Institute of Housing and Communal Services offers consumers a Technology for producing organic fertilizer by processing sewage sludge and the organic portion of municipal solid waste using aerobic composting under a commercial agreement with technical assistance and is looking for partners to conclude a technical cooperation agreement.

Recycling sewage sludge (SWS) into organic fertilizer is a necessary step for environmental protection and the return of nutrients to the soil. Before use, SWS must be disinfected and stabilized.

The main technological methods for this type of recycling are listed below.
1. Composting (Biothermal Treatment). This is the most common and cost-effective method. The sludge is mixed with organic fillers (straw, sawdust, peat, husks) to optimize moisture and porosity. Process Description: Decomposition of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms with the release of heat. Temperature: Self-heating of the mixture to +55…+65°C. Result: Complete destruction of pathogenic microflora, helminth eggs, and weed seeds. The result is a crumbly compost with a high humus content.
2. Anaerobic Digestion (Methane Fermentation). This technology involves recycling SWS in bioreactors (methane tanks) without access to oxygen. Process Description: Complex organic compounds are broken down by anaerobic bacteria. Byproduct: Biogas (methane and carbon dioxide) is released, which is used to generate electricity and heat. Result: A stabilized effluent (digestate) is formed. After dehydration and drying, it is used as a high-quality organic fertilizer.
3. Thermal drying and granulation. A physicomechanical method for the deep processing of pre-dewatered sludge. Process Description: The sludge is processed in drying drums at temperatures ranging from +100 to +250°C. Result: Moisture content is reduced to 10–15%. The resulting product is dry, sterile granules. Advantages: The fertilizer is compact, odorless, has a long shelf life, and is easily applied to the soil using agricultural machinery.
4. Vermicomposting. A biological method of processing using earthworms or specialized worms (such as the Californian worm). The process: The worms, together with their intestinal microflora, digest the prepared (pre-fermented) sludge. The result: vermicompost (biohumus). This fertilizer is richer in plant-available elements, enzymes, and growth regulators than regular compost.
5. Accelerated fermentation in bioreactors. A modern industrial method performed in closed horizontal or vertical units. The process: Ideal conditions (oxygen supply, mixing, temperature) for thermophilic bacteria are artificially maintained inside the reactor. Advantages: The composting process is reduced from several months to 7-14 days. Unpleasant odors are completely eliminated.
⚠️ Important limitation: The main problem with using wastewater sludge as a fertilizer is its potential presence of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, etc.) and persistent organic pollutants. If the sludge contains excess amounts of these, it is prohibited for agricultural applications. In such cases, it is used for quarry reclamation, road improvement, or forestry.

In the Republic of Belarus, over 2 million tons of wastewater sludge (WWS) are generated annually, and their disposal is a pressing environmental and economic challenge. This research focuses on developing an improved technology for aerobic composting of WWS with the organic component of municipal solid waste.

This information is published in the "Catalog of Projects for the 100 INNOVATIONS OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS Exhibition and Competition. SEASON 2025," page 56.

Key benefits: environmental safety and economic benefits from the use of the resulting organic fertilizers and substrates in the national economy based on the principles of a circular economy.

The Institute of Housing and Communal Services is a leading scientific organization in the public utilities sector.

The Institute's main areas of activity:
- Systemic economic and resource analysis of the industry, cost monitoring, and environmental assessment by area of ​​activity;
- Substantiation, development, and implementation of energy-efficient, environmentally sound technologies and technical means for housing and public utilities;
- Conducting fundamental and applied scientific research, scientific and technical (technological) developments in scientific areas of housing and public utilities;
- Developing new methods, techniques, scientifically sound industry standards and recommendations;
- Training highly qualified scientific personnel.

The Institute's objectives:
- Economics of housing and public utilities (mechanisms for increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of industry enterprises in the digital economy to ensure the quality and affordability of public services, mechanisms for attracting extra-budgetary investment resources to promising housing sector projects);
- "Smart" technologies for operating housing and public utilities (a methodology for creating a unified information space for the public utilities sector, integrating modern management systems, the implementation, and use of information and communication technologies aimed at minimizing the loss of material and financial resources and ensuring comfortable living conditions);
- New methods and systems for managing public utilities (in energy and heat supply, taking into account the expanded use of electricity and renewable energy sources; water supply and sanitation, taking into account the structural, economic, and innovative modernization of the economy; and waste management, taking into account its advanced recycling and conversion into secondary material resources).

The Institute collaborates with the Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities to develop research topics in areas where there are significant potential for reducing costs and increasing the competitiveness of services. The Institute provides ongoing scientific and innovative support to the housing and utilities sector, developing scientifically sound recommendations for the industry, including innovative modernization of processes and technological equipment to reduce unit costs, and pilot projects to validate the most effective process flow diagrams and tools that will enable the development of scientifically sound recommendations for their implementation.

Official website of the Institute of Housing and Communal Services of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Consumers interested in purchasing the technology for producing organic fertilizer by recycling sewage sludge and the organic portion of municipal solid waste through aerobic composting under a commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Partners interested in developing and implementing the technology for producing organic fertilizer by recycling sewage sludge and the organic portion of municipal solid waste through aerobic composting under a technical cooperation agreement.