Meet the NAMOR Coordinator: Prof. Petros Samaras on the Project’s Vision, Tools and Impact

In a new interview, Prof. Petros Samaras, Coordinator of the NAMOR project and Professor of Environmental Technologies at the International Hellenic University in Thessaloniki, Greece, introduces NAMOR and explains the ambition behind the EU-funded project.

NAMOR focuses on advancing innovative approaches to decentralised wastewater treatment, bringing together 12 European partners and two associated partners from India and South Korea. The consortium combines expertise from research organisations, SMEs, NGOs and other actors to develop and demonstrate solutions that can improve the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater treatment.

During the interview, Prof. Samaras explains how NAMOR combines technological tools with stakeholder participation. Process simulation supports the optimisation of system performance, while relevant stakeholders are involved in the design, implementation and assessment of the solutions developed by the project.

He also highlights the potential impact of NAMOR for both wastewater operators and agriculture. The project aims to support more efficient treatment while creating opportunities for the reuse of treated water and the recovery of valuable resources such as nutrients and biomass.

A key element of the NAMOR approach is the combined use of microalgae and bacteria, which the project is investigating as a way to enhance nutrient and carbon recovery while reducing energy requirements. These solutions are being tested through three demonstration cases representing different European conditions.

The interview offers an accessible overview of NAMOR’s objectives, tools, expected impacts and demonstration activities directly from the project coordinator.

Watch the full interview with Prof. Petros Samaras.