The integrated Adsorption-Oxidation (AdOx) process is a promising technology for removing organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceutical and personal care product residues, from the wastewater treatment plant effluent. Using high-silica zeolite granules as a selective adsorbent in fixed-bed filtration, AdOx combines adsorption with in-situ regeneration using ozone gas, offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution without harmful chemicals or by-products.
Following six years of research, AdOx obtained the TTT-CT ticket for commercialization, focusing on three areas: market study, granule development, and process optimization.
The market study identified water boards as the main users, as municipal wastewater accounts for 90% of micropollutant discharge. While water boards prefer established suppliers to startups, AdOx’s low CO2 emissions, low operational costs, and absence of toxic by-products make it appealing to technology integrators. New lab tests on granule development showed improved strength, size, and faster adsorption kinetics, making mass production viable. Process optimization efforts reduced regeneration time and enhanced pollutant removal efficiency.
AdOx concluded that creating a spin-off was not viable (yet) but making the technology ready for transfer to third-party integrators (license business model) was much more preferred. A new granule development project, funded by TKI Watertechnologie, is ongoing, positioning AdOx for future large-scale polishing step for wastewater treatment applications.