08/06/2026
From Resource Recovery to Circular Infrastructure : IAAS Insights from Ozwaterโ26
The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) participated in Ozwaterโ26, Australiaโs premier water industry conference and exhibition, bringing together more than 8,000 delegates and over 245 exhibitors from across the global water,
environmental, infrastructure, energy, and circular economy sectors.
Representing IAAS were airman Dr. Lee Chee Wee and Vulcan Bioenergy founder Michael FU. During the three-day event, the delegation engaged with leading water utilities, government agencies, engineering firms, research institutions, and circular
economy specialists to explore emerging opportunities for sustainable resource recovery and international collaboration.
The Future Challenge Is Not Technology โ It Is System
Design
One of the most important observations from Ozwaterโ26 was that the global discussion has moved beyond wastewater treatment technologies alone. Across sessions focusing on biosolids management, circular economy, carbon reduction,
resource recovery, and water reuse, industry leaders repeatedly highlighted a common challenge:
The future of circular economy development is not constrained by technology, but by the ability to create viable systems that connect policy, markets, infrastructure, and end-users.
Particularly insightful was the session: โWeighing Up the Options: Addressing Uncertainty for the Sustainable Management
of Biosolidsโ The discussion emphasized that there is no single โbest solutionโ for biosolids management. Instead, utilities must navigate increasing uncertainty related to PFAS regulations, carbon policies, market demand, community acceptance, environmental risks, and long-term investment decisions.
According to Dr. LEE Chee Wee:
โThe most valuable lesson from Ozwater was not a new technology. It was the realization that even highly developed markets such as Australia are still exploring the most effective
pathways toward circularity. The challenge is no longer whether technology works, but whether an entire system can create lasting value.โ
โAnother key takeaway from the conference is the highly advanced maturity of biosolid management within the municipal wastewater sector. This robust commercial and technical framework can be directly translated to aquaculture operations, unlocking a viable blueprint to mine and monetise sludge, particularly from high-salinity marine sources, transforming a traditional waste liability into a wealth streamโ.
From Waste Management to Value Creation
As discussions progressed throughout the conference, the focus shifted from waste treatment toward resource valorisation and circular value chains.
Key sessions included:
Carbon-Rich Futures: Advancing Biosolids Valorisation via Co-Pyrolysis
Biosolids Value Chain โ Connecting Treatment Innovation to End Users
The Nexus of Food, Water and Energy
Balancing the Competing Drivers and Trade-Offs in Circular Economy
Resource Recovery Prioritisation for the Water Industry
Speakers from Queensland Water Directorate, South East Water, Urban Utilities, WSAA, GHD, John Holland, RMIT University, and leading Australian utilities emphasized that future success will depend on integrating:
Policy and regulation
Utility operations
Agricultural applications
Energy systems
Carbon management
Market development
End-user adoption
into a complete and sustainable circular value chain.
Vulcan Bioenergy: IAASโs First International Demonstration Ecosystem
For IAAS, Ozwaterโ26 reinforced a clear strategic direction.
Vulcan Bioenergy is not simply a bioenergy project or a biosolids treatment initiative. It is being developed as the first demonstration ecosystem within IAASโs broader vision of building circular infrastructure platforms across Asia.
Dr. Michael FU stated:
โOur biggest takeaway from Ozwater is that the global circular economy is still in a transition phase. Countries around the world are searching for practical and sustainable pathways that fit their own circumstances. Our priority is not to scale quickly, but to first
build a successful demonstration ecosystem through Vulcan.โ
He added:
โOnce we can demonstrate a working model that integrates agriculture, water, energy, resource recovery, and market participation, we will be in a stronger position to support
other countries in developing their own circular economy ecosystems.โ
Building an Asian Deployment Ecosystem
Moving forward, IAAS will continue strengthening partnerships with international stakeholders and focus on: Agricultural sustainability Biosolids and organic resource recovery
Bioenergy development
Carbon reduction and climate resilience
Circular value chain creation
International demonstration projects
Rather than positioning itself as a technology provider, IAAS aims to serve as a platform builder โ connecting governments, utilities, industries, farmers, investors, and end-users
to accelerate the deployment of circular infrastructure solutions.
Ozwaterโ26 provided valuable insight into where the global industry is heading. More importantly, it reinforced IAASโs belief that the future of circular economy development lies not in individual technologies, but in the creation of resilient ecosystems capable of delivering long-term environmental, social, and economic value.
As IAAS continues its journey, Vulcan Bioenergy will serve as the first step toward that vision โ demonstrating how agriculture, water, energy, and circular economy principles can be integrated into a sustainable and scalable ecosystem for Asia and beyond.
