Bringing self-tested advanced water treatment technologies and solutions to the market: PWN Technologies is launched at the Singapore International Water Week.
PWN, the water supply utility for North Holland, has today launched a new international company to make their technology, operational expertise and advanced water treatment solution designs available to fellow water companies all over the world for the provision of pure, clean water.
The company’s achievements in advancing water treatment practices over the last decades are somewhat unknown, having employed this expertise primarily in its own facilities. However a great many water professionals in the world will have already come across “PWN technologies inside” without realising it. Examples include the world’s first wide-scale use of membranes for drinking water treatment, the invention of UV Hydrogen Peroxide treatment, and pioneering work in the economic application of ceramic membranes for water treatment.
PWN’s Executive Director, Martien den Blanken sees the company launch as a progressive step in making advanced water treatment technologies more widely available: “As a public services organization, it is our primary objective to utilize the best technology available for the good of the community. In many cases, this has meant developing the technology ourselves, as the water sources we are dealing with are increasingly degraded as fresh water sources are used up. We want to now step-up the sharing of this expertise with others, and help more and more people get connected to a safe water supply.”
During the official launch ceremony on June 21st, Singapore’s Public Utility Board Assistant Executive Director, Mr. Chan Yoon Kum, drew parallels between this venture of a Dutch utility and PUB’s own development. “We are delighted and honoured that PWN chose to launch PWN Technologies in Singapore. This is an excellent example of the kind of innovative business approaches that are possible when you are facing significant water challenges. It also marks a prestigious start to this week’s Singapore International Water Week.”
PWN has provided technology and services beyond its native Holland in many other European countries, as well as in Asia, Africa and the Americas, also providing emergency water services following catastrophes like the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. But setting up this company provides a dedicated outlet for more widespread application of the technology world-wide.
The company has nurtured strong partnerships with renowned companies in the water sector like Trojan for UV applications, Metawater on the membrane front, and Black & Veatch. Black & Veatch has partnered with PWN on a number of leading-edge projects worldwide, including Singapore, Brisbane and Minneapolis. It is giving strategic advice on the set-up of the new company, and also works with PWN technologists in the development of ceramic membranes.
From highly advanced individual components to fully packaged turnkey units, PWN Technologies offers a full range of treatment options for drinking water and industrial water supply. PWN Technologies have been tried and tested at full scale in the company’s own treatment facilities. Through them, millions of people and industries in North Holland and abroad know they can rely on the quality of their water supply, even where the water sources are highly contaminated.
“We are confident that there will be a lot of demand in the marketplace for PWN expertise”, said Pieter Spohr, the new company’s CEO. “Our technologies address some of the most pressing needs in both developed and developing countries when it comes to providing safe, pure water. They are scalable, easy to operate, have a small footprint and consume very low amounts of energy and other finite resources.”
Accompanying photo
“Martien den Blanken (PWN Executive Director), Chan Yoon Kum (PUB Assistant Executive Director) and Pieter Spohr, CEO of PWN Technologies officially toast the launch of PWN Technologies from the heights of Singapore”