The Center of Competence ‘Clean&Circle’ held its Second Scientific Meeting with the participation of all project partners. The internal working meeting aimed to explore opportunities for synergy between the partners in the development of scientific, technological, and project activities, as the next stage in the Center’s growth.

The meeting was structured into five panels:

Panel 1: Creation and processing of scientifically based databases: tools, methods, and control technologies

Panel 2: Equipment and methods – presenting the capabilities of the laboratories

Panel 3: Biotechnologies: water, sludge, waste

Panel 4: Physico-chemical technologies: water, sludge, waste

Panel 5: Scaling-up and synergy: looking beyond the laboratories

The presented materials demonstrated that the team has significant instrumental and expert resources. Opportunities for collaboration between the teams of the different partners were outlined, aimed at achieving more productive and competitive results with high potential for practical application in support of the circular economy and clean technologies. 

The next steps include the implementation of ideas for developing business-oriented products and services: innovative methods for assessing water, sediments, and waste; biotechnologies; specialized training for businesses and industry experts, and more. Working groups will be created, and efforts will focus on developing an innovative business plan aligned with the achievements of the Center. Future scientific research will be directed toward joint R&D projects at the European level, with direct business participation.

Some of the outcomes of the meeting were presented immediately afterward to business and industry specialists by Prof. DSc. Yana Topalova during the circular economy conference “From 0% Waste to 100% Energy. Solutions for the Future,” organized by the Center’s associate partner “Sofiyska Voda” AD, part of Veolia.

Prof. Yana Topalova spoke about the successful collaboration between science and business and the solutions that are effectively being applied in practice.

Elitsa Pavlova – Assoc. Prof., PhD (researcher at the Center of Competence ‘Clean&Circle’ from the Faculty of Physics, Sofia University) presented a completely new for Bulgaria indicator and indicator-based technology for monitoring and assessing water pollution using the principle of luminescence. The equipment and researchers’ work have been supported through project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019: “Clean Technologies for Sustainable Environment – Water, Waste, Energy for Circular Economy,” funded by the Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth,” co-financed by the European Union through the European Structural and Investment Funds.

The presentations by representatives of Sofiyska Voda, part of Veolia, participants from the business sector, and winners from the Innovation Starter Accelerator were an inspiration and a confirmation that only through joint action can we achieve a more sustainable future for the next generations of this planet. The Center of Competence Clean&Circle has the potential to serve as a hub for innovation, expert qualification, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship in support of a highly efficient resource- and energy-based low-carbon economy.

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