Pre-Comercial Procurement of innovative and sustainable solutions to Treat HEalthcaRE System wAstewater

Project Information

THERESA PCP

Grant agreement ID: 101226565

DOI

10.3030/101226565

EC signature date 28 July 2025

Start date 1 September 2025

End date 31 August 2029

Funded under

• Health

Total cost

€ 5 287 206,25

EU contribution

€ 5 287 206,25

Coordinated by

FUNDACION PUBLICA MIGUEL SERVET
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - THERESA PCP (Pre-Comercial Procurement of innovative and sustainable solutions to Treat HEalthcaRE System wAstewater)

Reporting period: 2025-09-01 to 2026-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Hospital wastewater is a significant source of pharmaceutical residues, antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistance genes, contrast agents, cytostatic drugs and other hazardous contaminants that are not fully removed by conventional urban wastewater treatment systems. As a result, these pollutants can reach natural water bodies, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity and public health. In particular, the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through wastewater is recognised as a major global challenge within the One Health framework, linking human health, environmental protection and sustainable development.

THERESA PCP (Pre-Commercial Procurement of innovative and sustainable solutions to Treat HEalthcaRE System wAstewater) aims to accelerate the development of innovative, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective hospital wastewater treatment solutions capable of removing a broad range of contaminants, including antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance determinants, cytostatic compounds and contrast agents.

To achieve this objective, seven healthcare procurers from across Europe have joined forces in a Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) process to stimulate research and development activities that go beyond the current state of the art. Through a competitive and phased procurement approach, THERESA PCP supports European innovators in developing, testing and validating novel solutions under real operational conditions in hospitals.

The project contributes to European priorities related to pollution prevention, environmental sustainability, climate neutrality and circular healthcare systems. By fostering innovation, supporting market uptake of sustainable technologies and encouraging cooperation between healthcare providers, industry and research organisations, THERESA PCP seeks to improve environmental protection, reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance and strengthen the sustainability and resilience of European healthcare systems.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first reporting period, THERESA PCP successfully completed the preparatory phase required for the implementation of the Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) process. The work focused on establishing the technical, scientific, operational and procurement foundations necessary to stimulate the development of innovative and sustainable hospital wastewater treatment solutions.

The consortium consolidated the common needs of seven public healthcare procurers from different European countries and translated them into a harmonised set of technical and functional requirements. Particular attention was given to contaminants of high concern, including antibiotics, antimicrobial resistant bacteria and genes, cytostatic compounds and contrast agents. A comprehensive State-of-the-Art analysis was also performed, covering existing technologies, patents, standards and market actors relevant to hospital wastewater treatment.

A major achievement of the reporting period was the successful completion of the Open Market Consultation. Through a series of surveys, events and interactions with suppliers, the consortium gathered valuable insights into the current innovation landscape for hospital wastewater treatment. The results confirmed the need for further research and development to deliver integrated, sustainable and cost-effective solutions capable of addressing the complexity of hospital wastewater.

The project also established the evaluation framework for future solutions, including key performance indicators and verification methodologies covering technical, environmental, social and economic aspects.

In parallel, the consortium completed the business case, procurement strategy and tender documentation, while the participating buyers signed the Joint Procurement Agreement enabling the launch of the joint procurement process.

The main achievement of the reporting period was the successful publication of the PCP tender in May 2026, officially launching the competitive procurement process and marking the transition from project preparation to implementation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the first reporting period, THERESA PCP advanced beyond the current state of the art by creating the framework required to accelerate the development of innovative hospital wastewater treatment solutions capable of simultaneously tackling key contaminants of concern, including antibiotics, cytostatic compounds, contrast agents, antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG).

Existing wastewater treatment approaches often focus on specific contaminants or individual treatment technologies. THERESA PCP has established a common European innovation challenge, bringing together healthcare providers, technical experts and market actors to define harmonised requirements, evaluation criteria and validation methodologies for integrated and sustainable solutions.

The project has also developed a multidisciplinary assessment framework covering technical performance, environmental sustainability, social impact and economic feasibility. This framework incorporates advanced verification methodologies and provides a structured pathway for evaluating innovative solutions under real hospital conditions.

In addition, the project has created favourable conditions for future market uptake by launching a Europe-wide Pre-Commercial Procurement process that encourages competition and supports innovation among technology providers. The publication of the PCP tender marks an important step towards the development and validation of new solutions that are expected to contribute to reducing environmental pollution, limiting the spread of antimicrobial resistance and improving the sustainability of healthcare systems across Europe.

The next phase of the project will focus on supporting the development, testing and validation of innovative solutions through the PCP process, paving the way for future market adoption and wider deployment in European healthcare facilities.