NAMOR project is officially launched! Namor- A Novel compact and Advanced hybrid Microalgae-membrane photobioreactor Optimized for Retrofitting decentralized water and wastewater management system- is coordinated by the International Hellenic University through the Department of Food Science and Technology, under the scientific leadership of Professor Petros Samaras.
NAMOR project is part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2021–2027) and is funded by the European Commission under the call HORIZON-CL6-2024-CIRCBIO-02, addressing the topic on “New circular solutions and decentralised approaches for water and wastewater management” . With a total budget of €5,329,100.00 euros, NAMOR project will be implemented over a period of 48 months, from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2029.
NAMOR brings together a multidisciplinary and international consortium of 12 institutions from 7 countries, coordinated by IHU. The consortium includes universities, research institutes, SMEs, networks, and organizations with expertise in environmental technologies, water resource management, circular economy, and innovation.
NAMOR aims to develop and implement hybrid microalgae-bacteria membrane photobioreactor systems (MPBRs), integrating cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies such as digital twins, machine learning, and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to optimize decentralized water and wastewater management. These innovations are expected to advanced systems for producing high quality effluent with minimum energy demand and maximum nutrients recovery capacity, allowing water reclamation and reuse in various applications, while ensuring sustainability and adaptability to various geographic locations and climatic conditions. Among the project’s activities are:
– Developing and deploying technologies for water and wastewater treatment optimization through the design, construction and operation of three demo scale (TRL 6 to 8) units in Slovenia, Finland and Greece.
– Designing digital twins for process monitoring and analysis and for prediction of system behavior under various feeding modes and operation conditions;
– Applying XAI techniques for enhanced decision support
Moreover, the project will assess the scalability of these technologies across different climates and regions, addressing real-world challenges. The international collaboration is reinforced by the participation of IIT Guwahati, India, which contributes with advanced expertise in bioremediation and nutrient recovery, and SUNDOSOFT Co, Korea, Ltd, which will support the development of advanced digital twin platforms. In addition, efforts will be focused on citizens participatory approach to promote the acceptance and enhance the implementation potential of the advanced systems and the corresponding approach by relevant stakeholders.
The project’s kick-off meeting was successfully held on 1–2 July 2025 at the premises of IHU in Thermi, Thessaloniki, with both in-person and online participation from all project partners. The agenda included site visits to the CERTH facilities, and the demo scale microalgae cultivation unit located at the premises of BIOGAS Lagada S.A. plant. Prof. Petros Samaras, the project’s coordinator expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s launch, stating that NAMOR is expected to become a landmark initiative in water and wastewater innovation, supporting the European Union’s objectives for green transition, energy efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable development at a global level.
To learn more about the project, follow us on LinkedIn or contact us at info@namor-project.eu. Our official website — www.namor-project.eu — will be live soon.
