PUB Singapore and PWN Technologies extend joint development of ceramic membrane filtration
Following a promising 18 month trial conducted with the CeraMac demonstration plant at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks, PUB Singapore is interested to further implement PWN Technologies' ceramic membrane filtration technology.
Jonathan Clement, Director of Technology Application, PWNT (left) and Harry Seah, Chief Technology Officer, PUB (right) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Singapore on January 23.
Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade Lillian Ploumen and Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnanand witnessed the event (standing in the back).
Joint technology development programme
PUB and PWN Technologies agreed to work together to realize scientific and technological benefits by developing knowledge-intensive programs and projects. The new joint development is funded by Singapore's Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI)’s TechPioneer scheme.
With the ongoing demonstration testing, specific targets as defined in the TechPioneer agreement (such as high water flux and water recovery) are met.
Through the EWI, an interagency outfit spearheading the growth of the local water industry through technology development, the National Research Foundation (NRF) has committed 470 million Singapore dollar to drive public and private sector water research.
Companies can tap on various funding schemes such as the TechPioneer Scheme for R&D activities, from idea conceptualisation to commercialisation.
Dutch minister of Foreign Trade Lilianne Ploumen and Singapore minister of water resources Vivian Balakrishnan visiting the CeraMac demonstration plant.
Growing water demand
Chief Executive Officer of PWN Technologies Mr Pieter Spohr: "This MOU underscores the strengthening partnership between Singapore and The Netherlands in the area of advanced water treatment and PWN Technologies is extremely honoured to play a leading role in developing this relationship."
Chief Executive PUB and executive director of EWI Mr Chew Men Leong: "PUB is always on the lookout for innovative water solutions and the best way forward is through R&D collaborations with the private sector, which allows the various parties to mutually leverage on synergies gained from marrying expertise and technological resources.
Chew Men Leong: "We look forward to a rewarding long-term partnership with PWN Technologies to not only meet Singapore’s growing water demand more efficiently, but also add vibrancy to the local water R&D landscape, and boost Singapore’s status as a global hydrohub".
Large scale plant under construction
Mother company and public drinking water supplier PWN is building the first large scale CeraMac/Six-plant in Andijk, the Netherlands. The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2013, requiring an investment of nearly 50 million euros.
The Andijk III plant was awarded the IWA Global project innovation Award 2012 during the IWA World Water Conference in Busan, Korea on September 19th.
Also read:
- PWN Technologies to build ceramic mebrane demo plant in Singapore, July 6, 2011
- PWN Technologies to build its largest Six/CeraMac plant in Andijk, the Netherlands, December 30, 2011
- PWN Technologies honored with IWA Global innovation awards, September 22, 2012
Director Pieter Spohr interviewed by chief editor Tom Freyberg of WaterWorldOnline during Singapore Water Week 2011
This news item is based on a press release published on the website of PUB.
More information
PWN Technologies
Velserbroek, the Netherlands
+31 23 541 3740
www.pwntechnologies.nl
PUB
Singapore
+65 62 358 888
www.pub.gov.sg