Bas Emaus is co-founder of JiTiBa, a start-up developing algae-based wastewater treatment systems. Showcasing the potential of biological systems in sustainable urban infrastructure, they’re developing new technology using gel balls with microalgae to purify sewage sludge while recovering valuable resources. It could significantly reduce water pollution in the Netherlands. 

As a start-up, JiTiBa Algae Technologies embodies design thinking to approach a non-visible problem that is crucial to the Netherlands. Doing the hard work of getting out of academia and into the real world, they aim to transform waste streams into regenerative solutions.

Emaus illustrates how design in the Netherlands increasingly operates across disciplines — connecting engineering, biology and social innovation to address systemic environmental challenges. With a background in Biomedical Laboratory Research / Biotechnology from HAN University of Applied Sciences, Emaus combines circular biotechnology with environmental design impact. 

Image by JiTiBa Algae Technology.