Fifth Consortium Meeting in Zagreb to Advances Progresses in Industrial Water Circularity

The RESURGENCE consortium successfully concluded its 5th Consortium Meeting on February 11-12, 2026. Hosted by the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), the two-day event brought together 20 partners from across the European Union to align on the next phase of digitizing and decarbonizing industrial processes.

The meeting marked a critical transition point for the project, which is currently in its M19–M25 progress phase. Discussions focused on the integration of cutting-edge treatment technologies with advanced digital tools to improve water and energy recovery in resource-intensive sectors.

The technical sessions provided deep insights into the significant progress made across the project’s primary work packages. Partners explored advancements in hybrid biological systems and the performance assessment of Anaerobic Membrane Distillation Bioreactors (An-MDBR), specifically tailored for the pulp and paper industry. These technical deep dives were complemented by a strong emphasis on the “big picture” through focused workshops on sustainability and exploitation. By analyzing how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), economic modeling, and industrial symbiosis can turn research into real-world impact, the consortium is ensuring that its solutions remain both environmentally sustainable and commercially viable for EU industries.

As the RESURGENCE project moves into its next phase, the consortium has established a clear roadmap centered on pilot validation and the final integration of its digital solutions. The sessions concluded with a strategic alignment on experimental deadlines and data collection priorities for the project’s four major case studies.

Supported by a budget of €9.2 million under the Horizon Europe program, RESURGENCE continues to develop a versatile set of treatment options aimed at creating a more resilient and circular industrial water economy.