Ecorkwaste final results have been presented

This December Polytechnic University of Catalonia has been the place were the final results of Ecorkwaste project has been presented.

The conference was attended by all the partners of the project: UPC, Institut Català del Suro, Fundació CTM Centre Tecnològic, Grup TYPSA and INNOVI.

The participants have explained the conclusions reached during the development of the project in their different fields of study: cork production and cork by-product characteristics, treatment wetland pilot plant and pilot plant gasification.

The project shows positive results. On one hand, the treatment wetland has treated 200m3 of residual waste from the cellar and the results have shown a 95% elimination of pesticides and a 90% elimination of COD.  On the other hand, in the gasification plant a quality SYNGAS has been obtained for use in cogeneration engines with an average calorific value (LCP) of 4,943 kJ / m3 or 8748.7 kJ / kg of cork. 

In the meeting it has also been discussed the environmental viability of the new treatment scheme that shows that cork gasification is a successful Circular Economy way for obtain resources (energy) from waste (cork), a more sustainable energy production system against conventional schemes and a feasible alternative for cork landfilling, avoiding its environmental problems.

Regarding, the wetland pilot plant, the projecte has demonstrated that the wetland allows to g beyond legal restrictions regarding wastewater dumping, already accomplished by Codorniu WWTP, the environmental performance of Wetland solution depends on energy sources and that it reduce pressure over local water bodies and rivers.

The meeting has ended with an exhibition on the socioeconomic impact of the project, the presentation of an Integrated Plan for Waste Management for the Cork Industry and the dissemination and communication activities of the project.