Research, development and innovation
The world is facing unprecedented challenges
Climate change, population growth, environmental pressures, ageing infrastructure, increasing customer expectations and evolving regulation are creating new demands on companies, regulators, technology providers and supply chains. Addressing these challenges requires more than incremental improvement. It requires innovation that is practical, evidence-based and focused on delivering measurable outcomes.
At WRc, research, development and innovation are at the heart of how we help organisations solve complex problems and create lasting value
We work at the intersection of science, technology and industry, transforming new ideas into proven solutions that can be adopted with confidence. From emerging technologies and digital solutions to new approaches for resource management, environmental protection and asset performance, our work helps bridge the gap between concept and implementation.
Our independence, technical expertise and deep understanding of the water and waste sectors enable us to bring together stakeholders, generate robust evidence and accelerate innovation from early-stage research through to real-world deployment. By reducing uncertainty and building confidence in new approaches, we help organisations make informed decisions, manage risk and deliver better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment.
The world of water treatment, waste processing and analysis is constantly evolving
However, there are many challenges where commercially available solutions do not fit an operator’s needs. This may be the need to separate certain materials, remove specific contaminates or to carry out more accurate analysis to support material characterisation.
Many of the issues our sectors face is not specific to a single operator or organisation. There is a huge benefit in industry sector collaboration, often in partnership or with support from the regulator. Through these partnerships it’s possible to gather and evaluate large datasets to support an overall industry solution. This early-stage development requires a broad skills set, facilities to carry out tests and trials and a wide network of experts and academics.
Adapting to meet regulatory changes
Another challenge is understanding the status of the industry, and how it may be able to adapt to changes regulatory requirements. This may be the need to remove and treat emerging contaminants from wastewater or the implementation of best available techniques (BAT) in waste processing.
Developing new processing or analytical methods can produce massive benefits in reducing waste disposal costs and increasing product yield and purity. Solutions developed through research, development and innovation can also help meet regulatory compliance across our industry sectors.
Research projects are also vital for the government, regulator, NGOs and trade associations to understand the status of environmental and regulatory issues. In areas of emerging concern, such as POPs, hard evidence is required to understand where there are issues and how this can then be used.
We have a great track record in supporting industry with out of the box challenges
Projects could be the development of novel separation and treatment techniques, or new analytical methods that are more suited to waste materials. WRc is experienced in carrying out rigorous large-scale sampling and analysis campaigns to provide hard data and evidence for industry and regulators to inform regulatory reform and enforcement.
Research
- Analysis of septicity, corrosion and sewer collapse
- Analysis of construction and demolition waste to identify hazardous substances and POPs
- Analysis of the impact of emerging contaminants on our natural environment and human health
Development
- Development of methods for more accurate characterisation of hydrocarbons in polymer-based waste
- Development of novel sensing methods for wastewater and emerging contaminants such as nanoplastics
- Development of software tools to aid asset managers’ decision-making, balancing regulatory pressures, cost and the impacts of climate change
Innovation
- The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-based learning to develop open-source, scalable digital models to inform effective action to tackle waterbody pollution
- The development and implementation of innovation programmes, supporting companies in strategic innovation and business change
- Application of x-ray analysis of thermal residues to speciate metal compounds and refine hazardous property assessments
- New methods to more efficiently and accurately detect lead service pipes
Do you have a challenge that requires innovative thinking?
Collaborate with WRc experts on innovative research projects.
Speak to the team