Bridging waste to value – a conversation with Istanbul Technical University’s EN3LAB

Anaerobic digestion is an important process for turning waste into valuable resources, and the 18th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion (IWA AD18), held in Istanbul earlier this year, showcased its significance. We spoke with M. Evren Ersahin and Hale Özgün from Istanbul Technical University’s ITU EN3LAB to reflect on the event and their long-standing use of BPC Instruments’ technology in their research.

First of all, congratulations on the success of IWA AD18! How do you feel about the event, now that a few months have passed?

“Thank you. It’s been great to see the positive response to the conference,” says Dr. Ersahin. “IWA AD18 in June was a great opportunity to bring together experts from around the world to discuss how anaerobic digestion can play a key role in sustainability by turning waste into valuable resources.”

The theme, “Bridging Waste to Value through Anaerobic Digestion,” was inspired by Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge, symbolising the city’s connection between Europe and Asia and the role of anaerobic digestion in linking waste management to environmental goals. “It was a chance to share knowledge on biogas production, energy efficiency, and microbial processes, which are all essential in advancing this field,” adds Dr. Özgün.

“Turning waste into resources […] is a crucial part of addressing global challenges like waste management, renewable energy production, and climate change mitigation.”

Looking ahead

The takeaways from IWA AD18 and their ongoing collaboration with BPC Instruments reinforce EN3LAB’s focus on advancing sustainable solutions through anaerobic digestion. “Turning waste into resources is becoming not just important but essential,” says Dr. Özgün. “It’s a crucial part of addressing global challenges like waste management, renewable energy production, and climate change mitigation.”

The team believes that continued innovation and collaboration will be key. “We’re focused on improving the efficiency and scalability of anaerobic digestion, so it can be more accessible for both public and private sectors,” explains Dr. Ersahin. “With the support of advanced tools like the AMPTS® III, we can fine-tune processes and make resource recovery more effective and reliable.”

EN3LAB is also exploring ways to integrate its research into broader sustainability strategies.

“Anaerobic digestion is just one piece of the puzzle. By combining it with other technologies, we can create holistic systems for managing waste and recovering energy,” adds Dr. Özgün. “Our partnership with BPC Instruments ensures we have the reliable tools and expertise we need to keep innovating in this space.”

A decade of partnership with BPC Instruments

For over ten years, EN3LAB has used BPC Instruments’ tools to support their research on anaerobic digestion. “The AMPTS® III is a key instrument in our work,” says Dr. Özgün. “It helps us measure the biogas potential of various materials, such as wastewater and sludge, and assess the efficiency of different processes. This information is vital for improving digestion systems and developing effective waste-to-energy solutions.”

The team values both the reliability of the instruments and the technical support provided by BPC. “The equipment consistently delivers accurate results, and whenever we’ve needed assistance, their team has been very responsive,” says Dr. Ersahin. “This combination of technology and support has been critical to the success of our projects.”

As they continue their work, EN3LAB aims to not only improve existing technologies but also inspire new approaches. Together with BPC Instruments, they are helping to shape a future where waste is seen as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

About EN3LAB and Istanbul Technical University (ITU)

Mustafa Evren Ersahin and Hale Özgün lead the EN3LAB Research Group at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), one of Turkey’s leading institutions in engineering and natural sciences with a history spanning nearly 250 years. EN3LAB focuses on resource recovery—such as water, energy, and nutrients—from wastewater and sludge through anaerobic digestion and membrane technologies. The group also explores rainwater harvesting, water purification, and reuse initiatives, using a multidisciplinary approach that combines experimental studies with environmental economics and systems modeling. In June 2024, EN3LAB hosted the 18th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion in Istanbul, attended by BPC Instruments.