UNSW Sydney researchers are investigating whether algae biomass generated during wastewater treatment could be converted into a natural binder for manufacturing, with discarded textiles among the materials being tested.
The early-stage project, conducted with Sydney Water and Pacific Bio, is exploring whether algae biomass produced through wastewater treatment can be combined with underutilised materials to create new products.
“The opportunity is to look at this algae biomass not as an end product of wastewater treatment, but as the starting point for something else,” said Mariëtte van Bueren, Research Officer in UNSW’s School of Chemistry.
“We’re exploring whether the unique properties of algae biomass can be used to create natural binders that could replace fossil fuel-based alternatives across a wide range of manufacturing applications.”
The research builds on Sydney Water’s algae treatment trial at its Picton Water Resource Recovery Facility, where Pacific Bio’s RegenAqua technology uses native green macroalgae to remove nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
As the algae grow, they capture nutrients from the water and produce harvestable organic biomass. The UNSW team is investigating whether this biomass can be processed into a binder similar to a glue or resin and used with discarded textile fibres and other materials.
UNSW Associate Professor Anna Wang said developing the material required consideration of both its properties and potential applications.
“You need to understand where the raw materials come from, how they can be processed and whether there’s a useful application at the other end,” Wang said.
Textiles are being used as an initial test case, with more than 300,000 tonnes of clothing either sent to landfill or exported from Australia each year, according to UNSW. The researchers said recycling can be complicated by blended fibres, dyes and other components used in garments.
“A broad range of chemicals are used in textile production processes, including PFAS, glues and dyes,” van Bueren said. “To enable sustainable textile recycling, these should be removed before recirculating the material.”
Sydney Water Recycled Water Lead Emma James said recovering value from materials generated through wastewater treatment would require collaboration and further research.
“Wastewater treatment plants are called Water Resource Recovery Facilities because of the potential to harness the value of nutrients, energy and water supplies,” James said.
The UNSW team is also examining whether processing technologies could be used at a local scale, potentially allowing biomass and other underutilised materials to be processed closer to where they are generated.
The project is approaching its conclusion, with researchers aiming to produce a prototype resin and demonstrate potential applications. Van Bueren said further funding would be needed to work with Sydney Water and a textile industry partner on functional products and the technology required for further development.
The project received funding through the UNSW Science Translational Impact Seed Fund, which supports early-stage collaborations between researchers and industry and other organisations.
