North America
AXEON expension announced
AXEON Water Technologies has announced plans for expansion that include the relocation of the company’s operations and corporate headquarters during the first quarter of 2012. The company will be moving into a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility, customized to support the smooth continuation of operations and quality assurance. AXEON, a manufacturer of membrane systems, elements, housings and components, will be moving into a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility, customized to support the smooth continuation of operations and quality assurance. After March 1, contact information will be: AXEON Water Technologies, 40980 County Center Drive, Suite 100, Temecula, CA 92591; phone: (800) 320-4074; fax: (800) 609-0829; email: [email protected] and website: www.axeonwater.com.
NSF news
NSF International has published NSF/ANSI 350: Onsite Residential and Commercial Reuse Treatment Systems, the first American national standard for commercial and residential onsite water reuse treatment systems. The new standard complements NSF’s expanding scope of environmental standards and sustainable product standards, which help establish criteria for and clear methods of evaluating environmental and sustainable product claims. Certifying a water reuse system to the new standard also satisfies requirements for leading green building programs. Shawnee, KS-based Bio-Microbics, Inc. is the first company to earn NSF/ANSI 350 certification for its Bio-Barrier® membrane bioreactor (MBR).
The agency announced it has earned accreditation from JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System for Australia and New Zealand) to issue the Australian WaterMark, required on plumbing and water treatment products sold in those countries. The certification includes material safety and performance testing as well as an audit of the manufacturing facility. Plumbing and drinking water manufacturers can now obtain testing and certification from NSF International that meets both NSF and WaterMark certification requirements simultaneously. In addition, manufacturers seeking compliance in other countries can obtain multiple certifications from NSF International as part of a complete suite of global testing and certification services. A sampling of other approvals by NSF includes but is not limited to: the UK, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Malaysia.
NSF International has also earned accreditation from Brazil’s National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (INMETRO) to test and certify drinking water treatment products for the Brazilian marketplace. Local producers in Brazil and manufacturers seeking to import their drinking water treatment products into Brazil are required to obtain the INMETRO seal of conformity for their products.
Carbon Resources news
The US Commerce Association (USCA) has named Carbon Resources the Best of Oceanside Award for the third year in a row in the Chemical and Allied Products category. Nationwide, less than one percent of the 2011 Award recipients qualify as three-time award winners. The USCA Best of Business award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the association identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their communities. Carbon Resources also announced it has received NSF/ANSI Standard 61 certification on its coal base and coconut shell products. The company received NSF/ANSI Standard 42 certification on its Sabre Series® C products in 2001.
Extech relocation announced
Extech Instruments announced the relocation of its headquarters to an all-new facility in Nashua, NH, to accommodate strong growth and to serve customers better in the years ahead, Extech announced the move, along with the Billerica, MA operations of parent company, FLIR Systems’ Commercial Systems division, to 9 Townsend West, Nashua, NH 03063-1233. In the coming months, the Nashua location will house the eastern US operations for FLIR’s Commercial Systems division. The new location will house administrative and corporate offices, customer service and technical support, marketing and sales, quality control, NIST calibration laboratories, repair services and an extensive warehouse. FLIR’s Infrared Training Center will also be moving to the Nashua location this month. Extech’s toll-free number remains unchanged: (877) 2-EXTECH (811-239-8324). The new local number is (603) 324-7800.
Nylobrade anniversary celebrated
Nylobrade, introduced to the US in 1956 by NewAge Industries Founder Raymond Baker, celebrated its 55th anniversary in November. This original braid- reinforced PVC hose has for decades been used for liquid, air and gas transfer in applications involving chemicals, foods and beverages, OEM, toys, pneumatics, low pressure hydraulics, MRO, pools and spas, medical devices, fuels and oils, and instrumentation. It is also used as protective jacketing. Nylobrade recently gained NSF 61 (potable water) and NSF 51 (food equipment) certifications.
Ashberry wins fourth award
Ashberry Water Conditioning, for the fourth straight year, has been named one of the top 50 growth companies in the Tampa Bay, FL area by Tampa Bay Business Journal, ranked this year as number 45. With growth fueled both organically and by three acquisitions to date, Ashberry now has offices in Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando. Currently, the hospitality industry is the single largest customer group, although healthcare accounts for a growing percentage of revenues.
NSPF grants awarded
Over the past seven years, the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) Board of Directors has given back over $4 million dollars (USD) to fund research to demonstrate health benefits and to reduce injury and disease in and around the water. This year, the NSPF board has awarded four grants totaling $180,995. One health benefit grant was awarded to Utah State University and three injury prevention grants were awarded to University of Arizona, Purdue University and University of North Carolina-Charlotte. These grants will sustain ongoing research supported by NSPF in recent years and embark on new research. Industry partners Research Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects, a non-profit organization founded by the American Chemistry Council, and leading UV manufacturer, Engineered Treatment Systems LLC, donated to specific grants.
Conference registration open
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) announced that registration is now open for the 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference, to be held March 18-21 in Portland, OR. The four day event, which features two workshops and more than 25 technical sessions, will offer attendees information on the benefits of robust sustainability planning and how it leads to cohesive communities and utility system optimization.
Latin America
Advanced water treatment from GE in the Bahamas
GE’s advanced desalination technology is helping a water scarce region in the Bahamas conserve water, expand water production and improve its access to clean drinking water. Residents of Tarpum Bay on the island of Eleuthera have been suffering with brackish and poor quality water for many years. GE provided its seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membrane technology to a new water treatment plant, which can now produce 200,000 imperial gallons per day of desalinated water. Specifically, the plant uses GE’s SeaTECH 84 SWRO system. With the commissioning of the Tarpum Bay/Rock Sound Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant, there are now three GE water treatment facilities on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.
Asia
JI expo a resounding success
The three-in-one Industrial Event, Watertech & Wastetech, HVACR (Heating & Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Air-Filtration, Purification and Refrigeration) and Process Systems (PS) Indonesia 2011 closed its doors with resounding success on November 19, 2011 at the Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo). The three-day trade event has doubled in size since its inaugural staging in 2009, highlighting the participation of leading industry manufacturers and distributors from over 150 exhibiting organizations and representing companies from 13 countries, including Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Aside from the trade exhibition, the three-day event hosted three key conferences focusing on industry updates on the latest trends, policies and case studies for the water, process systems and HVAC industry sectors. The trade exhibition attracted over 3,600 visitors and participants from 26 countries.
KMS to supply membranes in China
Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. (KMS) has been selected to supply membranes for a large-scale wastewater recycling system for Yingkou Medium Plate Co., Ltd., in Yingkou City, Liaoning Province, China. The project will recycle the plant’s wastewater to meet strict government discharge regulations and to conserve the region’s fresh water supply. KMS will supply 832 TARGA® 10-inch cartridges as well as the necessary engineering support for the Yingkou project, working in cooperation with Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Ltd. (CERI), the engineering firm responsible for designing and building the system. The system is designed to handle an annual average flow of 80,000 m3/d. Start-up is scheduled for early 2012.