OPEN MARKET CONSULTATION: Turning residuals into resources A Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP)
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On Wednesday the 2nd of October, Jos Boere, Allied Waters, together with Stephan Corvers, Corvers Procurement BV, hosted a webinar on the Alu Circles initiative ‘turning residuals into resources’. This initiative aims to procure beyond-state-of-the-art solutions and methodologies for water suppliers. Key initiators are the Dutch AquaMinerals and De Watergroep, the Brussels based water company.
The webinar is part of the recently open market consultation document which was recently published in TED. The aim is to enable interaction with the market. The webinar was held for various reasons. First, to find out about the TRL (technology readiness level) of possible market solutions which have not been deployed yet. Secondly, to inform technology & service providers on the Alu Circles initiative. Thirdly, to understand the technology & service providers’ capabilities to satisfy the procurers’ needs described in the OMC document and annexes. And finally, to reach out to technology & service providers for the co-creation of beyond-state-of-the-art solutions.
Jos Boere (Allied Waters, left) Stephan Corvers (Corvers Procurement, right)
The question in this case is how aluminium sludge can be recycled, or ‘upcycled’, and turned into valuable resources. The present routes are still restricted, however, there are interesting options on the horizon. Especially since EU and national policies focus on innovative, sustainable and circular approaches.
The beyond-state-of-the-art solution to the aluminium sludge should be realistic and financially and environmentally sound. The initiative aims to shorten the time-to-market, inclusive involvement of all relevant stakeholders and a multi-source funding of a joint challenge.
The OMC EU Survey questionnaire contains 24 questions on: Existing methodologies & solutions TRLs, R&D capabilities, Testing & prototyping and Prior Art Analysis (Patents & Standards).
