Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WTERT)

We are proud to share outstanding news from our global network!

Prof. Alex Godoy-Faúndez, Chair of WtERT Chile hosted at Centro de Investigación en Sustentabilidad y Gestión Estratégica de Recursos at
Universidad del Desarrollo, has been appointed Scientific Advisor to the Chair’s team of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution, convened by UN Environment Programme.

This important role contributes to the development of a future legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, one of the most critical environmental negotiations shaping the future of materials, sustainability, and global governance.

Prof. Godoy’s work has been widely recognized for advancing Waste-to-Value approaches, with a strong focus on circular economy models for bio-resources and electronic waste, developed in close collaboration with recyclers and industry stakeholders. His research emphasizes resource efficiency, material recovery, and the integration of science into practical, scalable solutions.

His appointment reflects a broader commitment to bridging science, industry, and policy, contributing to international efforts through organizations such as the International Science Council and International Organization for Standardization, as well as global assessments including Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

This appointment highlights the importance of science-driven circular solutions in addressing plastic pollution at a global scale.

Congratulations to Prof. Godoy for this well-deserved recognition.

The 13th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management – KOS 2026, organized in collaboration with our WtERT Greece regional network hosted at National Technical University of Athens, will take place in Kos Island from 24–28 June 2026.

Discover more & register:KOS 2026 Official Website (https://kos2026.uest.gr)

Congratulations to our WtERT Greece Chair Prof. Maria Loizidou and to Prof. Konstantinos Moustakas, as well as the entire team, for organizing this major event within the WtERT network!

Highlights:
• Draft agenda and venue now announced — registration is open
• Executive Training (Summer School) on Solid Waste Management & Circular Economy (22–23 June)
• LCA4WASTE Summer School for PhD students: hands-on learning, real case studies, and guided LCA practice with experts
• Unique networking with global researchers and professionals

Beyond the conference:
• Cultural & technical visits including Asklepieion and the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos
• Excursion to Nisyros Island (volcano & Volcanological Museum)
• Welcome Cocktail & Gala Dinner

A unique platform at the intersection of science, policy, and innovation in circular economy and sustainable waste management.

The International Conference on Power Engineering 2026 (ICOPE-2026) in Hangzhou highlighted the growing role of Waste-to-Energy in the global low-carbon transition.

Chaired by Prof. Yan Jianhua, Chairman of WtERT and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, and featuring a keynote by Prof. Huang Qunxing, Executive President of WtERT, Vice-Dean College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University on AI-driven Waste-to-Energy, the conference showcased how innovation is accelerating sustainable waste management worldwide.

Read more: https://wtert.org/icope-2026-ai-waste-to-energy-low-carbon-transition/

WtERT and the Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE/USP) at the University of São Paulo have signed an MoU to advance research, education, and sustainable technologies for recovery of energy and materials from residual waste in Brazil.

This partnership strengthens Brazil’s sustainable waste management ecosystem and host the WtERT Brazil network at USP, bringing together academia, industry, and partners to accelerate Waste-to-Energy and Waste-to-X solutions.

WtERT also welcomes Prof. Carlos Eduardo Keutenedjian Mady and Prof. Priscila Camiloti from (IEE/USP), who will join the Global WtERT Council and serve as Co-Chairs of WtERT Brazil, the regional network representing WtERT members in the country.
Read more: https://wtert.org/wtert-usp-brazil-waste-to-energy-mou/
USP - Universidade de São Paulo

WtERT is proud to be a supporting organization of the 2026, hosted by , a key global platform shaping the future of the utilities sector.

WtERT is mobilizing its global academic network around this event to raise awareness of the critical role of Waste-to-Energy in addressing methane emissions from landfills and advancing sustainable utilities worldwide.

We invite our members and partners to be part of this global conversation, share expertise, and support the integration of WtE in sustainable infrastructure.

Date: 19–21 May 2026 | Abu Dhabi
Register to visit: https://rb.gy/adxyi1
Book your delegate pass with discount for WtERT members: https://tinyurl.com/Delegate-Pass

New Paper Publication:
Dual valorization of phosphogypsum and fly ash in cement mortar: experimental performance and environmental assessment

This study demonstrates how industrial by-products can be safely and effectively valorized as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), contributing to low-carbon construction and circular economy objectives.

Authors: Alain Tèebwaoga Sina, Jamal Ait Brahim, Bilal Ben Ali, Brahim Achiou & Redouane Beniazza

Key Highlights:
• Dual use of purified phosphogypsum and fly ash as SCMs in cement mortar
• Achieved compressive strength up to 45.7 MPa with 20% clinker reduction
• Leaching tests confirmed heavy metal concentrations below U.S. EPA limits
• Delivered 16% CO₂ emissions reduction, supporting circular economy and climate targets

Free full-text access: https://rdcu.be/eYg5Z
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-025-00271-0

New Paper Publication:
Optimizing calorific value of energy briquettes from agricultural biomass: a novel approach utilizing maize and cassava residues

This study presents an innovative pathway for valorizing agricultural residues into high-energy biomass briquettes, offering practical solutions for clean cooking, energy access, and deforestation reduction, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Authors: Jacques Romain Njimou, Grâce Murielle Ngami Danga, Musongo Balike, Zara Haman, Esther Maurelle Ngouyamnsa-Ghenmi, Rives Mallet Tcheulo Njike, Oben Bessem Genola, André Talla & Nkeng George Elambo

Key Highlights:
• Optimized conversion of maize and cassava residues into energy briquettes using pyrolysis and statistical modeling
• Comprehensive evaluation of physicochemical and mechanical properties following ASTM and NF standards
• Achieved a maximum calorific value of 5,468 kcal/kg at optimized moisture and fixed-carbon levels
• Demonstrated maize-based briquettes as a sustainable alternative to charcoal, supporting clean energy transition and forest protection

Free full-text access: https://rdcu.be/eYg6X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-025-00268-9

New Paper Publication Springer:
Investigation of PTA-/TWAS-/HVOF-NiCr coatings against high-temperature corrosion in waste-to-energy superheater

High-temperature corrosion remains a critical operational challenge for waste-to-energy (WtE) superheaters. This study evaluates the field performance of different NiCr coating technologies under real WtE operating conditions.

Authors: Xiuju Zhang, Huan Liu, Anqi Song, Geyi Wang & Hong Yao

Key Highlights:
• Field trial comparison of PTA, TWAS, and HVOF NiCr coatings
• PTA-NiCr coating showed excellent performance in both low- and high-temperature superheater zones
• HVOF-NiCr coating performed well in low-temperature zones but suffered significant localized loss at high temperatures
• Low coating density in HVOF systems led to interfacial Fe oxidation and coating spallation

Free full-text access: https://rdcu.be/eYg4l
DOI: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42768-025-00267-w

New Paper Publication:
Enhancing the sustainable performance of waste-derived alkali-activated materials via carbon nanotubes reinforcement—a critical review

This critical review examines how carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement can improve the mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability of waste-derived alkali-activated materials, offering insights for next-generation low-carbon construction materials.

Authors: Fangli Zhao, Baomin Wang & Zhengyue Ren

Key Highlights:
• Systematic review of advances in CNT-modified alkali-activated materials
• Persistent challenges in achieving uniform CNT dispersion due to complex liquid-phase environments
• Critical analysis of reinforcement mechanisms and governing performance factors
• Identification of research gaps and future application potential for sustainable construction

Free full text: https://rdcu.be/eYgSj
DOI: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42768-025-00266-x

New Paper Publication:
Biodegradable or bottleneck? A critical review of anaerobic digestion of bioplastics

As bioplastics gain attention as sustainable alternatives, this comprehensive review critically examines their real-world performance in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems, highlighting both opportunities and unresolved challenges.

Authors: Banafsheh Mashhadi, Alsayed Mostafa, Paolo Salvatore Calabrò & Bipro Ranjan Dhar

Key Highlights:
• Bioplastics degrade more slowly than conventional organic waste in AD
• Thermophilic conditions enhance degradation, while some bioplastics degrade under mesophilic conditions
• Pretreatment and longer hydraulic retention times improve degradation performance
• Toxic elements released from bioplastics can reduce microbial activity and methane yield
• Residual bioplastics in digestate raise concerns for soil and environmental health

Free full text: https://rdcu.be/eYgWV
DOI:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42768-025-00265-y