One of the IWA Specialist Groups, the Sludge Management Specialist Group (SMSG), has organized 18 international conferences on sludge treatment around the world (the 18th to be held in Beijing in May 2024).

This conference is jointly organized by IWA-SMSG with the support of IWA and other partners. Sludge is a waste product generated by human activities, and its treatment, disposal, and effective utilization have become increasingly important in recent years in terms of sewage treatment, resource recycling, and low-carbon society. Sustainable and innovative sludge management is required, not only from academic and technical aspects, but also from social and economic aspects.
This is the first time that this conference will be held in Japan.

The conference will provide a forum for information exchange and networking among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and industry representatives from around the world. The conference will cover topics related to sludge management, including sludge generation, characterization, stabilization, digestion, thickening, dewatering, thermal treatment, agricultural applications, effective utilization, and final disposal.

In addition to traditional topics, there are an increasing number of issues to be discussed, such as trace hazardous substances, life cycle assessment, climate change, energy issues, and sustainability assessment.