Turning waste into value requires more than technology
Across the water sector, the drive to recover valuable resources from wastewater and organic waste is gathering pace.
Biosolids become biochar. Organic waste produces renewable energy and fuels. Nutrients are recovered for agriculture. Carbon and other resources become raw materials for new bio-based products.
The permutations are endless and the potential enormous.
But recovery is only the beginning.
The bigger challenge is creating the value chains and markets that allow these resources to be used at scale. And that requires the entire ecosystem that we are bringing together in Lisbon:
- Utilities and industries generating resource streams
- Technology companies recovering and transforming them
- Engineering companies taking solutions to scale
- Policymakers and regulators creating the right conditions
- Researchers providing the science and evidence
- Bio-based industries capable of turning recovered resources into commercially valuable products
Working alongside key partners including AtkinsRéalis, Águas de Portugal, Cambi, CIMICO, Water Alliance, Global Omnium and Drylet, the inaugural WEX Global Bioeconomy Summit is bringing together the organisations needed to turn circular bioeconomy ambition into practical action.
From 2–4 November 2026, they will be joined in Lisbon by an international community of utilities, governments, engineering companies, technology innovators, researchers and industry.
Together, we want to move the conversation beyond: “What can we recover?”
to the much bigger question: “How do we create the partnerships, infrastructure and markets that allow us to recover it at scale?”
Could your organisation be part of that conversation?
Explore the programme, discover the organisations and speakers already joining us, and find out how you can participate.
