The KleVer project focuses on designing a biorefinery for the treatment of sewage sludge, based on HBI technology, which combines hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and gasification, advancing it from TRL 7 to TRL 9.

The integrated, circular approach to sludge management makes it possible to recover up to 85% of the water, produce renewable energy for self-consumption up to the point of energy neutrality of the process, eliminate micropollutants and PFAS in situ, and recover approximately 80% of the phosphorus contained in the sludge in the form of stable phosphate-rich ashes.

Together with eco-center, which manages the network of wastewater treatment plants in South Tyrol (ATO2), the potential integration of the plant within a real wastewater treatment facility will be designed, evaluating its technical characteristics, performance and business model.
The project therefore aims to deliver a de-risked detailed design, ready for possible commercial deployment, contributing to the achievement of EU circular economy and environmental sustainability goals.