ALZEO Workshop Day 1: Innovation and Collaboration at the Heart of Circular Economy
The first day of the VALZEO International Workshop – Cuba 2025, held on May 30 at Hotel Habana Libre in Havana, was a celebration of collaborative science, circular economy, and international knowledge exchange. Organized under the Horizon Europe project VALZEO (GA 101086354), the event brought together European and Cuban researchers, institutions, and innovation stakeholders to explore sustainable technologies for water treatment and biofuel production.
The day opened with a warm welcome by Dr. Vilma Hidalgo de los Santos (Fundación Universidad de La Habana), followed by a special presentation of the VALZEO project by Dr. Manuel Valiente (UAB), who outlined the consortium’s mission to transform agro-industrial waste into value-added materials.
Dr. Leonardo Piccinetti (SITES) delivered a keynote on VALZEO’s circular economy approach, setting the tone for a full day of scientific dialogue.
Two key technical panels followed:
🔬 Panel I – Raw Material Characterization & Silica Extraction, moderated by Dr. Roberto Boada (UAB), featured:
- Dr. Ana Adelfa (IIGranos): Collection and processing of rice husk and ash
- Dr. Luis Cepero Casas (EEPFIH): Biomass valorisation in furnaces and gasifiers
- Dr. Yudith Lugo (EEPFIH): Ash characterization
- Dr. Yusleydi Enamorado Horrutiner (UH): Silicon extraction for zeolite synthesis
💧 A special intervention was delivered by Dr. Francesco Fatone (UNIVPM), who addressed the challenges of circular water treatment management.
🧪 Panel II – Materials for Water Treatment, moderated by Dr. Rabdel Ruiz-Salvador (UPO), featured:
- Dr. Tania Farías Piñera (UH): Synthetic vs. natural zeolites
- Dr. Menta Ballesteros Martin (UPO): Zeolite catalysts for antibiotic-resistant contaminants
- Dr. Rabdel Ruiz-Salvador (UPO): Role of simulation in materials science
- Dr. Roberto Boada (UAB): MOFs in water treatment
- ZPRIME team: LCA and LCC of silica-based processes
- Dr. Josep Torà (AERIS): Industrial water treatment technologies
The day concluded with a vibrant Science Café, encouraging open discussion and knowledge sharing between European and Cuban partners.
This dynamic first day reinforced VALZEO’s commitment to fostering science-based solutions that address global sustainability challenges through circular innovation.
