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URGENT: Industrial partner sought to manufacture a solar photocatalytic reactor for pesticide degradation in ready-to-submit PRIMA 2025 proposal (Call deadline: 15/07/2025)

Summary

Closed for EoI
Profile Type
  • Research & Development Request
POD Reference
RDRGR20250703006
Term of Validity
3 July 2025 - 3 July 2026
Company's Country
  • Greece
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A consortium is ready to submit a proposal under the PRIMA 2025 call, Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus, TOPIC: 1.2.1-2025. The aim is to develop a system that will treat pesticide-contaminated agricultural drainage water to enable safe reuse for irrigation in Mediterranean farming systems. The consortium seeks an industrial partner from Europe to manufacture a Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC) reactor for the degradation of pesticides in agricultural drainage water.
Full Description
An existing consortium of partners from Greece, Tunisia, and Egypt is preparing to submit a proposal under the PRIMA 2025 call (Thematic Area 2 – Farming Systems in the Nexus). The project aims to address the growing issue of pesticide contamination in agricultural drainage water by developing a sustainable treatment process using solar photocatalysis.

The system will be based on a Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC) reactor that harnesses solar energy to activate photocatalysts capable of breaking down pesticide residues. Treated water will be reused in irrigation, with field trials evaluating its safety and impact on crops and soil.

To implement this, the consortium is looking for a European industrial partner—ideally a company experienced in solar reactor manufacturing—who can deliver a field-ready CPC-based photocatalytic reactor. The partner will work closely with the research team to co-develop the system.

The selected company will be responsible for manufacturing the full reactor setup, integrating essential features such as modular construction, energy autonomy via photovoltaic power, and digital monitoring of key water quality parameters.
Advantages and Innovations
This project proposes a novel and practical solution to agricultural water reuse, combining solar photocatalytic technology with modular and energy-autonomous design. By using low-cost, waste-derived materials and integrating real-time monitoring, the system is scalable and replicable across Mediterranean farming contexts.

The approach supports circular economy goals, environmental protection, and food system resilience. It also contributes to EU priorities for climate adaptation, sustainable water use, and safe agricultural production.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The consortium is URGENTLY seeking a European industrial partner with proven capabilities in the production of solar-based water treatment systems. The ideal partner will have expertise in constructing Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC)-type solar reactors using borosilicate glass and integrating photocatalytic materials into reactor systems, either in immobilized or slurry-based form.

The partner must be able to fabricate the CPC reactor system, integrating high-UV-transparency borosilicate glass tubes essential for photocatalytic activation. They should also be capable of implementing photocatalyst immobilization techniques or managing slurry-based catalyst configurations, depending on system design. Additionally, the reactor must incorporate IoT sensors for real-time monitoring and photovoltaic energy components to ensure autonomous operation. The final system should be modular, robust, and ready for field deployment under real-world conditions.

A functional prototype has already been developed by the consortium, and the industrial partner will be responsible for scaling up production of the reactor for semi-pilot deployment during the project. The selected partner will work closely with the research team to adapt the system for real-world conditions and ensure readiness for field implementation.
Stage of Development
  • Under development
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 4: Quality Education
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
IPR status
  • No IPR applied

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The selected industrial partner will be responsible for scaling up and manufacturing a solar photocatalytic reactor based on an existing prototype developed by the consortium. Drawing on their expertise in CPC-based solar water treatment systems, the partner will lead the manufacturing of a field-deployable unit that integrates key components such as UV-transparent borosilicate glass tubes, immobilized or slurry-based photocatalyst systems, photovoltaic-powered recirculation, and IoT-enabled monitoring sensors.

The partner should be from a country eligible to participate in the PRIMA call, which can be found in the work program of PRIMA. Some of these countries are the following EU Member States (MS): Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, including the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) 54 linked to these Member States.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
  • Big company
  • SME 50 - 249
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Call details

Framework program
  • Access to finance
Call title and identifier
PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area
Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus
TOPIC: 1.2.1-2025 Enhancement of Sustainable Farming Systems within Mediterranean Wetlands for Conservation.
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI
Deadline of the call
Project duration in weeks
156
Web link to the call
https://prima-med.org/submit-your-project/farming-systems-in-the-nexus/

Dissemination

Market keywords
  • 08004003 - Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems
  • 08001022 - Agricultural chemicals
Targeted countries
  • All countries