January 25, 2013 -- PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, and Dutch advanced water technology company PWN Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing further areas of collaboration in advanced water treatment. Both parties will work together to realize scientific and technological benefits by developing knowledge-intensive programs and projects.
The MOU was signed following the promising trial of PWN Technologies' CeraMac® demonstration plant at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks, funded by the 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 S$470 million 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 conceptualization to commercialization.
The MOU is signed by the Chief Technology Officer of PUB, Mr. Harry Seah and the Director of Technology Application of PWN Technologies, Mr. Jonathan Clement in the presence of the Chief Executive of PUB, Mr. Chew Men Leong and the Chief Executive Officer of PWN Technologies Mr. Pieter Spohr. The event was officially witnessed by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, Mrs. Lilianne Ploumen, and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in the presence of other senior Dutch government officials.
"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," said Mr. Pieter Spohr.
“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. 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," added Mr. Chew Men Leong, who is also the Executive Director of EWI.
Prior to the signing, the Dutch delegation was given a detailed overview of the CeraMac® water treatment technology, which included a tour of the demo plant.
PUB and PWN Technologies, through their appointed representatives, will also collaborate to co-organize the Global Water Utilities Innovation Forum in Amsterdam on how the water industry can address the future challenges of dwindling water supply, energy and sustainability. This Forum is the second in the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) series of Forums focused on water utilities leaders with the overarching theme -- “Co-creating Future Solutions for Utilities”. Held in November 2013 in the lead-up to Amsterdam International Water Week, the Forum will bring together global water utilities leaders from the Americas, Europe and Africa regions to share challenges and co-create solutions.
The inaugural Forum in Singapore -- titled “SIWW Water Utilities Leaders Forum - Mapping Challenges and Solutions” will be held in September 2013, bringing together water utilities leaders in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. The outcomes of both high-impact discussions will also be showcased at SIWW 2014.
Since its initial entry into Singapore in 2009, PWN Technologies has had several developments. In 2010, it became a founding sponsor of SIWW, a global water event hosted in Singapore. It was also awarded funding by the EWI to build and test the CeraMac® demonstration plant at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks. Just last year, it opened its Singapore office, the first outside of the Netherlands.
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