How Veolia’s AI Prowess is Redefining Water Technology Leadership
In the bustling corridors of Veolia, the buzzword isn’t just sustainable water management anymore. It’s AI. Meet Andrew Collier and his digital team, who are not just transforming water treatment but setting audacious goals to marry artificial intelligence and LLMs with Veolia’s vast network of industrial solutions. Their ambition? To turn tens of thousands of … Read more
How Kando’s STREAMi Simplifies Complex Water Quality Data for Executives
In an era where automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing industries, wastewater management is (no longer) lagging. Kando, a wastewater intelligence company, is pioneering this shift with its AI assistant, STREAMi. This transformative tool aims to alleviate some of the sector’s most pressing issues, from workforce shortages to complex data analysis. But STREAMi isn’t … Read more
How Kemira Defied Market Odds to Lead in Bio-Based Tech
Who could have imagined that water treatment could be both a strategic and a sustainability-driven endeavor? (yeah, I know, you, probably, or you wouldn’t be here, but please play along!) Yet, that’s precisely the journey Kemira is on, led by Riikka Timonen, the company’s VP of New Markets and Biomaterials. In an era where environmental … Read more
How Grundfos is Reinventing Itself as a Global Leader in Water Tech Solutions
In a world where water scarcity and climate change pose imminent threats, one company is plotting a course toward an audacious goal: providing water access to 300 million people by 2030. Grundfos, traditionally known as a pump manufacturer, is at the vanguard of this transformation, reshaping itself into a comprehensive water and climate solutions provider. … Read more
How SUDOC Manufactures a 100x Smaller and 1000x More Powerful Catalyst
When you think of groundbreaking innovation, you probably don’t immediately think of laundry or wastewater treatment. Yet, SUDOC is turning heads by doing just that—with a new, tiny catalyst that is 100 times smaller and 1,000 times more powerful than its predecessors. Imagine a product that makes water treatment more efficient, reduces harmful chemical use … Read more
How VAPAR’s AI Makes Underground Pipe Inspections Seamless
In the world of infrastructure, underground pipes don’t exactly get a lot of love. Hidden from view, they silently transport water, sewage, and storm runoff, serving as the backbone of our urban landscapes. But when things go wrong down there, the results can be catastrophic—think burst pipes, sinkholes, and flooded basements. That’s the kind of … Read more
This Water Tech won CES 2020: Where are they now?
Remember the buzz at CES 2020? Among thousands of cutting-edge innovations, one stood out and took home the “Best of the Best” award: Hydraloop. This game-changing water tech company wowed everyone with its mission to combat water scarcity. So, where are they now, and what makes Hydraloop so revolutionary? Let’s dive in. with 🎙️ Sabine … Read more
The World’s Best Water Entrepreneur Actually Runs a Charity
When we think of world-changing entrepreneurs, names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Bill Gates often come to mind. But there’s another one that deserves a spot on that list: Gary White. Along with his co-founder, the Hollywood superstar Matt Damon, Gary is transforming lives by addressing one of the most pressing global issues – … Read more
How Adionics Took a Bold Stand in the Competitive DLE Landscape
Imagine transforming the way we extract one of the most critical elements for our green future—lithium. This is where Adionics’ cutting-edge advancements and strategic pivots could reveal the company to be a game-changer in the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) market. Wanna learn more? Let’s dive into it: with 🎙️ Gabriel Toffani – CEO at Adionics
How Aquaporin Channels Reverse and Forward Osmosis Together for Growth
Imagine harnessing the power of nature to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: water scarcity. That’s exactly what Aquaporin is doing with its groundbreaking technology. By mimicking the natural process of water transport in cells, Aquaporin is not only changing the game in water treatment but also setting new standards for… water entrepreneurship! Wanna … Read more
How Ionic Solutions Trades High Pressure for High Efficiency in Desalination
Desalination has always been synonymous with high energy consumption and significant operational costs, but what if there was a way to make it more efficient and sustainable? Enter Ionic Solutions, a company that aims to revolutionize the desalination industry with its cutting-edge technology. Let’s explore it: with 🎙️ Jordan Grose – Vice-President of Commercialization at … Read more
How to End Bullshit and Measure your Water Stewardship Commitments Right
Water stewardship is a buzzword that’s often thrown around in corporate boardrooms and environmental conferences, but what does it truly mean? And more importantly, how do we ensure that companies’ commitments to water sustainability are not just empty promises? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of water stewardship, the necessity of standards, and how to measure … Read more
How 120Water Profitably Multiplied Its Customer Base by 50 in 4 Years
When Megan Glover co-founded 120Water in 2016, she was driven by a personal mission sparked by the Flint water crisis. As a concerned consumer and a seasoned marketing executive, she saw a glaring gap in the accessibility of water quality testing for everyday people. Fast forward to 2024, and 120Water has transformed from a consumer-focused … Read more
How Salinity Solutions Squeezes More Water out of Any Stream for Half the Energy
Ok, water scarcity and pollution are two of the biggest challenges our world faces today, right? So imagine a technology that could dramatically reduce energy consumption, cut water rejection, and make water reuse and resource recovery simpler and cheaper. Too niche? Too good to be true? Well, we should probably look at Salinity Solutions. Let’s … Read more
The Economic Fiasco Behind the Global Water Crisis
Why is the world struggling to solve the water crisis when the solution seems so simple? Humanity spends $153.2 Billion on Water every Year, yet by 2030 water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40%, 2.1 Billion people still don’t have access to safe drinking water, and just a little less than half of our wastewater is dumped to … Read more
How Oxyle Destroys PFAS with the Energy You’d Actually Waste
Yes I know, we just entered the PFAS removal age, so why already looking on the horizon? Well, removal is great if we stop drinking PFAS. But if the concentrated waste stream goes to landfills (and pollutes soils) or gets burnt and sent to the atmosphere, where’s the win? We’ll inevitably enter the age of … Read more
How Swirltex Nearly Crushed Its Founder Before Taking Off
Peter Christou had a water membrane epiphany in his garage in Edmonton. But a terrible timing and some financial difficulties of one of his investors basically turned him… homeless, and in the need to steal food to survive. As Swirltex has since soared and proved its worth, let’s explore the full story: with 🎙️ Peter … Read more
How SimpleLab Turned an Arsenic Removal Failure into a Lab Logistics Success
In the challenging yet ever-evolving world of water tech startups, sometimes what seems like a failure can pivot into a tremendous success story! Such is the tale of SimpleLab, who initially embarked on a mission to remove arsenic from drinking water, only to discover their true calling in revolutionizing lab logistics. Let’s explore it: with … Read more
How Aqua Membranes Prints Three Dimensional Benefits for Mesh Addicts
In the intricate Water Tech World we explore every week, Aqua Membranes has emerged as a pioneer, fundamentally altering how spiral wound membranes are constructed by replacing traditional netting spacers with innovative printed spacer technology. This seemingly simple switch carries profound implications not only for the efficiency and sustainability of water purification systems but also … Read more
How Aclarity Bootstrapped its Journey from B2C to PFAS Destruction
In the landscape of environmental innovation, where necessity drives invention, Aclarity stands as a beacon of progress, particularly in the battle against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This formidable challenge, rooted deeply in the domain of water purification, found a formidable adversary in Aclarity—a company that pivoted from consumer-focused solutions to spearheading advancements in PFAS … Read more
How Gradiant Became the First and Only Water Tech Unicorn
The journey to becoming a water tech unicorn is no small feat. Simply put: it had never been done… until Gradiant achieved that billion-dollar milestone last year. Today, we’re exploring that journey and the learnings that we can all take out from this: with 🎙️ Prakash Govindan – Co-Founder and COO of Gradiant
An Unpopular & Challenging (yet True?) Take on Venture Capital in Water
Venture capital (VC) has been the lifeblood of innovation across many sectors, propelling startups from garage projects to global giants. Yet, in the nuanced and critical sector of water and water technology, VC’s role is both celebrated and scrutinized. We’ve often covered here the VC’s point of view, let’s look at the other side of … Read more
How to Improve Water Resilience with Israel’s National Water Company
In today’s rapidly changing environment, water resilience has emerged as a critical aspect of sustainable development and disaster preparedness. The frequency of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts underscores the importance of ensuring that water utilities can withstand and quickly recover from such events. This imperative is not just about managing a precious … Read more
How to Overcome the 6 Water Crises Ahead. The Rise of Small Scale Solutions?
In “Water For All” David Sedlak offers a compelling exploration of the multifaceted water crises facing our world today. At a time when pessimism could easily take hold, Sedlak encourages a different view—one of optimism and innovative problem-solving. Through a detailed examination of past and present water crises, he provides a roadmap for overcoming the … Read more
The Do’s and Don’ts of Rural Water Supply 100 Days after MrBeast’s Big Splash
In the wake of MrBeast’s impactful 100 Wells initiative, the spotlight has turned towards the critical issue of water development in rural areas, especially within the challenging landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa. While such high-profile projects ignite conversations and inspire action, understanding the complexities of providing clean, sustainable water supplies demands a deeper dive. Enter experts … Read more
The Secret Formula for Profit in Water Tech Venture Capital
Venture Capital has long been said to not be a fit with Water endeavors. As the water sector is deemed to be conservative, success stories in water entrepreneurship were thought to be unpredictable and irrational, hence impossible to invest in. Yet, with the rise of specialized funds such as Burnt Island Ventures, all these preconceptions … Read more
Micro-Dosed Lithium: Tap Water’s Health Hack?
Let me write that sentence I hate: water is essential for life. But beyond hydration, what if it also played a crucial role in enhancing public health? That’s the promise of micro-dosed lithium. This trace mineral, we usually associate with mining for the battery supply chain, is now being spotlighted for its potential health benefits … Read more
Big Data, Deeper Insights: Crafting Smarter Water Strategies
In an era where technology seamlessly blends with daily life, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are not just buzzwords but pivotal tools reshaping industries. The water sector, the critical component of our environmental ecosystem you know so well, is no exception. At the forefront of this technological revolution is True Elements, a company that’s … Read more
The Economic Incentives of the Water Reuse Revolution
In the face of escalating water scarcity and the pressing demand for sustainable solutions, the concept of water reuse has surged from a niche environmental concern to a central economic opportunity. No longer just a conversation about conservation, water reuse has evolved into a narrative of smart economics, where the value of reprocessed water is … Read more
Beyond Technology: The Social Dynamics of Water Reuse
In an era where water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the concept of water reuse should emerge as a beacon of hope. But while technological advancements have made water reuse a feasible solution, there’s a critical aspect that often goes overlooked – the social dynamics influencing its adoption. Today, we’re looking at water … Read more
A Flow of Opportunities: The Unseen Potential in Water Careers
Let’s face it: water is often taken for granted. Yet, behind every drop of clean and accessible water is an intricate network of water professionals dedicated to its management and preservation. The water industry, while crucial, is frequently overlooked when considering dynamic and rewarding career paths. Let’s explore the hidden potential and myriad opportunities within … Read more
New Year, New You, New Water Job?
Happy New Year! With the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to look at new job opportunities, especially in the water industry. This field is about to see a big change. Many experienced people are retiring, leaving room for new talent to step in. This change, often called the ‘silver tsunami,’ is … Read more
These 5 Water Technologies Mitigate CO2 Emissions 5000x Better than Trees
Let’s explore five paths a water professional can follow to reduce the water sector’s carbon impacts. This year alone, I’ve traveled to six continents, I’ve taken 56 planes, and I’ve emitted nearly 12 tons of CO2 equivalent from that alone. As I started having a hard time looking my kids in the eye and telling … Read more
How to Buy a Water Company (and Turn in a Profit)
I dived into 23 years of M&A records in the Water Industry (and sat down with a bunch of first-hand experts 😉): 3 major trends stand out: 1️⃣ The most active players are American utility consolidators. Within the top 10 M&A fanatics, 6 respond to this description, and a 7th is also consolidating utilities (although not … Read more
My 5 Killer Water Technology Breakthroughs from Aquatech Amsterdam 2023
Fresh from the bustling halls of Aquatech Amsterdam 2023, the water sector’s epicenter for cutting-edge insights, here’s my personal selection of the water technologies you need to hear about. There’s a bit of disruption, a bit of translation, a tad of sturdiness, and a good piece of grit, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Shall we look into … Read more
Coding the Future: Ginkgo Bioworks’ Synthesis of Biology and Technology
Dive into the microscopic world where Ginkgo Bioworks is redefining the boundaries of biotechnology, transforming cells into high-performance solutions for the water industry and beyond. In this episode, we unravel the revolutionary tech that’s turning biological cells into the next-generation toolkit for environmental sustainability. with 🎙️ Kimberly Kupiecki – Senior Director at Gingko Bioworks 💧 … Read more
What is the Price of a Human Life? Study reveals.
If you’re from the US, your life is worth about 10 million dollars. That’s a lot, when you think that the median American worker will “only” make about $1.7 million dollars over his career, and that’s not much when you think that’s roughly the price of a specific Bugatti or Rolls Royce – I guess … Read more
Will Gradiant Succeed with H+E where SUEZ, Stulz, and RENA failed?
Gradiant just announced its acquisition of H+E (formerly Hager und Elsässer) – 51% first, but it should go up to 100% in the coming year. But why would it possibly work this time, when H+E failed to build success with Degremont, Ondeo, Stulz, RENA and Aquarion? Let’s find out. Mergers can be a bit like … Read more
Is Big Media Failing Us, or Are We Failing the Water Folks?
We’re diving deep into a topic that’s been swept under the rug for far too long: the media’s coverage of water issues – or lack thereof. Are journalists dropping the ball, or is the water sector failing to make its case? with 🎙️ J. Carl Ganter – Managing Director at Circle of Blue 💧 Circle … Read more
The REAL Ocean Killer is in your Closet!
It’s not the plastic straws! The greatest threat to the Oceans that’s living in all our homes is more discreet but much more harmful: it’s the washing machine. 30% of the plastic that enters the sea every year is actually microplastics, and a good chunk of it gets emitted when we wash synthetic fabric at … Read more
The $500 Million Bio-based Bet: Kemira’s Growth Accelerator Unveiled
What happens when chemistry meets purpose, and sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but a $500 million bet? That’s the riddle we dive into today, as water treatment is getting a revolutionary makeover—from purpose-driven chemistry to game-changing partnerships, all while making a bold leap into a bio-based future. with 🎙️ Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen – President Industry and … Read more
How Open Innovation Fueled Evoqua’s Resurrection: Steal that Growth Template!
Let’s unpack Evoqua’s intricate approach to Open Innovation – a strategy that significantly optimizes technological adoption and capital efficiency. We’ll get an expert breakdown, offering insights into strategic intellectual property development, the nuances of their merger and acquisition strategies, and why the Product Vitality Index should become your next key performance indicator: with 🎙️ Ann … Read more
Growing 10 Wonder Kids from 5 to 50 Clients with 0 Equity: Xylem’s Weirdest Move?
You may recall how we covered the Xylem Innovation Labs’ inception last year with Sivan Zamir, which led to many questions as to how they actually work! Let’s open the hood and explore how Xylem scouts the best prospects, multiplies their commercial references by 10 and propels them to new heights all of that… without … Read more
Will AI Prompt Us To Build A Sustainable Future?
Is AI a force for good or a double-edged sword? In this comprehensive look, we’ll discuss everything from the ethics of AI to its transformative role in sustainability. Are you ready to understand the complexities of an “AI Sustainable Future?” Let’s dive right in: with 🎙️ Alice Schmidt, MBA lecturer, Adviser to the European Commission, … Read more
The Bill Gates Jewel that Pivoted from Water to Chemical Free Lithium Refining
Mangrove Lithium started as a Water Technology play, yet it rapidly became evident that Lithium refining was an even stronger product market fit! Mangrove’s clever pivot was rapidly rewarded with a powerful business angel: Breakthrough Energy Ventures. What’s so sexy about electrochemical lithium refining that it attracted Bill Gates? Let’s explore: with 🎙️ Saad Dara … Read more
How to Foster Innovation and Agility when you’re the World’s Largest Water Company
Everybody wants to be the big dog one day! But how do you ensure staying on top once you’ve secured the number 1? That’s what we explore today, as we prove innovation to be key, at the intersection of membrane filtration, digital twins, and sustainability. Let’s wander the ever-evolving landscape of the global water industry … Read more
This Start-Up has been around for 222 Years and is Still Going Strong
In a rapidly changing environment, how does a company that’s around for over two centuries ensure to stay on top of the game? How does an old unicorn work in symbiosis with a bubbling start-up ecosystem? How does it apprehend new tidal waves such as the lithium and EV revolution? Let’s find out: (Also check … Read more
The 5 Rules To a Successful Direct Lithium Extraction Adventure
Ready for an epic journey? Strap in as we rock’n roll from deep-down brine to powering our future through lithium! We’re plunging into the buzz around Direct Lithium Extraction and companies like Standard Lithium who are making magic happen. Water and lithium – it’s a wild ride, let’s follow our guide this week: (Find out … Read more
Sustainable Lithium Production Has an Overlooked 3rd Component: Here’s How to Unlock It!
Humans are the third pillar of sustainability, and for too long, they’ve been left out of the equation of sustainable lithium production. So it’s about time to integrate all shareholders and first nations in particular in the lithium revolution discussion. How? Let’s explore: (Also check my entire Lithium deep dive!) with 🎙️ Christopher Brown – … Read more
How Lithium Refining & Water as a Service spark Growth for a Family Business
Aquatech is in business for 40 years, yet it is on the verge of taking a new dimension through two spectacular contracts in lithium refining: Lithium America’s Thacker Pass and Controlled Thermal Resources’ Hell Kitchen. Couple it with the company’s rise in Water as a Service (30% of its revenue today, soon to reach 50%) … Read more