06/08/2026
Treating wastewater from the oil industry remains one of the sector's greatest environmental challenges. Funded by the European Union's LIFE Programme, the LIFE WATEROIL project explored an integrated biotechnological approach using bioactivators containing selected microorganisms, enzymes, and nutrients to improve both wastewater and air quality in a refinery.
The results showed a reduction of more than 60 tonnes of wastewater pollutants per year, including petroleum hydrocarbons, phenols, nitrogen, and sulphides. At the same time, air quality improved significantly, with odour emissions reduced by over 99%, alongside major reductions in hydrogen sulphide and non-methane volatile organic compounds.
By combining biological treatments with infrastructure improvements, the project demonstrates how biotechnology can help industries reduce emissions, improve treatment efficiency, and support more sustainable industrial operations.
Read the full research in the Proceedings of Ecomondo 2025.