EU-Horizon2020 collaborations
TAUW is an active participant in several EU-Horizon2020 projects, each focused on advancing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative solutions for environmental challenges. These projects bring together leading academic institutions and private sector partners from across Europe, ensuring that new scientific insights are translated into practical applications.

MIBIREM – Innovative Technological Toolbox for Bioremediation
MIBIREM is a European initiative that brings together 11 partners from six countries, including TAUW, to develop an innovative technological toolbox for bioremediation. The project unites cutting-edge microbiome research centres and biotechnology companies to address the risks posed by contaminated sites. By targeting pollutants such as cyanides, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC), MIBIREM aims to deliver advanced cleaning technologies that can be applied to complex environmental problems. TAUW’s role is to ensure that these scientific advancements are effectively implemented in real-world remediation projects.
REMEDI – Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment
In the REMEDI project, TAUW collaborates on research and development of new methodologies for treating pharmaceutical substances in wastewater. Many pharmaceuticals are excreted by humans in forms that conventional sewage treatment plants cannot adequately remove, posing a challenge for water quality. REMEDI focuses on creating technologies capable of capturing and recycling these persistent substances. TAUW’s involvement ensures that the solutions developed are not only innovative but also feasible for adoption by water utilities and municipalities.
RECYCLE – Recovery of Pesticides from Agricultural Runoff
The RECYCLE project sees TAUW working alongside partners to develop technologies for trapping and recovering pesticide residues from agricultural land. Pesticides applied over large areas often end up in soil and surface water, creating risks for ecosystems and human health. RECYCLE aims to intercept these contaminants from agricultural drainage systems and polluted water bodies. TAUW contributes by facilitating the practical implementation of the knowledge and technologies generated within the project, helping to bridge the gap between research and field application.
BIOSYSMO – Synergistic Bioremediation of Mixed Pollutants
BIOSYSMO is focused on the synergistic bioremediation of mixed pollutants in soils, sediments, and water. The project explores innovative approaches, such as genetically optimized plants and microbes, as well as artificial consortia and biofilms, to enhance the breakdown of complex contaminant mixtures. TAUW plays a key role in knowledge exchange, recently hosting the BIOSYSMO General Assembly to foster collaboration and technical discussion among European partners.
GREENER – Integrated Systems for Effective Environmental Remediation
Within the GREENER project, TAUW is involved in the development and upscaling of sustainable and cost-effective bioremediation solutions. GREENER integrates a variety of green technologies, including bio-electrochemical systems, to accelerate the removal of pollutants from soil and water while generating valuable by-products like bioelectricity. TAUW leads efforts in field demonstrations and provides contaminated samples from sites across Europe, ensuring that the solutions are robust and ready for practical deployment.
PFAS-FREE – Tackling PFAS Contamination
TAUW is a partner in the PFAS-FREE initiative, which includes the EU LIFE PFASTER project. This project addresses the urgent issue of PFAS contamination at industrial sites, bringing together expertise from Belgium, the Netherlands, and other European countries. TAUW leads work on eco- and human-toxicological risk analysis, the development of innovative PFAS remediation techniques, and the creation of systematic regional approaches for PFAS management. This ensures that new scientific findings are rapidly translated into effective strategies for tackling PFAS pollution.
Through these projects, TAUW demonstrates its commitment to advancing environmental science and engineering by connecting academic research with practical solutions that benefit communities and ecosystems across Europe.
