On June 9 an agreement was signed marking the start of a joint research programme that will look at new technologies relating to water recycling, membrane processes for desalination systems and recycling processes and the reduction of sludge in wastewater recycling plants.
For WABAG a dream has come true, as it has long held a wish to establish a joint research programme with the Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) of Anna University in the field of process and product development, utilising the same water and wastewater treatment systems that have made WABAG a world technology leader.
This coming together of experts from a renowned institution with rich traditions and a water technology leader will certainly prove beneficial for both parties and society in general.
Anna University, represented by vice chancellor Dr P Mannar Jawahar, and WABAG, represented by managing director Rajiv Mittal, signed an MoU on June 9, thus signalling the start of the WABAG-CES research collaboration programme.
The benefits derived from this teamwork include:
- A university-industry support mechanism that will facilitate technological innovation, launching products, processes and services on to the market.
- The partners can provide specific knowledge, essential to innovation and support, by way of specifically educated personnel and research infrastructure. Moreover, WABAG will offer technological and marketing know-how, as well as project management experience.
- The facilitation of the successful conversion of scientific results and technological ideas into commercial innovations in the field of water and wastewater treatment.
- Co-ordination via WABAG with leading European universities, as well as WABAG Europe’s R&D centres, to provide expertise on special topics such as membrane technology.
- The exchange of scientific and process engineering personnel. WABAG’s R&D policy is to develop processes and technologies that meet the requirements of each specific market. In pursuance of this goal, a multi-domestic innovation strategy has been implemented and several international R&D partnerships have been successfully established, for example in Switzerland and Austria.
- The expertise gathered from WABAG’s cooperation with the Zurich water authority and Vienna’s main wastewater treatment plant in Austria, as well as with leading university and research institutes, which is aimed at accomplishing optimum results.
This research collaboration programme with the Central for Environmental Studies (CES) of Anna University truly represents another feather in WABAG’s cap.
