Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC)

Biorefinery and Bioresource Recovery
SERC has developed technologies for converting biomass and CO and CO₂ compounds to VFAs. We have secured more than £5m from H2020, UKRI, BEIS, OFGEM, KESS, and ERDF. Our VFA Factory process won the 2022 Lettinga Award, making us the first UK research group to achieve this.

Sustainable Biopolymer Production
In collaboration with UK and European partners, SERC is advancing  technologies to produce nature-derived biodegradable plastics (e.g. PHA) from biomass. Projects include SuPERPHA, Biopol4Life, BEACON+, and RES-URBIS. We are also part of the UK research hub IDRIC, focusing on converting waste materials to PHA.

Single Cell Protein Production
We are converting C1 and N2 gases and nutrients from fermentates and digestates to produce single and mixed culture cell proteins. This work is supported by projects such as SuperPHA, SMART CIRCLE, BioPol4Life, BEACON+, and the EPSRC-funded CO2BioPol.

Nutrient and Metal Recovery
We are recovering nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium  from sewage, slurries, fermentates, and digestates, with partners such as Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, GP Biotec, and Bryn Power. We are also recovering Zinc and Tin from steel products in collaboration with Tata and 7-Steel. A project led by Dr Christian Laycock, which looked at sustainable and slow-release organic silicon fertilisers (SIFER), was named STEM Research Project of the Year at the 2024 Wales STEM Awards.

Transforming CO2 through Homogeneous Catalysis
SERC is chemically transforming CO2 into valuable chemicals using ligand cooperative mechanisms. We have secured £756K in funding through SER CYMRU, the UK Catalysis Hub, IDRIC, and the KESS scheme.

We are leading a major research project with a specialist South Wales business to transform recycling through cutting-edge technology. Our team, led by Dr Nildo Costa, is working with Tredegar-based Dragon Recycling Solutions after being awarded £197,600 to support the development of a recycling plant for spent batteries, used in electricity and gas meters, from the utilities industry. The research will support the development of intelligent systems to enhance the company’s processes.

Transforming CO₂ through Homogeneous Catalysis
SERC is chemically transforming CO₂ into valuable chemicals using ligand co-operative mechanisms.

Please contact the team at [email protected] to discuss these projects or explore new opportunities.

Hydrogen Production
SERC pioneers research in hydrogen production, covering biological methods and electrolytic technologies such as alkaline, PEM, AEM, and Solid Oxide electrolysis. We also explore low- and high-temperature electrolysis and co-electrolysis, alongside thermochemical production and biomass/biogas reforming with Shell.

Hydrogen Storage
We develop advanced hydrogen storage solutions, including high-pressure systems up to 1,000 bar and liquid storage for aviation. Our work with Hydro Quebec, and commercialisation of USW patents has attracted around £400K in investment.

Dr Nildo Costa led on our involvement in the Switch to Net Zero project, which aimed to speed up the development of net-zero buildings. The project was led by Swansea University with Cardiff University and USW, in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council, Welsh Government, and Net Zero Industry Wales.

The work focused on the production of clean energy, sustainable materials and the reduction of green-house emissions from the built environment. Dr Costa carries out research on the use of recycled graphitic materials from spent batteries for application in hydrogen storage materials.  

Biological Hydrogen Production
SERC engages in major EU and UK projects on biological hydrogen, including the UKRC SUGERGEN and BEIS H2BECCS programmes. We lead research and contribute to policy through the Royal Society and International Energy Agency.

Hydrogen Purification and Compression
We specialise in hydrogen extraction, purification, and compression, with projects supported by FLEXIS and IDRIC. Our collaborations with Skyre (US) and Hyet (NL) focus on advanced electrochemical methods. We also support hydrogen vehicle and cylinder filling in the UK.

Hydrogen Economics and Business Models
SERC analyses hydrogen economics to aid large-scale deployment and inform UK Government policies, including the Hydrogen Strategy and regional planning for Wales and the Western Gateway Hydrogen Delivery Pathway.

Bio-electrochemical Systems (BES)
BES uses microbial cells to treat waste, recover metals, and convert chemicals, acting as mini-batteries or reactors. SERC has led advancements in this field since 2003, including projects such as Supergen BIOFCs, NERC and UKRI consortia. Professor Richard Dinsdale is Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. As part of this role, he is working with key industrial stakeholders to develop and commercialise microbial bioelectrochemical systems for waste treatment and resource recovery.

Strategic Materials and Metal Recovery
Our BES research shows promise for water treatment, metal recovery, and waste carbon conversion. Key projects involve copper and zinc recovery, supported by UKRI and ERDF KESS.

Chemical Transformations
We specialise in transforming sustainable molecules, such as CO₂ and H₂, using ligand co-operative strategies, resulting in 10 publications over eight years. 

Chemical Valorisation and Separation
We develop separation technologies for volatile fatty acids from fermentation and aromatic compounds from Coke Oven Gas (COG) tars. Our work also includes microbial production of phenolic compounds from waste gases and recovery of lignin for sustainable foams in partnership with Tata and Bryn Power.

Materials Chemistry for Sustainable Applications
SERC investigates carbon-based materials for applications such as oil/water separation and hydrogen storage. This research has yielded five publications and £100K in funding from KEIF and KESS.

Energy Storage
SERC's researchfocuses on hydrogen as a storage solution for renewable energy, including wind-hydrogen systems and electricity network balancing. Collaborations with ITM Power, SSE, and China's State Grid Corporation are ongoing, with active industry engagement via the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) programme.

Fuel Cell Systems
Our fuel cell research focuses on using solid oxide cells (SOCs) to convert industrial waste gases—such as those from steel production—into clean electricity, heat and hydrogen. This work helps reduce emissions and recover valuable energy from gases that would otherwise be wasted. Our research investigates how fuel composition affects SOFC performance and explores solutions to technical challenges like carbon buildup and sulfur poisoning. The goal is to support cleaner, more efficient industrial processes and accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems.

Energy Systems Modelling
SERC models energy systems for decarbonisation and efficiency, collaborating with the State Grid Corporation of China, Birmingham University (IDRIC), and SWIC partners. We focus on electricity system growth, CO2 pipelines, hydrogen transitions, and advanced control modelling for tidal lagoons.

Anaerobic Digestion
For more than 30 years, SERC has led research in anaerobic digestion (AD), focusing on sustainable energy, chemicals, and materials from wastewater and waste streams. Key achievements include a pilot-scale fermentation system for industrial food waste with Unilever and contributions to EU and EPSRC-funded projects. We are now exploring light-assisted AD to enhance efficiency and metabolite production, supported by BEACON+ and SMART CIRCLE projects.

Environmental Analysis, Monitoring, and Control
SERC develops advanced techniques and sensing technologies for environmental monitoring and pollution detection, including GC-IMS, FT-NIR, UPLC MS-MS, and HS-GC.

Aerobic Fermentation Systems
Our OXYHYWATER process uses electrolytic oxygen from renewable hydrogen for efficient sewage treatment, now deployed by Welsh Water in a containerised format.

Bioenergy Production
In addition to optimising biomethane yields, we are researching higher alkane gas (ethane, propane, butane) production, currently in the fundamental research stage.

Bioprocess Modelling and Control
SERC established Headspace GC as the standard for VFA measurement in AD and is advancing to capillary electrophoresis for next-gen analysis, successfully piloted with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
SERC uses LCA methods to assess the environmental impacts of processes such as anaerobic digestion, hydrogen production, and PHA production. Our studies have influenced policy, including a biogas infrastructure LCA for the Welsh Government that led to the creation of food waste treatment hubs in Wales, now a model in England and the EU.

Techno-Economic Assessment
We evaluate the scalability and industrial application of technologies within current and future economic and policy contexts. Our research informed the European Commission's JRC Report 2014 on biomethane sustainability, shaping UK and EU incentive schemes. This work has driven infrastructure development, renewable energy generation, GHG savings, and job creation. Our ongoing research continues to influence policy and development.