The ENVIROENG unit applies sustainable engineering to environmental protection and the efficient use of resources. With a multidisciplinary team of chemical engineers, biologists, biotechnologists, and environmental science experts, it develops innovative solutions in biological and physicochemical processes for the valorization of waste, by-products, and pollutants into high-value products and energy. The unit excels in wastewater treatment, solid waste management, gaseous emission decontamination, and indoor air purification. Additionally, it employs advanced genomics and microbiology techniques to optimize bioprocesses and enhance the resilience of the productive sector without compromising its competitiveness.
Innovation in biotechnologies for the treatment of odors and gaseous contaminants.
Valorization of polluting gases in marketable products.
Monitoring of greenhouse gases.
Metagenomic exploration of the microbial processes that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and their valorization.
Discovery of new drugs, food ingredients and medicines, characteristic of halophilic and thermophilic microorganisms with potential for gas recovery.
Mocholi-Arce, M., Sala-Garrido, R., Molinos-Senante, M., Maziotis, A. (2025) A comprehensive evaluation of eco-productivity of the municipal solid waste service in Chile. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-025-1931-9
Marcos-Rodrigo, E., Lebrero, R., Muñoz, R., Sousa, D.Z., Cantera, S. (2025) Syngas biological transformation into hydroxyectoine. Bioresource Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131842
Herrero-Lobo, R., Torres Franco, A.F., Lebrero, R., Rodero, M.D.R., Muñoz, R. (2025) Evaluation of the influence of the gas residence time and biomass concentration on methane bioconversion to ectoines in a novel Taylor flow bioreactor. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123592
Severi, C.A., Pascual, C., Perez, V., Muñoz, R., Lebrero, R. (2025) Pilot-Scale Biogas Desulfurization through Anoxic Biofiltration. Journal of Hazardous Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136830
de la Fuente Tagarro, C., Martín-González, D., De Lucas, A., Bordel, S., Santos-Beneit, F. (2024) Current Knowledge on CRISPR Strategies Against Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13121141