AquaInSilico demonstrates Upwater® in an industrial wastewater pilot with Bondalti Water

AquaInSilico is proud to announce the completion of a demonstrator project with Bondalti Water, supported by Portugal’s PRR Green Vouchers programme.

The initiative highlighted the potential of Upwater®, AquaInSilico’s proprietary digital platform, at a large-scale industrial wastewater treatment plant in Navarra, Spain, operated by Bondalti Water and serving multiple food processing industries.

For AquaInSilico, this was a significant challenge and milestone. The project initiated in 2024 and started by processing and reconciling extensive data from a major industrial pilot, demonstrating not only the robustness of the technology but also confirming its adaptability to complex and variable industrial conditions.

At the core of the project, Upwater® was used to mimic and simulate multiple operational scenarios, providing tailored, data-driven strategies to optimise plant performance. As a pilot demonstrator, the project focused on showcasing core functionalities, identifying key performance indicators that ensure robust operation, maximizing pollutant removal at lower cost, and assessing adaptability to industrial conditions. Over the course of the demonstrator, Upwater® enabled a detailed study of six operational strategies, leading to the identification of the most effective approaches to:

• Improve control of key parameters such as dissolved oxygen, solids concentration or recirculation of in the activated sludge process;
• Reduce energy consumption particularly that associated with the aeration of the aerobic reactors in the activated sludge system;
• Ensure sustainability, contributing to the development of strategies for resource efficiency within a production model based on a Circular Economy strategy.

Upwater® leverages advanced intelligence algorithms to deliver predictive insights and facilitate preventive actions, helping managers and operators dealing with disturbances, reduce operating costs, and explore the potential for upcycling wastewater.

This demonstrator highlights the value of collaboration between AquaInSilico and Bondalti Water. The partnership provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate Upwater®’s capabilities in a challenging industrial context and also reinforced the role of digital platforms in building a more efficient and sustainable wastewater sector.

Jorge Santos, CEO of AquaInSilico, said: “This collaboration demonstrates the power of Upwater® to transform industrial wastewater management. By enabling smarter and more efficient decision-making, we are helping major partners like Bondalti Water achieve significant economic and environmental impact.”

Jose B. Carbajo, Head of R&D department at Bondalti Water, added: “The project illustrates the added value of advanced simulations, as well as AquaInSilico’s strong scientific and technical expertise. It reinforces Bondalti Water’s commitment to innovation through smart water solutions and digitalisation.”

This project was made possible through the Green Vouchers initiative of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), which supports pilot projects by startups, funding the initial demonstration of innovative technologies. The 18-month initiative strengthens AquaInSilico’s ability to demonstrate the adaptability of green digital products to diverse customer profiles and operating contexts.