Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) participates in the European Valzeo research project, a collaborative effort to design and implement sustainable uses for rice husk ash. The goal is to transform this byproduct into materials that help purify contaminated water and support biodiesel production. The UPO research team is coordinated by the Autonomous University of Barcelona, coordinating a strong European network focused on practical, environmental solutions.
Every year the European Union produces about 3.1 million tons of paddy, with Italy and Spain contributing roughly 80 percent of that total. From each ton of paddy, about 200 kilos of rice husk can be recovered, yielding around 40 kilos of rice husk ash (CCA) after combustion. Globally, the volume climbs to approximately 37 million tons, and between 2022 and 2030 the annual growth rate is projected at about 5 percent. This substantial output of CCA represents a significant waste-management challenge, as landfilling poses environmental and health risks due to respiratory effects on people and animals, as noted by UPO researchers.
In addition to its challenges, the high silicon content of rice husk ash makes it highly valuable for several innovative applications. It can be processed into silica for silicon chips, used as additives in rubber production, and incorporated into insulation and construction materials among other uses. The research focus at Valzeo is to advance zeolite photocatalysts and adsorbents by improving their stability and capacity to trap pollutants, enabling more durable and efficient materials for real-world use.
The motivation behind Valzeo centers on harnessing sunlight to combat water pollution. The project aims to address stubborn contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and dyes that resist conventional wastewater treatment. By enhancing photocatalytic and adsorption technologies, the initiative seeks to offer communities a cleaner and more sustainable water treatment option.
Biodiesel from used cooking oil
Valzeo also explores the production of biodiesel through new low-cost heterogeneous zeolite catalysts that convert used cooking oil into renewable fuels. These fuels are expected to contribute to net-zero CO2 emissions and meet rising demand, projected to reach 16.68 million tons annually. In Europe, roughly four million tonnes of used cooking oil are produced each year, presenting a substantial feedstock for increasing the share of renewable fuels in transportation by about 14 percent.
Professor Ruiz Salvador notes that UPO’s participation in Valzeo marks a meaningful contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The effort supports the development of functional materials aimed at presenting findings to Andalusian and European companies, fostering collaboration across regions. The program also offers students a hands-on platform to tackle topics with significant environmental and socioeconomic impact, while encouraging scientific and technological exchanges among researchers from European and Latin American institutions.
Valzeo currently has around one million euros in funding and aligns with SDGs that aim to ensure water availability and sustainable management, as well as the production of clean and affordable energy. The project includes partners from two Spanish universities, Università Politecnica delle Marche of Italy, and industrial collaborators such as AERIS Tecnologías Ambientales and Sutaineable Innovation Technology Services Limited. Participating organizations span public and private entities across Europe and the Americas, with collaboration extending to research centers in Cuba and the United Kingdom to broaden the impact of the work.
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The environment department expresses interest in sharing results and practical applications with industry and communities, with a focus on scalable solutions for water treatment and renewable energy generation. The team emphasizes the importance of cross-border collaboration to accelerate the transition to sustainable materials and fuels while addressing global environmental challenges. The overall aim is to create tangible benefits for society and the environment through science and innovation.