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[...]Editorial on the topic ”ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY” by Prof. Dr. Franz Bischof ”Energy”! A word that electrifies and invites discussion like no other at the moment. Everyone in this country now knows about the importance of energy – and its availability and costs. And it is energy carriers, heat and electricity, i.e. the conversion products of our technical processes that are subject to losses, that keep our lives and those of industry in this country “running and alive” and at the same time make them easier. 1,000,000 billion joules of primary energy consumption But have you ever actually thought about how much energy is needed in Germany every year? According to the latest figures from the Working Group on Energy Balances from September 2022, Germany has a primary energy consumption of 12,413 petajoules. That doesn't sound like little – and it isn't. Peta represents the figure 10 to the power of 15, or put more simply: 1,000,000 billion. Such huge numbers are completely beyond our imagination and mental images are needed to grasp their significance. A 78,191-kilometre freight train Let us imagine, then, that this primary energy in the form of hard coal would have to be transported to Germany by a freight train. The freight wagons usually used for this purpose have a payload of 65 tonnes and a length of 12 metres. It would be a long freight train: consisting of a good 6.5 million wagons or a total length of 78,191 kilometres! Every year we empty this “special train to Germany” twice around the earth's equator. Households, transport and industry share the final consumption more or less equally – about 20 % each. And almost as much primary energy, almost 18 %, is lost through the conversion of primary energy into final energy. Saving energy, recovering energy and new forms of production Saving energy wherever possible, recovering it and finding new forms of energy production is therefore the top priority as long as it is not possible to substitute primary energy consumption from predominantly fossil energy sources with regenerative energy sources on a large scale. Wastewater contains chemical and thermal energy Wastewater seems to be a very interesting medium for this and could make an important contribution. On the one hand, wastewater contains chemically bound energy that microorganisms can release in anaerobic processes in a controlled manner in the form of the energy carrier methane. On the other hand, the thermal energy stored in wastewater should be of great interest. Per degree Celsius, one cubic metre of wastewater has the energy quantity of 1.16 kWh. This means that wastewater could theoretically replace 1 cubic metre of natural gas if 1000 litres of it were cooled by about 9 degrees Celsius through heat extraction. Heating with wastewater instead of natural gas! Using high energy potential through adapted heat exchange systems Such applications in the area of municipal sewers are unrealistic, however, because this would impair the purification process at the sewage treatment plant too much. Cooling by 1 to 2 degrees, however, is usually no problem and even on this relatively small scale has a high energy or heat potential. However, it is not uncommon for wastewater or process water to be produced at relatively high temperatures in municipalities or in industrial production processes. In future, it should no longer be possible to do without this energy. However, efficient heat exchange systems that are adapted to the special features of wastewater are the technical prerequisite for this goal in order to be able to create sustainable heat utilisation concepts for the respective case. The future of energy-recovering and energy-efficient processes and products In the overall view of wastewater technology, the future of energy-recovering and energy-efficient processes and products did not just begin yesterday. The use of waste heat from wastewater is becoming more and more established; electric drives with improved efficiency are being used more and more. New wastewater treatment processes aim to remove organic matter from wastewater in the influent of wastewater treatment plants in order to produce more methane in digesters and at the same time reduce the energy required for the aerobic treatment processes in the wastewater treatment plant. New and innovative monitoring processes to detect excessive wear on machinery are being developed as part of the advancing digitalisation to detect unnecessary energy consumption at an early stage. In addition, digitalisation in combination with intelligent evaluation of data opens up completely new possibilities for optimising processes: for example, less sludge accumulation and lower precipitant consumption. While these benefits may not be recognised as energy-saving measures at first glance, they are still a major challenge. Intelligent design, lightweight materials, quality and durability At second glance, however, they show up in the reduction of chemicals and transport, or in other words: saving energy by “not producing” and “not driving kilometres”. Intelligent design of machines or the choice of lightweight materials with the aim of reducing weight are also directly related to the saving of energy for production and transport. The high quality of products and, consequently, their durability, in turn, form the basis for the economical use of raw materials required for their manufacture. Product quality should therefore always be seen in a positive context with energy saving. The technical symbiosis of energy and sustainability Many of these examples show that the responsible use of energy is inseparably linked to sustainable wastewater technology. Energy and sustainability have come together to form a remarkable technical symbiosis. From this perspective, wastewater technology in all its fields of application will also be able to make an important contribution to shortening our "freight train full of energy" in the future. You just have to do it, according to the saying: "Doing is like wanting, only more intense!” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Franz Bischof is a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering / Environmental Engineering for the subject "Processes for Water, Air and Soil Pollution Control" at the East Bavarian Technical University Amberg-Weiden.[...]

[...]An early Christmas present at the end of 2022: HUBER expands its social media channels and from now on also posts on Instagram about all news from Berching and the whole (HUBER) world. HUBER SE on Instagram: @huber.se In future, Instagram will be another channel for external corporate communication: in addition to short reports on products, projects and personnel, a focus will also be on expanding and strengthening the employer brand and recruiting. Instagram is the fifth social media channel that HUBER manages from the company headquarters in Berching/Erasbach – from Berching to the whole world in real time, so to speak.[...]

[...]High-ranking delegation visited HUBER China: German Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke visited the Chinese subsidiary of HUBER SE as part of the Sino-German Environmental Forum. The management of HUBER Environmental Technology (China) Co., Ltd. welcomed the Minister and gave her a tour of the production facility in Taicang (Jiangsu Province) after a joint exchange and company presentation. The visit also served as an opportunity to discuss innovative environmental technologies and the importance of water and wastewater treatment. In addition to Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, other high-ranking personalities took part in the visit, including Pit Heltmann (Head of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai), Prof Dr Dirk Messner (Head of the Federal Environment Agency), Stefan Tidow (State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) and Eva Kracht (Head of the Department for International and European Affairs at the German Federal Environment Ministry). Federal Minister Lemke: ”Innovative and economically valuable environmental technologies” Federal Minister Steffi Lemke expressed her appreciation for HUBER's leading role in the environmental technology sector and emphasised the importance of increased cooperation between Germany and China in environmental protection. She emphasised the need to promote technologies that contribute to overcoming global environmental problems: ”This shows very vividly how innovative and economically valuable environmental technologies can be,” said Lemke. ”We are currently facing two future challenges in water treatment: firstly, the purification of wastewater that contains too many plastic particles and pharmaceutical residues, and secondly, the need to save water.” ”Protecting the environment is of great value and benefit to today's generation," said Xu Xiaojun, General Manager of HUBER China. ”We have worked hard and continue to do so to find sustainable solutions to China's wastewater and sludge problems, and our goal is to protect the environment on which we all depend.”[...]

[...]HUBER Technology are pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Ockwell as Sales Director. Kevin brings a wealth of experience to the role. Since joining HUBER in 2007 as Operations Manager, he has gone on to successful built HUBER’s Aftersales business across the country, and more recently took responsibility for capital sales and hire. Kevin will head up a strong, experienced Sales Team in the UK and Ireland and will be focusing on increasing the sales of established HUBER products as well as introducing new and innovative HUBER products and services into the market. Kevin says on his new appointment “I am incredibly excited and very much looking forward to this new challenge. Working with a great team at HUBER both professional and knowledgeable, I am sure that we can continue to grow from strength to strength as a business supporting our diverse customer base. With the confidence that we have the ability to support our customers with a high quality solution we can push on into the industry to exceed our company vision and achieve some great things.” Speaking of Kevin Ockwell’s appointment, Steve Morris, Managing Director said, “We are delighted to have Kevin in this key position, at an exciting time for our business. Kevin’s experience and knowledge of the industry, coupled with his strong customer focus will ensure we are driving value for our customers”. Kevin will be working closely with Business Development Director, Mike Willis, to further position HUBER as market leaders, delivering wastewater solutions and asset maintenance services for sludge, inlet works and industrial applications.[...]

[...]On Thursday, 5 October, the wastewater syndicate SIDEST (Syndicat Intercommunal de Dépollution des eaux résiduaires de l'Est) together with HUBER and ProMinent invited to the final symposium "Removal of Micropollutants and Water Reuse". More than 100 participants from Luxembourg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg were presented with the results of the 18-month trial operation at the Grevenmacher wastewater treatment plant. After the very informative and varied lecture blocks in the morning, the participating planners, operators and decision-makers were able to see the demonstration plant for themselves in the afternoon. The plant installed at the Grevenmacher WWTP consists of a HUBER Pile Cloth Media Filter RotaFilt® , ozonation and activated carbon adsorption . Since March 2022, it has been convincing with stable plant operation and very good elimination of micropollutants. The treated wastewater (240 m³/d) is reused as process water at the treatment plant all year round, and during the dry summer months even in viticulture and on urban green spaces. Further information on advanced wastewater treatment can be found here at our website .[...]

[...]WTE Wassertechnik GmbH takes over the 50% share in sludge2energy GmbH of HUBER SE WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, the service provider for the design and construction of plants for drinking water supply, wastewater disposal and thermal waste treatment, takes over HUBER SE's 50% share in sludge2energy GmbH. sludge2energy GmbH was founded jointly by WTE Wassertechnik GmbH and HUBER SE in 2012. The main business purpose of the company is the planning, construction and operation of thermal sewage sludge utilisation plants for the generation of heat and energy, which make an important contribution to waste disposal security and environmental protection. WTE Wassertechnik GmbH handles large-scale sewage sludge utilisation projects both in Germany and internationally and intends to further expand its market position. The experience gained so far in sludge2energy GmbH and the current project portfolio are a good complement to this. With the sale of the 50% share in sludge2energy GmbH, HUBER SE intends to withdraw from the business as a plant manufacturer for mono sludge treatment plants in order to be able to further expand and focus its successful strategic market position in the sludge drying sector. WTE Wassertechnik GmbH and HUBER SE intend to continue to cooperate successfully in the execution of projects in the future. The transaction is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.[...]

[...]Altmühl-Jura KlimaFit project aims to raise awareness for water and climate Round table with lectures on water and climate, networking talks, and company presentation and tour at HUBER SE Dr. Johann Grienberger (Chief Technology Officer): ”water one of the crucial future issues for mankind” On Thursday, 17 November, the HUBER Forum at the company's headquarters in Berching-Erasbach hosted a round table of the Altmühl-Jura Regional Management on the topic of “Water Future of the Altmühl- Jura Region”. After informative presentations on the future of water and the effects of climate change in the regions of Upper Palatinate and Southern Franconian Alps, a presentation of the HUBER company and subsequent networking discussions, the approximately 50 guests took part in a plant tour. The worldwide climate change has long been felt in the Altmühl-Jura region, which is why measures are planned in the newly launched Altmühl-Jura KlimaFit project to create and promote awareness of the climate issue among the population. On the other hand, platforms are to be offered to discuss the need for action and to work out solutions with experts in the field. As a company based in the municipality of Berching, HUBER provided the platform for the round table on the future of water in the region. Dr Johann Grienberger (Chief Technology Officer): ”Water one of the crucial topics for the future” Dr Johann Grienberger, HUBER's Chief Technology Officer, who is responsible for sustainability and environmental protection, among other things, gave a presentation on the company and emphasised the importance of water and sustainability: ”Water is one of the crucial future issues for mankind. As a continuously growing and globally active company, we will of course continue to make our contribution in the field of water and wastewater treatment and the treatment of sewage sludge. According to our motto: ’We drive the sustainable use of water, energy and resources’.” Andreas Brigl (Managing Director Altmühl-Jura GmbH and First Mayor of Markt Titting): ”Nothing works without water, water is life” Andreas Brigl, Managing Director of Altmühl-Jura GmbH and First Mayor of Markt Titting, thanked HUBER for the invitation to the company's headquarters and highlighted the company's excellent reputation. On the focus topic of the event, he said: ”Nothing works without water, water is life. The effects of water scarcity and climate change are already being felt today. It is time to be careful with the most important resource we have. The goal must be to leave a livable environment for future generations.” Great Interest in the Topic and the HUBER Company With the help of evaluation forms, the team of the Altmühl-Jura regional management, consisting of Silke Arnold and Natalie Breitmoser, who took over the moderation of the evening, evaluated the feedback from the visitors. ”The visitors were very interested in the topic of the evening and in the HUBER company,” says Natalie Breitmoser. ”They all gave very good ratings and would participate in an event of this format again at any time, which of course pleases us and shows the great interest in the topics of water, environment and sustainability.” The Programme „”Water in the Southern Franconian Alps in Times of Climate Change” Dipl.-Geologe Prof. Dr. Martin Trappe (Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt) ”Climate – Water – What can we do here?” Stephan Daum (Ingolstadt Water Management Office for the district of Eichstätt) Manuel Philipp (Nuremberg Water Management Office for the district of Roth) AKTION GRUNDWASSERSCHUTZ – Drinking Water for the Upper Palatinate Claudia Muhr (Government of the Upper Palatinate) Presentation of HUBER SE Dr Johann Grienberger (Chief Technology Officer HUBER SE) „ Networking talks Company tour of HUBER SE The Altmühl-Jura Region The Altmühl-Jura region lives from the cooperation and joint collaboration of the twelve municipalities of Altmannstein, Beilngries, Berching, Breitenbrunn, Denkendorf, Dietfurt, Greding, Kinding, Kipfenberg, Mindelstetten, Titting and Walting in the three districts of Eichstätt, Roth and Neumarkt i.d.OPf. in the three administrative districts of Upper Bavaria, Central Franconia and Upper Palatinate. In 2008, the twelve member municipalities came together under the umbrella of Altmühl-Jura and have since realised numerous projects in intensive exchange in very different subject areas that are important for the region. For this purpose, the two funding instruments “Regional Management Bavaria” and “LEADER” are promoted in the joint office in Beilngries.[...]

[...]Lectures, plant tour and workshop on innovation and technology topics at the HUBER Forum Focus topic: Aquaculture – Fishfarming Torsten Hackner (Head of Business Unit Industry at HUBER): ”All-round successful and valuable event” On Thursday, 17 November 2022, the 17th meeting of the German Water Partnership (GWP) working group “Industrial Water Management” took place at the headquarters of HUBER SE in Berching/Erasbach. Besides informative presentations, the highlight of the meeting, which focused on aquaculture – fish farming, was the factory tour at HUBER. A workshop on innovation and technology topics for the working group concluded the event. Informative lectures, factory tour, innovation workshop After the welcome by Georg Huber, CEO of HUBER SE, the event with about 40 participants started with presentations around the focus topic “Aquacultures – Fishfarming”. While one group had lunch in the company restaurant of the HUBER Forum, the other group was given a guided tour of the HUBER premises before changing. In addition, Julia Braune, Managing Director of GWP, reported on news from the office. This was followed by presentations on international applications of vacuum drainage for industry, a review of the “Greendustrial Dialogues Egypt” and an outlook on the upcoming “Greendustrial Dialogues India”, as well as a workshop on innovation and technology topics for the working group. ”All-round successful event” “I am very pleased with the large number of participants, around 40 people,” said Dr Gerd Sagawe, Chairman of German Water Partnership and Head of the Working Group on Industrial Water Management, in his welcome address. ”A big thank you to the HUBER company for the great organisation of this meeting and for providing the beautiful venue. I am also particularly looking forward to the factory tour.” Torsten Hackner, Head of the Business Unit Industry at HUBER, said after the event: ”It was a thoroughly successful 17th meeting of the Industrial Water Management Working Group. You always notice at such events how valuable this form of exchange is. Informative lectures, an interesting company tour, an exciting workshop – I am completely satisfied.” German Water Partnership German Water Partnership e. V. (GWP) is a network in which more than 350 private and public companies from the water sector, trade associations and institutions from business and research have come together under one roof. The innovation platform is supported by the Federal Ministries for the Environment, Research, Development and Economics, which are linked in partnership, as well as by the Federal Foreign Office. GWP bundles the activities, information and innovations of the German water sector in order to strengthen the competitive situation on international markets and to contribute to solving water management problems worldwide with integrated and sustainable approaches. In specially established country forums, solution approaches are adapted to the problems in selected countries or regions.[...]