Manchester, November 2019

I attended the European Biosolids and Organic Resources Conference held at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The event, organised by Aqua Enviro, brought together professionals from the wastewater, bioresource and biowaste management sectors for two days of technical learning, industry updates and knowledge exchange.

The programme covered a wide range of topics relevant to current and emerging practice in the sector. The conference opened with a keynote presentation by Alexander Madden (Agrivert) on “The future of bioresource management in the UK,” providing insight into strategic direction, regulatory pressures and innovation opportunities.

Across the two days, sessions explored operational efficiencies, best practice, new technologies and ongoing research. Key technical themes included:

• Advances in anaerobic digestion
• Pre‑treatment technologies
• Process modelling and control
• Thickening and dewatering
• Resource recovery and new product development
• Landbank security
• Ammonia management
• Markets for biomethane and CO₂
• Genetic information and its application in operational decision‑making

The second day featured an international perspective with Christian Kabbe (EasyMining Germany) presenting on “Nutrient recycling in Germany: current and future approaches,” highlighting European trends and regulatory drivers.

In addition to the 60 technical sessions, the event included a trade exhibition with around 30 industry stands, a site visit, a conference dinner and a Student and Young Professionals Poster Competition, offering further opportunities for networking and professional development.

Learning Outcomes / CPD Value:

• Gained updated knowledge on regulatory changes and future direction of UK bioresource management.
• Improved understanding of technological developments in anaerobic digestion, nutrient recovery and process optimisation.
• Enhanced awareness of market opportunities for biomethane and CO₂.
• Broadened perspective through exposure to international approaches to nutrient recycling.
• Strengthened professional network through engagement with industry experts, suppliers and researchers.