with existing systems (levelling campaigns, GNSS, tide gauges, gravity stations, airborne laser scanning) for effective monitoring.

The project

Three Sisters will:

• Review the existing geodetic infrastructure in the Netherlands, Singapore, and Indonesia.
• Develop metrics to assess adequacy for monitoring climate-related processes.
• Propose and design optimal integration of eight different geodetic techniques, focusing on disentangling land elevation, sea level, and subsidence signals.
• Develop algorithms and methods to estimate temporal changes in sea level and land motion.
• Establish a prototype monitoring service for situational awareness, supporting long-term climate adaptation policies.

The science

The project combines geodesy, remote sensing, earth observation, and climate science. Key advances include:

• Integration of heterogeneous geodetic benchmarks into a unified monitoring framework.
• Application of InSAR for high-resolution land subsidence monitoring.
• Linking tide gauge data with geodetic reference frames to harmonise land–sea measurements.
• Development of long-term datasets critical for climate adaptation, coastal planning, and disaster resilience.

The team

• Prof. Dr. Ramon Hanssen (CoordinatorI, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), The Netherlands
• Dr. Heri Andreas, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
• Dr. Sang-Ho Yun, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Ramon Hanssen                       E-Mail: r.f.hanssen@tudelft.nl 

Background

Southeast Asia’s coastal zones are home to millions of people, many living below the poverty line and heavily reliant on mangroves for fisheries, aquaculture, and timber. Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems that protect coasts from tsunamis and hurricanes, mitigate climate change, and support livelihoods. Yet, annual losses from deforestation, overexploitation, and climate change (sea level rise, altered rainfall) remain immense.

Despite international attention such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) current restoration often relies on ineffective monoculture plantations that fail to restore full ecological functions. There is an urgent need for an evidence-based restoration framework that addresses coastal dynamics, biodiversity, socio-economic factors, and long-term sustainability.

The project

RESCuE-2 will:

• Monitor and optimise mangrove restoration design using remote sensing, field surveys, and modelling.
• Develop multi-scale spatio-temporal information to guide effective restoration and biodiversity conservation.
• Connect local restoration actions with national and regional policy frameworks.
• Test innovative restoration strategies that go beyond monoculture plantations.
• Strengthen collaborations among European and Southeast Asian scientists, policymakers, and communities.
• Build research capacity, especially for early-career scientists in ASEAN and Europe.

The science

The project combines ecology, forestry, geography, data science, and social sciences.

• Remote sensing and GIS to map mangrove cover and monitor restoration outcomes.
• Agent-based and stochastic modelling of mangrove forest dynamics (e.g. BETTINA and MANGA models).
• Socio-ecological analysis of community-based restoration strategies.
• Comparative evaluation of restoration methods to determine ecological effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
• Policy-relevant outputs for adaptation and resilience under climate change.

The team

The RESCuE-2 partners are:

• Prof. Dr. Uta Berger (Coordinator), Technical University Dresden (TUD), Germany
• Dr. Ronny Peters, Dr. Martin Zwanzig, Dr. Robert Schlicht, TUD, Germany
• Prof. Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
• Prof. Claude Garcia, Berner Fachhochschule, Switzerland
• Dr. Hélène Dessard, Dr. Valéry Gond, CIRAD, France
• Dr. Johann Oszwald, Prof. Samuel Corgne, Université Rennes 2, France
• Stefano Cannicci, University of Florence, Italy
• Independent researchers: Dario Simonetti, Italy, Andreas Langner, Germany
• Kim Soben, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
• Meas Rithy, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia
• Assoc. Prof. Satyanarayana Behara, Ph.D. Jarina Mohd Jani, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
• Prof. Patiya Kemacheevakul, Uday Pimple, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
• Kumrom Leadprathom, Royal Forest Department, Thailand
• Sukan Punkul, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand
• Poonsri Wanthongchai, Tamanai Pravinvongvuthi, Suchart Yamprasai, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand
• Tetsu Ito, XASN Co. Ltd, Japan

Contact: 

Prof. Dr. Uta Berger                    E-Mail: uta.berger@tu-dresden.de 

Background

Methanol production from CO₂ offers dual benefits: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing a valuable industrial chemical. Cu–ZnO and MoP catalysts have shown high CO₂ conversion and methanol selectivity, while other metal oxides (Au, Zr, Ti, La, In, Ga, etc.) are also promising.

A major challenge lies in overcoming thermodynamic limitations: equilibrium constraints require high pressure, optimal temperature, and continuous removal of products (methanol, water). Membrane technologies, especially hydrophilic zeolites (e.g. LTA, SOD, ZSM-5), provide selective water permeation and shift the reaction equilibrium forward. The project focuses on developing defect-free zeolite membranes and catalyst–membrane integration for continuous operation.

The project

CH3OH in CMR will:

• Develop advanced catalyst systems (MoP, Cu–ZnO–ZrO₂ doped with metals).
• Design and fabricate NaA zeolite membranes with tailored Si/Al ratios for water selectivity and stability.
• Integrate membranes with catalysts in a three-layer catalytic membrane reactor (catalyst, zeolite, α-Al₂O₃ support).
• Demonstrate compatibility between CO₂ conversion rates and water permeation performance.
• Collaborate with industrial partner PTT to apply the technology for CO₂ management in large-scale gas plants.
• Facilitate technology transfer among research partners in Thailand, Malaysia, and Germany.

The science

The project integrates catalysis, membrane technology, chemical engineering, and materials science. Key scientific advances include:

• Catalyst optimisation for high selectivity in CO₂ hydrogenation.
• Design of defect-free zeolite membranes for selective water removal.
• Integration of reaction and separation into a single catalytic membrane reactor.
• Operando testing to optimise process conditions (pressure, temperature, selectivity).
• Contributions to CO₂ utilisation technologies aligned with the Paris Agreement and IPCC climate goals.

This approach represents a breakthrough for green methanol production and sustainable CO₂ valorisation.

The team

The CH3OH in CMR partners are:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Unalome Wetwatana Hartley (Coordinator), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Thailand
• Dr. Sebastian Wohlrab, LIKAT, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Sunway University, Malaysia
• Nuchanart Siringuan, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nur Awanis Hashim, Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia

Contact:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Unalome Wetwatana Hartley              E-Mail: unalome.w.cpe@tggs-bangkok.org