The move aligns with Egypt’s vision to modernize its wastewater infrastructure and sustainable resource management.
The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and international specialists to discuss practical solutions that support Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Opening the forum, Norwegian Ambassador to Egypt Hilde Klemetsdal emphasized the importance of sustainable sludge management in achieving Egypt’s environmental and public health goals.
“Egypt’s Vision 2030 represents a bold national commitment to environmental sustainability, efficient resource management, and the advancement of a green economy. The solutions discussed today can directly support these goals, including reducing emissions, promoting a circular economy, and modernizing water infrastructure,” said Klemetsdal.
She also highlighted Norway’s experience in transforming sludge into clean energy and organic fertilizers and called for greater public-private partnerships and innovative financing to accelerate Egypt’s progress.
"Egypt is uniquely positioned to lead in sludge management innovation due to its scale and needs," emphasized Per Lillebø, founder and CEO of Cambi.
“If there is a place in the world that can really make a difference, it is here. Our technology can help transform sludge from wastewater treatment plants into a valuable resource, producing biogas for energy and returning nutrients to agriculture,” Lillebø added.
He cited examples from Europe, the US, and Asia, where Cambi’s thermal hydrolysis systems have reduced environmental impacts, saved space, and lowered operational costs.
Lillebø expressed hope that similar solutions could be adapted for Egypt’s growing wastewater sector.
Concurring with him, Rick Lancaster, director of Global Bioresources at AtkinsRéalis, highlighted the global challenges of water scarcity, rising energy demand, and climate adaptation.
“We must recognize that we are working in a circular system, so decisions we make in one area impact others. In the Middle East, recovery and reuse of wastewater for agriculture is among the best practices, and we see great potential for maximizing circularity through better biosolids management,” Lancaster said.
Meanwhile, Loïc Lebègue, an ANDRITZ industry director for environment, emphasized that no single technology fits all situations.
“Selecting the right solution requires understanding local conditions—whether it’s regulatory frameworks, energy prices, or workforce skills. Our role is to help match technology to those specific needs to reduce costs and environmental impacts while delivering value from sludge as a resource,” Lebègue explained.
He also presented international case studies, including large-scale drying and digestion projects in the US, Canada, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
The forum underlined Egypt’s annual generation of over 1.3 million tons of dried sludge and the urgent need for sustainable management methods.
Participants agreed that through cooperation between the government, the private sector, and international partners, Egypt can transform sludge from an environmental challenge into a pillar of its green economy.
Cambi is a global provider of thermal hydrolysis solutions for wastewater treatment plants.
AtkinsRéalis is an international consultancy group specializing in infrastructure development, water management, and environmental sustainability.
ANDRITZ is an international technology group that provides innovative and reliable solutions for waste, sludge, and water treatment.
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