Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology. GEMMA

The Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology (GEMMA) is located at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA)) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech (UPC).

Founded in 2005, GEMMA has evolved into a well-established interdisciplinary research group dedicated to research, innovation, knowledge transfer and teaching in environmental engineering. Our expertise spans environmental biotechnology, water supply, wastewater and solid waste treatment, and bioenergy.

Our research integrates engineering, environmental sciences and biotechnology to address major environmental and sustainability challenges in three main areas:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation through nature-based solutions, including constructed wetlands, microalgae-based systems and other nature-based technologies.
• Circular bioeconomy through the valorization of wastewater and organic waste, nutrient recovery, and the production of high-value bioproducts such as biostimulants, biofertilizers, bioplastics and pigments.
• Energy transition through the development of thermochemical and biochemical conversion pathways for organic waste streams.

Our research covers different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), from laboratory-scale studies to pilot- and full-scale validation and implementation, in close collaboration with industry, public authorities and other stakeholders.