Culligan International Company’s expanded 9,500 square foot analytical laboratory houses state-of-the art equipment that tests water samples from virtually anywhere in the world. The lab now offers organic analysis in addition to standard, hemodialysis, scale and resin analysis options.?
LANXESS Sybron Chemicals Inc.’s ion exchange resins production facility in Birmingham, NJ will cease production in May. Officials of parent company LANXESS AG said production at this facility was no longer competitive. A new plant in Jhagadia, in the Indian state of Gujarat, is expected to open in two years.?
Aquathin® Corp. has been chosen to receive the esteemed President’s E Star Award by the US Commerce Department. The award, created by Executive Order of President John F. Kennedy in 1961, affords recognition to select organizations that contribute significantly in the effort to increase US exports.?
Professional Analytical and Consulting Services invites interested professionals to participate as distinguished speakers at the 2008 International Activated Carbon Conferences (IACC). Visit www.pacs.com for more information.?
HM Digital’s COM-100 and PH-200 water testing instruments recently accompanied a team of scientists with the Environmental, Biochemical and Nutritional Analytical-Control Research Group of the University of Granada (Spain) on a month-long pollution study in Antarctica. The group collected and analyzed water samples for 33 parameters set by the European Union and will present their results soon.?
Waterite Technologies, Inc. purchased all outstanding shares of Prairie Water Systems Ltd., a pump and water treatment product distributor for Manitoba, northwest Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada, for an undisclosed sum.?
The Water Quality Association recently certified Purolite’s A532E perchlorate selective resin under the NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for use in drinking water. This is the highest capacity resin for the removal of oxyanions such as perchlorate.?
North America
Calgon featured on The History Channel
A January episode of Modern Marvels, the popular, award-winning documentary series on The History Channel, featured Calgon Carbon Corporation in a segment that delved into carbon and its varied applications. The program showcases an array of scientific, mechanical and technological topics. Filmed on location at Calgon Carbon’s Big Sandy plant, Senior Vice President Robert O’Brien and Plant Manager Peter Yacoe shared their insights on why activated carbon is the material of choice for purifying drinking water, along with many other uses.
NSPF news
The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) awarded a one million dollar grant to Washington State University researchers who plan to create the National Aquatics and Sports Medicine Institute (NASMI). The institute’s director, Dr. Bruce Becker, is a physician and research professor at WSU’s College of Education. The Foundation has supported Becker’s research for three years; the latest grant will pay for staff and equipment, allowing the researchers to create the institute. Becker works alongside Assistant Professor Kasee Hildenbrand, who teaches the College of Education’s movement studies program and directs its athletic training education program.
NSPF will offer an Instructor class in Puerto Rico, April 19-21. Both English- and Spanish-speaking individuals who have achieved the Certified Pool-Spa Operator® certification may attend. Those who successfully complete the instructor class gain access to all NSPF products at discounted prices and can teach all of the organization’s courses. Individuals who have not yet achieved certification may contact [email protected], telephone 011-719-540-9119 or fax 011-719-540-2787 for more information and registration.
US EPA arsenic removal projects announced
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has awarded AdEdge Technologies, Inc. three full-scale sites for the agency’s Round 2a arsenic removal technology demonstrations for municipal drinking water systems. The aggressive demonstration program, divided into multiple rounds, was created to further qualify commercially ready arsenic removal technologies that result in significant cost savings over previous technologies. AdEdge projects feature systems that use Bayoxide® E33 media for arsenic removal or AdEdge AD26 media for co-occurrence of arsenic, iron and manganese. The company has been selected in all three rounds of the program, with 12 completed or active projects to date.
Bottled water news
The State of Washington has joined the bottled water fray with a bill introduced in January calling for a ban on the use of “petroleum-based water bottles.” The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) issued a position statement opposing the legislation because it unreasonably targets plastic bottled water containers and will make it more difficult for consumers to drink this healthy beverage choice. The IBWA statement further concludes that passage of HB2422, “will make it more difficult for consumers to drink bottled water in small, convenience-sized plastic containers by forcing them to purchase their bottled water in neighboring states.” If passed, the legislation would take effect January 1, 2010. Visit www.bottledwater.org and http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ for full text versions of the position statement and the bill, respectively. IBWA submitted written testimony in opposition to Hawaii’s HB 3445 to the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and the House Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources and Hawaiian Affairs for consideration during a January 31 public hearing. The Hawaiian legislation would impose a five-cents-per-container ‘surcharge’ on bottled water produced or distributed in-state. Currently, the Association stands ready to work with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) as it considers a request by two members of the US House Subcommittee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials to study specific issues concerning bottled water and tap water. IBWA reiterated that the industry is confident the facts will conclusively demonstrate its outstanding record of environmental stewardship, conservation and sustainability practices. IBWA also believes the GAO report will show that safety, quality and labeling are comprehensively regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state governments.
HI seeking pump experts
The Hydraulic Institute (HI), under the approval of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is seeking qualified individuals in North America to participate in the review process for the draft of two updated standards: ANSI/HI 9.6.2, Rotodynamic (Centrifugal and Vertical) Pumps – Allowable Nozzle Loads and ANSI/HI 2.4, Rotodynamic (Vertical) Pumps for Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manuals. The Institute is currently assembling a canvass list of all parties interested in reviewing the drafts. Individuals and organizations in North America directly and materially affected by these standards are asked to contact Karen Anderson, Administrator, Technical Affairs, at [email protected] or call (973) 267-9700, extension 23.
Temperature key to BPA leaching
Adding boiling water to polycarbonate plastic bottles causes a dramatic spike in the amount of bisphenol A (BPA) leaching from containers, according to a University of Cincinnati (Ohio) research team, Science Daily reported. Researcher Scott Belcher, Ph. D., noted that when the bottles were exposed to boiling hot water, BPA was released 55 times more rapidly than before exposure. The study also indicated that temperature had the most impact on leaching, not the age of the bottle. A paper outlining the findings was released in Toxicology Letters, a peer reviewed journal.
MIOX honored by online network
MIOX Corporation has been selected as one of the ‘hottest private companies in greentech’ for 2007 by AlwaysOn, a Silicon Valley online network that tracks high-tech companies and trends. The Going Green Top 100 list recognizes innovative companies that are altering industry landscapes by providing environmentally sustainable solutions. Companies were evaluated for the award based on technology innovation, market potential, commercialization, stakeholder value creation and media attention.
Specialty shrink sleeve labels first
Printpack, Inc.’s Seal-It division has produced the first commercial full-body shrink sleeve labels in the nutraceutical product category made from Earthfirst® PLA. PLA substrate was chosen primarily for source reduction and more sustainable packaging. The labels were printed rotogravure in eight-nine colors, with a 360-degree image area that provided room for graphics, ingredient information, nutritional information and a bar code. The compostable PLA film shrank to the contours of the uniquely shaped glass bottle, providing a high gloss, premium look that met the customer’s need for a more environmentally friendly package.
Pool and Spa Expo
With more than 300,000 net square feet of booth space available to showcase the latest products and services, the Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo has kicked off its booth space sales campaign. The 2008 event will be held November 18-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prospective exhibitors should sign up now to participate in a Space Draw on April 3. Companies (A-J) should contact Sandi McMullen at [email protected] or (972) 536-6386; (K-O), Clark McEwen at [email protected] or (972) 536-6360 and (P-Z), Kayla VanCleve at [email protected] or (972) 536-6326 for more information.
UV technology grant awarded
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has awarded nearly $700,000 to University of Cincinnati, Ohio, researchers Dionysios Dionysiou and coworkers to study processes used to purify drinking water. The team will establish a baseline understanding of how toxins produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can be changed by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The research will be critical to developing cost-efficient UV technologies to treat water contaminated by such toxins. Dionysiou is also investigating treatment of algae-contaminated water specifically using sunlight and an environmentally friendly catalyst.
Price increase
Business Wire reported that North American Salt Company and Sifto Canada Corp., subsidiaries of Compass Minerals, announced a $75 per-ton price increase on potassium-based consumer and industrial water conditioning products. The new prices will take effect for all North American shipments beginning March 17, or as contracts allow.
Nanotechnology market growth increasing
A new study by Helmut Kaiser Consultancy indicates the global nanotechnology market for water and wastewater was worth US$1.6 billion in 2007 and is anticipated to reach US$6.6 by 2015, according to the Meridian Institute. The study noted that the 2007 market was dominated by nanotechnology filtration applications (43 percent), but applications for desalination and irrigation will be the fastest growing segments until 2015 and beyond. The market for nanotechnology-based water disinfection will also be one of the fastest growing segments.
TST expansion announced
TST Water, LLC has moved to larger quarters located at 42188 Rio Nedo, Unit C, Temecula, CA 92590. The new facility will allow the company to double manufacturing and assembly capacity and significantly increase its inventory of finished goods to meet growing product demand. Telephone and fax number is (951) 541-9517.
Europe
Expanded offerings for Aquatech Amsterdam
Aquatech Amsterdam 2008 will offer visitors and exhibitors more networking opportunities and easily accessible educational sessions via AquaStages, semi-open platforms on the exhibition floor designed to offer in-depth knowledge transfer to a group of people simultaneously. They will be used for specific thematic workshops, product presentations, technology presentations and lectures by leading professionals or presentations as part of the Innovation Awards. These venues offer exhibitors new ways to make the most of participation, while visitors can increase technical knowledge in an efficient manner. Three AquaStages will be featured on the exhibition floor during the four-day event: water treatment and point of use, Latin America Fairmount to support filtration projects Fairmount Minerals has agreed to supply the financial support, filtration materials and technical assistance needed to place 1,000 economically viable water purification systems in four countries by the end of the year. The firm has aligned with the Aqua Clara Foundation, a nonprofit, faith-based group focused on developing unique, inexpensive chemical and physical systems to locally generate sustainable supplies of potable drinking water. The Aqua Clara Water Purification system is a POU filter that cleans and disinfects otherwise polluted water without boiling.
Asia
Singapore International Water Week
Organizers of Singapore International Water Week announced that all exhibition space, increased by 30 percent due to high demand, has been sold. 150 participating companies from 18 countries have signed up for the Water Expo, a major trade show focusing on innovations, products, services, best practices, successful case studies and practical applications of water technologies. The 43,000+ square foot (4,000 m2) show floor will feature national pavilions showcasing technologies from China, Germany, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Japan, Israel, Singapore and a wide range of participating companies and organizations. Nominations for the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize garnered 39 submissions from more than 15 countries. The event is June 23-27.
Heraeus facilities opened
Heraeus Noblelight, a manufacturer of specialty lamps, including ultraviolet lamps for water disinfection (predominantly for the Asian market), expanded its capability in Shenyang, China last year with a new, purpose-built production and administration building. The company also opened its new Applications Centre in Shanghai in January that now houses the sales department. Further expansion is planned as Heraeus anticipates additional growth opportunities in the future.
Middle East
Prize nomination news
The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water 2006-2008 has received nearly 200 nominations from 53 countries; a panel of judges will begin picking winners this month. The new Creativity Prize, worth around US$266,000 or one million Saudi Riyals (SR), attracted 73 nominations. It will be awarded to any original work (research, invention, technique, etc.) that is considered a breakthrough in any water-related field. The process/product must be practically applicable, economically feasible and environmentally friendly. The prize will be awarded near the end of the year.
Africa
Water purification in a straw
International public health intervention company Vestergaard Frandson launched its instant microbiological water purifier in Ghana as part of the firm’s basic efforts toward wiping out waterborne diseases on the African continent. The Ghanian Chronicle reported the introduction of the Life Straw Purifier, designed to purify water at the household level to eradicate micro bacterium responsible for diarrhea, dysentery, cholera and guinea worm infestation. These diseases have claimed the lives of over one billion people in African countries, mostly women and children. The previous introduction of company’s crop filter and straw filter helped to reduce guinea worm infestation by 19 per cent.