AQUA+TECH Specialties SA
aquaTECH leads in the development of solutions for water recycling in a variety of sectors. A one-minute movie introduced aquaTECHs philosophy and highlights some applications as well as our facilities in Geneva. Smart Water includes sensors which are connected to various treatment plants, remotely. These devices each are basically their own computers and communicate as part of the Internet of Things. They use LoRaWAN which is a long range technology, similar to bluetooth, but on the scale of kilometers. This should lower by an order of magnitude the cost of installing water detection and the extremely low power requirements render these devices service-free for up to two years. AQUA TECH is the company that will bring Smart Water to you.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Technology
- Industry Type:
- Water Treatment
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
About Us
AQUA+TECH has been recognized with a Wall Street Journal Europe Innovation award as the top environmental firm as well as receiving a Bronze Medal for Business Innovation from Dow Jones, related to our powdered SnowFlake technology. We were one of five firms chosen Swiss Economic Award in 2003 as well as the de Vigier Prize for Entrepreneurship. Additional recognition for the AlpineFloc emulsions includes the Swiss Federal Label of Excellence from the Commission for Technology Innovation and the Prize of Honor from the Foundation for Technology Innovation.
The initial research behind our innovative wastewater technology has gone on to help us produce breakthrough products that are pure enough, and of sufficiently high and consistent quality, that we use them in clinical trials for drug delivery and in personal care applications including skin based cosmetoceuticals. AQUA+TECH is involved in medical projects which are clinically oriented and use our expertise in polyelectrolytes as well as some of our polymers.
History
aquaTECH was founded in 1997. Prior to this, the founders were consultants to many of the firms working on water soluble and swellable polymers for applications in water and personal care. They observed a resistance to implement technology where water was becoming a commodity, as for example, plastics were. aquaTECH also concluded that some of the players in the market were missing the chance to consider water as an opportunity.
Some types of water such as municipal sludge, are relatively easy to treat. However, where water is to be recycled and used in large quantities, new technologies are required to solve the problems (e.g. in mining). Additionally, many markets require service and appreciate this from the producer (e.g. paper), or where the client requires information as to new national laws/international norms (food).
With these three bases, aquaTECH was founded to develop, produce and market water soluble polymers. aquaTECH's model is to support our local partners with training and onsite contact with their clients. We are a small multinational, selecting geographical areas of operation if five criteria are met
- Water is important, and there is a national commitment to treat or recycle it in place. aquaTECH does not construct plants and we require facilities to exist so that the chemical and service sides can be optimized. Unfortunately, most of
- Africa does not have facilities and such a market is too early to consider.
- A margin can be made by our partner. Without having a business associate, locally, providing service and making money, we cannot sustain a client.
- The market is growing. If there is no expansion the competitors cannibalize each other and margin deteriorates rapidly.
- The market is fair. This basically means there is no government support of some local companies (e.g. Italy and 3F) and trade associations do not favour national firms (as is the case in Japan).
- We believe we can sell. This is mostly related to language constraints. If we can go to visit our partner and talk to their clients, carrying out testing, we can provide a more profound assistance and value added.