number 02, 2018 Hubs Water Tec h Connec ting ting

South Korea business in doing

Mansveld Wilma interview top talents international Eight content colofon WaterProof is the magazine of the Water Alliance, a partnership between government, research institutions and industry in the field of innovative and sustainable water technology. From its base, the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden, the Water Alliance builds on the ‘water technology innovation chain’; a process whereby new ideas from universities, laboratories and test sites are converted into worldwide marketable products. WaterProof provides regional, national and global information 06 14 on developments, results and background in the field of water technology.

DOING BUSINESS IN SOUTH KOREA INNOFEST South Korea and the Dutch Living lab and incubator for enterprise 10 16

WILMA MANSFELD EUROPEAN WATER TeCH WEEK 2018 ‘We are extremely aware of the power of water’ Connecting global water tech hubs

Editor in Chief Menno Bakker AND: Journal Management Brenda de Jong, INTRO BY HEIN MOLENKAMP 03 Narvic Media & Communicatie | www.narvic.nl NEWS IN BRIEF 04 Text Contributors Casper Ferwerda, Wiebrand de Boer, 13 INFOGRAPHIC 20 Menno Bakker and many others CORINA CARPENTLER 22 Translation Context Talen RIK BORNER 23 Graphic Design Jan Robert Mink | minkgraphics.nl eight high potentials INTERNATIONAL PRESSTRIP 24 Photography Frans Fazzi, Nico Pakvis and many others visit watercampus MEMBERS OF THE WATER ALIANCE 26 Printer Drukkerij Van der Eems

02 | intro by Hein Molenkamp Connecting water tech hubs

A remarkable phenomenon that aptly underlines the ever-increasing importance of water technology in the world is the growth of internationally renowned water hubs: places where government, knowledge, and business come together, innovations are developed, and new markets are exploited. One such place is WaterCampus Leeuwarden. In the festive year 2018, in which our hometown and region is the cultural capital of Europe, I would like to boast for once: We are extremely proud of the innovation ecosystem that we have developed over the past years! Thanks to an intensive collaboration between government, knowledge institutes and businesses, we have managed to build a solid chain of innovation that has achieved global admiration.

For example, I have fond memories of the Canadian Water Summit 2017 in Vancouver, where the words “Bring in the Dutch” were frequently spoken with regard to challenges faced in the water technology industry. A group of Brazilian water journalists who recently visited the WaterCampus also expressed their appreciation. “We have seen what far-reaching cooperation between government, education, and businesses can lead to. I am travelling back to Brazil with a big exclamation point above my head”, says freelance journalist Andrea Vialli about the trip. And recently in Daejeon, South Korea, it was nice to see how serious K-Water was when discussing a collaboration. ‘Wonderful Wonderful water hubs are being created by sharing knowledge; in Singapore, USA, Canada, Israel, South Korea, water hubs and of course, here in the Netherlands. Our door is open and we are open to collaboration. And in September we will be are being throwing our doors wide open. From 24 to 27 September, we will be celebrating the European Water Tech Week created by Leeuwarden 2018. More information on this can be found in this edition of WaterProof. If you have not signed up for it sharing yet, I call on you to do so quickly. We will be there to welcome you! knowledge’

Hein Molenkamp Managing Director, Water Alliance | 03 Atium wins WaterCampus Business Challenge

Hydroscope

Photo: The jury and winners of the WaterCampus Business Challenge (left to right): Leon Korving of Wetsus, Robert Polano of Carduso Capital, winners Emma Ericson and Johan Björkquist of Atium, and organizer Ronald Wielinga

This year’s competition again Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Poland, with experienced entrepreneurs in brought a large number of start-ups Ghana, and Portugal: it reads like an the water industry and experts in to Leeuwarden, from near and far. exciting group in the FIFA World Cup, the areas of networking, financing, In total there were 17 participants, but in this case, it is a selection from the patents, etc. On Wednesday there representing 10 different cases. international group of participants of was a dinner with CEOs from the Swedish company Atium won the WaterCampus Business Challenge. Dutch water industry. On Monday, the challenge. The company This year’s challenge was held from 12 to the participants pitched their idea has developed a technology for 16 March. Atium, a company owned by for the first time and on Friday they selectively removing harmful metals Swedish participants Emma Ericson and gave a second pitch. The second from water. Besides purifying the Johan Björkquist, was declared the winner. pitch was in front of a jury consisting water, the method also allows the of an investor, technologist, and metals to be recycled. their way with their strategy. What The WaterCampus Business market specialist. As always, it was Organizer Ronald Wielinga, of the they have developed is a solution to Challenge is intended primarily to great to see how much better and WaterCampus Business Challenge, a known problem. That makes for a give water technology start-ups a more complete the Friday pitches explains why the jury chose Atium as good product. And they have a strong push in the right direction. According were. Earlier winners have gone the winner. “Emma and Johan had a team in place in Sweden. Now, they to Wielinga, “We want to help them on to become extremely successful strong pitch. They have already given can start testing their product in the take the step from invention to and Atium is also a very promising a lot of thought to the company’s field, they will soon be running an innovation. We offer participants company.” route to the market and are well on initial pilot at AkzoNobel.” information and coaching sessions

04 | four start-ups and benten water solutions join party Royal Commissioner visits Benten Water Solutions A freezing day did not dampen the enthusiasm. himself after an earlier conversation with Corina only have a small office in Leeuwarden, the tour On Friday, 2 March, Arno Brok, Royal Commissioner Carpentier, founder of Benten Water Solutions. would have been very short. So, four other start-ups of the Province of Friesland, paid a visit to the “Mr Brok was so enthusiastic about Corina’s story with offices in the Business Centre joined the party. Johannes de Doper WaterCampus Business Centre that he has requested a guided tour”, says Binnie He stayed for over an hour. It was a relaxed visit, and in Leeuwarden. Brok suggested the idea for the visit Hoogsteen of Benten Water Solutions. “But, as we Mr Brok was very interested.”

You might already have noticed: at The European Water Where Tech Week Leeuwarden 2018 (EWTW 2018), innovation, technology and policy leaders from companies, to go in universities and governments get together during several inspiring events taking place from September 24 September to 27, 2018. See for further details a special article in this european water issue of WaterProof. For the full program, visit: tech week 2018 www.watercampus.nl/ewtw2018

| 05 Doing business in South Korea

Doing business in South Korea Opportunities for Dutch businesses in Daegu’s growing water hub

The ties between the Water Alliance and the South Korean Strengthened water technology industry get stronger every year. What Research by the University of Zurich in began in 2015 with a visit from Director Hein Molenkamp 2017 found that it really is true: those who to the World Water Forum in Daegu received ample follow- regularly give are happier than those up in the ensuing years, with a string of visits back and who do not. The focus of the Swiss study forth. The latest encounter took place in early April of this was fairly straightforward; it looked at year, when a delegation from the Province of Friesland offers of financial help from one person and the Water Alliance again paid a visit to the Korean to another. In business it is also generally Water Cluster in Deagu. A sizeable water technology acknowledged that those who dare to hub is developing in this South Korean city, bringing share ultimately reap more in return. In opportunities for matching South Korean and Dutch that spirit, WaterAlliance has received water technologies. dozens of international delegations at the WaterCampus over the past years. Its

06 | Doing business in South Korea

government of Friesland and the NHL Market opportunities Stenden University of Applied Sciences. In addition to all of these knowledge “During an extensive workshop thoughts exchanges, there is also the challenge were exchanged about the question of of capitalizing on market opportunities how you can best shape cooperation for companies. Various Water Alliance between knowledge, government, and members are already active in South internationally-oriented water technology Korea, Molenkamp tells us. “Paques has businesses”, says Molenkamp. already delivered a number of anaerobic The director additionally commented wastewater treatment projects for various on the importance of the good industries. There is also a large biogas deployment of the Dutch embassy in desulphurization facility that was supplied Seoul in development of the relationship. to a landfill in the city of Daejeon. Embassy staff was intensively involved in RoyalHaskoningDHV recently signed the meetings, according to Molenkamp, a contract with Samsung Engineering “and Wetskills was also discussed.” to introduce its Nereda process to the These are events at which Dutch water Korean market. And as a result of our students, together with students from presence at the Korean International people have travelled the world to share abroad, work on innovative solutions Water Week, KIWW [September 2017] their knowledge and in doing so have for international water problems. Both Brightspark from Sneek was able to strengthened the ties with international Daegu and the Province of Friesland initiate collaboration with a Korean water hubs such as those in Milwaukee participated in Wetskills events during the company to supply disinfection systems (USA), Singapore, Israel, Canada, and Olympic Games recently held in Pyeong for the many water fountains in South South Korea. Molenkamp has given Chang, according to Molenkamp. During Korea. These are inspiring examples, multiple presentations in South Korea European Water Technology Week, for other companies too. That is why we on the innovation ecosystem developed to be held in Leeuwarden from 24 to have agreed with the Koreans in Deagu in and around the WaterCampus in 27 September, another international that both sides will take stock of the Leeuwarden. In early April, Molenkamp Wetskills competition will be held, and businesses they have close ties to, and was, as noted, in Daegu again, this time Korean participants are again expected see what South Korean businesses can accompanied by colleague Bart Volkers there.” be matched to Dutch water technology and representatives of the provincial companies.”

| 07 Doing business in South Korea

Magnet and motor Active support from the government is key for all business development. That is evident in the Netherlands, where the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden has clearly benefited from a steadfast government strategy, but it can also be seen in South Korea. At the same time, you need strong market parties that understand the usefulness and necessity of building a hub, says Molenkamp. “With their knowledge, and in particular, their business cases, the big players are both a magnet and a power booster.” An example in South Korea is the company K-Water, with which the Water Alliance has maintained warm contacts for the past several years. K-Water is Korea’s largest organization in the water purification industry and, among others, a very strong contender in the Hydropower industry—in South Korea, but also in various other countries. People understand that knowledge and entrepreneurship are essential for development. Molenkamp was therefore asked to explain once more the structure by which Dutch water technology start- ups receive assistance in their growth via the WaterCampus. According to Molenkamp, “K-Water is very interested in expanding its relationship with the Water Alliance and the WaterCampus. That became evident when the CEO of K-Water, Mr Lee, devoted considerable time in a separate meeting to talk with our delegation about a collaboration. We even received a brief tour of the impressive control rooms from which all K-Water facilities in South Korea are monitored and managed.”

‘Active support from the government is key for all business development’

08 | Doing business in South Korea

Daegu South Are you as city of Korea and interested knowledge the Dutch in doing

Daegu is located approximately 230 South Korea has a special historical business kilometres, as the crow flies, south-east connection to the Netherlands, which in South of Seoul, and it is the capital of South dates back to the seventeenth century, Chungcheong Province. With 2.5 million when the Dutch East India Company Korea? residents, it is South Korea’s fourth-largest plied a lucrative trade in virtually all Would you like to learn more about city. The city has four universities and corners of Asia. Of course, that was not business opportunities in South Korea? physical construction of the Korean Water always without hitches. On the way to Or do you have concrete plans for doing Cluster began here in 2017. In addition Japan a certain Hendrik Hamel suffered business in South Korea? During the to a modern water campus, there are also a shipwreck near South Korea and was European Water Tech Week (EWTW) plans to build extensive testing facilities captured and held there. He escaped 14 2018, from 24 to 27 September, a Korean for new technologies concerning surface years later and went on to write a book Water Cluster delegation will be present water treatment, district and household telling of his life story and his, by then, in Leeuwarden and would welcome the wastewater, and industrial processes. warm ties to South Korea. That book opportunity to speak with you. There is also considerable emphasis on introduced Korea to the western world, a range of new developments related and the South Koreans still honour him For more information contact Hein to robotization, and sensor and ICT for that, even erecting a statue in his Molenkamp of the Water Alliance. E-mail: applications. image. Every Korean knows of him, like [email protected] There are now commitments from their newest Dutch idol, Guus Hiddink. 20 Korean businesses that want to wateralliance.nl set up shop at the new complex and space is available for 60 more water- related businesses. The complex is being financed largely by the Korean government. It is expected to be completed in 2019.

| 09 Interview Wilma Mansveld, former state secretary

‘If anyone anywhere in the world wants something to do with water, they need to call us’

Wilma Mansveld’s motto: Focus

10 | Interview Wilma Mansveld, former state secretary

Did you have any Wilma Mansveld took over the chair-person’s a sounding board, offer a hesitations when gavel of the Supervisory Board of the Water network, have a lobbyist in the Water Alliance Alliance in February last year. This former The Hague, and take part approached you about state secretary for infrastructure and in trade missions. We are the chairperson’s environment, Provincial Executive member the cement between the position? After all, as on economic affairs in Groningen, and acting bricks and bring the players director of the Groningen mayor of Tytsjerksteradiel feels at home in the together.” Safety Region you already position. She admires the passion in the water have a busy job. technology industry. That will be crucial, she Are we on “Not at all, because I says, to solve the many water problems in the the right track? am very impressed by world. Like applying focus. “Yes. When it comes to everything going on in water technology, I notice Leeuwarden. I was already that the world increasingly well acquainted with The Netherlands is just a We want to create a similar understands that it is Wetsus from my time on pinprick on the global map, wave here too, a movement happening here. Just look the Provincial Executive. a kind of city-nation, with you want to be part of. at the many foreign visits As state secretary, I visited Leeuwarden as a suburb of That is why it is wonderful to Leeuwarden. People are the Antonius Hospital in Amsterdam. But our water to see more and more impressed, for example, by Sneek. There I saw the technology innovation international students the way we link together demo site and the water ecosystem in Leeuwarden coming to Leeuwarden and businesses, government, filtering system, and it is simply top of the bill. It is doing their doctoral work and knowledge institutes. once again became clear to also important to me that here. It would be great if To us, that may seem me how important clean we be the centre when it the garage atmosphere normal, but that is not the water is. There is more comes to water technology. remained, and others case elsewhere in the world. and more junk in drinking Focus! Leeuwarden is joined, The Water Alliance The triple helix, golden water that you can’t see, water. That is the message is very important in triangle, or whatever we like the antibiotics in I tell everyone, everywhere achieving that.” call this collaboration; hospitals which we don’t I go. If anyone anywhere in nowhere else does it work want to become immune the world wants something Because a garage as well as it does here, to. In addition, millions to do with water, they need discovery has to be with us. That is key in the of people in the world are to call us.” marketed. water technology world. on the move because of a “Absolutely. That is I am a fan of ‘poldering’ shortage or, in some cases, What stands out to you stressful. From idea to [the Dutch practice of an excess of water in the in the water capital of the product is a long road. First conducting extensive places where they lived. world? you need a lot of ideas. talks aimed at consensual So water technology is “The passion. That is Then you need to further decision-making]. That is tremendously important, crucial for innovation. Take develop those ideas. To do another reason why the and I hope to play a role in ‘Concentrating Milk’, an that, testing environments Water Alliance is a good fit that. Another reason for invention that separates and knowledge institutes for me.” immediately saying ‘yes’ is water from milk on the are important. The Water because the ambitions of farm. That means less Alliance helps with the Does the Leeuwarden the Water Alliance are so energy is used, reduced marketing; is there a success story deserve well aligned with my own.” transport costs, and lower market, and how can you more air time? CO2 emissions. Brilliant! enter it? It is also positive “I believe so, but it is also a What is your ambition? It often starts with a good that an economics expert function of our character. “Achieving focus. Friesland idea from a lone individual. like Siem Jansen, Director In Silicon Valley the is water, the Netherlands The art is to find those of the Investment and pioneers were much more is small. So Friesland clever minds, and get them Development Agency for brazen. Americans learn needs to belong to all together. Compare it to the Northern Netherlands, how to project an image of of the Netherlands. The California, where large is a board member. The success in kindergarten. Randstad [the Netherlands’ organizations like Apple Water Alliance needs to They are eager for their most densely populated started out in garages and give clever minds a push turn to do a presentation. area] sees that differently. Silicon Valley was born. in the right direction, be It is in their genes. We are

| 11 Interview Wilma Mansveld, former state secretary

‘we are extremely aware of the power of water and our own vulnerability’

more restrained and still have some but it seems to be taken for granted to have everything themselves. Start growing to do when it comes to sometimes, and we forget to stop and concentrating! If you see someone expressing ambition.” consider just how important water is. working on something good, don’t Look at what happens if a pipe bursts copy it. Go and help them. That We do put ‘Capital of Water and cuts off the water in part of a way universities in, for example, Technology’ on the welcome signs city. I experienced that myself in my Delft, Eindhoven, and Wageningen in Leeuwarden. own neighbourhood in Groningen. could specialize in other fields. The “And rightly so.” The supermarket was a nightmare; government, particularly national everyone wanted to get bottled water. political leaders, also needs to get Is Friesland, thus the Netherlands, Water is a big issue in many parts of on board and, for example, remove aware of its international position the world. More than seven billion regulatory roadblocks. That way, as a front-runner in the field of people need access to clean drinking the exclusivity of the knowledge in water technology? water every day. Moreover, we are Friesland needs to get more respect “Yes and no. Because of what we have headed towards climate extremes, from The Hague. Friesland is water. gone through in the Netherlands, the with droughts and floods. Those Period.” flood catastrophe of 1953 for example, clever minds in the field of water we are extremely aware of the power technology can help come up with Ultimately, it is also about of water and our own vulnerability. solutions for that.” recognition. If we do not keep the pumps running “That is a good way of putting it. We all day, our feet get wet. That has led, And focus is the key? can proclaim ourselves the centre of among other things, to our famed “Exactly. My dream for the future is the water technology field, but others Delta Works. A high wall that holds for all the Dutch universities to bring also have to recognize you as such. I water back? We don’t think that way their knowledge to Leeuwarden, just think it is a shame that so much anymore. We put sports fields in low- so the WaterCampus becomes the time is wasted on discussions about lying areas on purpose, so when there water university of our country where things should and should not is flooding, the water can go there. We and the first point of contact for be. Enough ego tripping already!” use many techniques to try to control the world when it comes to water water, and we are very good at it, technology. Universities now want

12 | Benten collaboration with Poland

Eight talented international professionals visited the Eight international WaterCampus on Monday, 12 March. They were top talents visit the treated to a guided tour and a presentation by Hein WaterCampus Molenkamp, Director of The selected eight participants came climate change, as well as salinization. the Water Alliance. They from Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Ethiopia, Marlus Oliveira (28), who is active for the were also introduced to India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Vietnam Brazilian government in the clean-up of several water technology and were nominated by their embassies. the polluted Guanabara Bay, near Rio de companies: Dutch Water The young visitors were impressed by Janeiro, also wanted to know more about Partners (DWP), Berghof the facilities and synergy they found at the newest technologies in wastewater Membranes, and Afmitech the WaterCampus. Considering their treatment. “We can learn so much from Friesland. The visit was special interests, there was more than the Dutch”, said Oliveira. “Not only in part of the ‘Dutch Visitors enough for them to see and do. “I am regard to technology, but also when it Programme’, a ten-day interested in the newest technologies in comes to efficiency and cost control in trip to the Netherlands wastewater treatment. I was able to learn wastewater treatment.” organized on an annual a lot about that today”, said Mahardiani basis by the Netherlands Kusumaningrum (32), an environmental Enterprise Agency, on analyst from Jakarta, Indonesia. Pham Pictured: The eight high potentials together with behalf of the Dutch Ministry Huang Trung (34) from Vietnam was Dutch business leaders. In the back row on the right of Foreign Affairs. mainly interested in learning more about is project staff Jesse Offringa of the Water Alliance, how the Netherlands is dealing with who accompanied the visit. Photo: Nico Pakvis.

| 13 Focus Innofest

Businesses use festivals as a launching pad to the market A festival presents challenges, the past years. Businessman not least, in regard to food, Jan Melein, for example, logistics, energy, trash, and of tested his Hydrowashr in the Innofest: course water as well. “Festival staff areas of the Welcome visitors do what everyone to the Village festival in 2016. Living lab and does: they move, eat, sleep, His innovation represents an and they need water. There advanced technology which are numerous ways you can both cleans and dries hands incubator for provide for those needs as after toilet visits energy- sustainably as possible, and efficiently and with low water enterprise in doing so, you reduce the consumption. Taking part footprint of festival-goers”, in the festival did not lead Innofest took home the European Enterprise says Innofest director Anna directly to new business, but Promotion Award in Tallinn, Estonia, in late van Nunen. The ultimate it did provide a good network 2017. For those who missed it: Innofest is a goal is of course to be able to and new knowledge. “I notice foundation, supported by eight festivals in make that footprint smaller that the festival industry is the northern Netherlands. Innofest sees these in society too, she points not an easy one. There tends festivals as temporary mini-societies where out. “A festival has one very to be little or no budget for solutions are devised for challenges that not big advantage as a living this kind of innovation”, says only festivals face, but also society as a whole. laboratory, where you can Melein. “But to me Innofest Many innovations have been tested over the past test solutions: there is a fence is still a great initiative, years at, for example, the Welcome to the Village around it. That means you and with the network you festival (near Leeuwarden) and Oerol (a festival can control everything, and build up you can exchange on the Dutch barrier island of Terschelling). so you can make everything knowledge. For example, I These have included innovations from water measurable.” now have good contact with technology businesses. So, festivals as a ‘living Verno, a company that rents lab’ for innovative product development. But, Knowledge exchange equipment for festivals, how does business development fit in? Does a There has been extensive among other things. These partnership with Innofest open new doors for experimentation by exchanges help filter out the the entrepreneurs involved? We visited some businesses In the water naivety that you often have previous participants to find out. industry at Innofest events in in your plans as a start-up.

14 | Focus Innofest

Of course, developments European Space Agency. The hygiene, more efficient water “A single person uses about continue too. We have output is recyclable water and use, and because the compost 135 litres of water per day in launched a new version of our plant nutrients in the form of we make can be used locally a home situation”, Roemer product on the market, and fertilizer, explains CEO Peter for food production.” Goossensen explains. “At a are in dialogue with defence Scheer. His invention So, festivals are doing a good festival that is considerably about supplying it.” was tested early this year at job of proving themselves less. We treat that the Eurosonic Noorderslag as living labs, for testing concentrated sanitary water festival, and Sheer looks innovations that might on the spot, so it can simply back on the experience eventually make society be discharged back into with satisfaction. “During cleaner. On the other hand, surface waters. On Vlieland the festival we were able there are also companies that that worked extremely well, to conclude that our toilet do not utilize the festivals though we still have some units work. Moreover, I had as much as a metaphor for analysis to do on the data. The the opportunity to pitch a society, but instead are reactions of the festival-goers to a room full of festival interested in them for the were positive in any case.” organizers, which garnered typical festival characteristics. For Afmitech, a festival is not many concrete inquiries Water technology company only a laboratory but also Hydrowashr’s Jan Melein and invitations. One thing Afmitech (headquartered a showcase, as Goossensen Disaster areas often leads to another. Also in Joure), a specialist in sees it. “We know what we The company SEMiLLA as a result of Innofest, I am wastewater technologies, is can do, but the festival also Sanitation Hubs also involved in a trade mission one of those businesses. They provides a platform. If we partnered with Innofest. to New York. A number of supply mobile installations can demonstrate that we They developed a sanitary political leaders are coming for biological wastewater can purify the very highly unit where people in disaster along, and they managed to purification. In May at the concentrated wastewater at a areas, developing countries, get us an opportunity to pitch Here Comes the Summer festival in a sustainable way, and refugee camps can use the at the United Nations (UN). festival on the Dutch barrier then potential customers can toilet and wash their hands. That, of course, brings us very island of Vlieland, they start to guess what we can Wastewater streams from the close to our core business: life demonstrated what their do for the travel industry, sanitary facilities are treated in disaster areas, as well as installation can do at a recreation, and in fact any directly in the unit, utilizing making developing regions festival, where wastewater is situation where you don’t have space technologies from the more liveable, through better typically highly concentrated. deep sewage close to hand.”

The festivals are not limited to Dutch innovations, but are also open to foreign companies. ‘We treat So, are you an entrepreneur? And curious about what festivals or other concentrated Water Alliance cooperative partnerships could do for your business? sanitary water Get in touch with Jesse Offringa. E: [email protected] on the spot’ An Afmitech mobile installation for biological wastewater purification at a festival

| 15 Focus European Water Tech Week Connecting Global Water Tech Hubs

The first ever European Water Tech Week (EWTW 2018) Multiple Hubs in One Place is set to take place in Leeuwarden from 24 to 27 September. The event will bring together leaders in innovation, technology, and policy During EWTW 2018, the city of Leeuwarden and all the from businesses, universities, and public WaterCampus Leeuwarden partners will go all out to authorities in the water technology organize events at WaterCampus Leeuwarden, City Theatre sector. Many international guests and De Harmonie, and the WTC Leeuwarden. The programme relations of Water Alliance will also be in attendance. Alongside the EWTW events, is brimming with activities. The Wetsus Conference with a water-centred cultural program will be ‘Excellence in Multi-Disciplinary’ as its central theme and organized by the European Capital of uniting various water hubs from all over the world form Culture 2018, Leeuwarden-Fryslân. the building blocks for the event. The following features will Several alliances have been forged around the world to stimulate innovation sound familiar to followers of Water Alliance: WaterLink, the in the water sector. Places where WIS Award, and WaterMatch. government, the business community, and knowledge institutions come together are called hubs. Leeuwarden

16 | Focus European Water Tech Week European Water Tech Week Leeuwarden 2018

is one such hub. With the presence of floor, these topics will be further explored and steaming test rigs in the Wetsus and parties such as PUB from Singapore, and opportunities for innovation and Waterapplicatiecentrum laboratories. the Water Council from America, and business will be discussed. Visitors also have an opportunity to meet WaterTap from Canada, EWTW 2018 the people behind the startup companies will bring together multiple hubs in one Grand Opening at the WaterCampus Business Center place. The central question at the event EWTW 2018 will kick off in a spectacular Johannes de Doper. One thing is clear, is how multidisciplinary cooperation can fashion on Saturday 22 September everybody who experiences the opening contribute to solutions for global water with the WaterCampus Experience day will leave with a different take on problems. Topics such as water scarcity, Day. A day on which young and old are water. water pollution, and water & health will be welcome to visit the WaterCampus. The discussed. The water sector’s contribution Experience day is made possible in part to the circular economy is another subject by Waterconnecting, the Leeuwarden- to be addressed. Keynote speakers from Fryslân 2018 water program. Fact and around the world will share their visions fiction go hand in hand on this festive on these topics from the perspective opening day. One moment, visitors find of science, business, and politics. In themselves in the middle of a sketch or interactive sessions and on the exhibition performance, the next amid bubbling

| 17 Focus European Water Tech Week

Connecting Global Water Tech Hubs European Water Tech Week Leeuwarden 2018

Monday Conference will have multiple speakers technologies are discussed for each topic On Monday 24 September, and a large number of sessions on and meetings are held with the people Leeuwarden’s Mayor Ferd Crone will various topics. The emphasis of the behind the technology. officially open the event at CityT heatre second day of the conference lies, as De Harmonie, after which, the first day of usual, on science, but other topics will WaterMatch the Wetsus Conference will commence. be discussed. On day 3 there will be Besides the main programme, there will Scientific Director of Wetsus Professor more room for business and other topics. also be activities organized related to Cees Buisman will open the theoretical Notable keynote speakers are Prince the EWTW. For example, Water Alliance part of the EWTW. Dutch State Secretary Constantijn of the Netherlands and and the Enterprise Europe Network are for Economic Affairs and Climate Mona Professor Kaijun Wang. jointly organizing WaterMatch. A network Keijzer, water engineer James L. Bernard, platform for companies, universities Dr, Philip Wilfert, and Mr Ed Nijpels WIS Award and government institutions. Wetskills will also speak. In the afternoon, the The Water Alliance Innovation Stimulation will also be organizing a challenge. focus will shift to connecting the various Award (WIS Award) award ceremony will Since 2010, Wetskills organizes various hubs. Initially by keynote speaker Sally also be held during the EWTW. Five years challenges every year, with BA, MA, and Gutierrez, director of environmental ago, Water Alliance launched this prize to PhD students and young professionals technology innovation cluster support companies with innovative water participating from all over the world. development and support programme technologies. Ten Dutch candidates will The big connecting factor? A passion for EPA R&D office. Later in the afternoon, pitch their ideas on the opening day. water! The participants form teams and leaders of various hubs, including Dean Based on an audience vote, five finalists each team aims to devise and present Amhaus, Yossi Jacoby, Kenneth Tan, will remain; two days later, they will innovative solutions to one or more and Peter Gallant will shed light on the present their technologies once again. challenges in the global water sector. The characteristics of the various hubs. All with A jury made up of industry experts will case-studies in question are offered by the purpose of laying the foundations for choose the final winner who will go home companies and organizations in the field further collaboration. with a prize of €10,000 for marketing and who also remain involved as case-study promotional purposes. owners. Tuesday, Wednesday On Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 Water-tours For more information on EWTW, the September, companies and organizations On the last day of the EWTW, tours along complete programme, and how to from the water sector will present companies and sites are offered. Four register, please visit: themselves at the WTC Leeuwarden. For different tours, four different topics. The watercampus.nl/ewtw2018 two days, the floor will be fully available tours are aimed at: Resource recovery, for exhibitor stands and curious visitors. Water & Agro/Food, Water & Energy and The 2nd and 3rd day of the Wetsus Water & Health. During the tours, relevant

‘the focus will shift to connecting the various hubs’

18 | EUROPEAN WATER TECH WEEK CONNECTING GLOBAL WATER TECH HUBS JOIN US IN LEEUWARDEN, THE NETHERLANDS 24 – 27 SEPTEMBER 2018

Scientific Congress Business Symposium Exhibition Area

Experience tour

International network: business, science, governments

DON’T MISS IT ! REGISTER NOW WWW.WATERCAMPUS.EU/EWTW

| 19 infographic The Water Technology Innovation Chain

the Water Technology Innovation Chain The WaterCampus brings together a complete chain of innovation for water technology, from first idea, research, specialized laboratories, various demo-sites, launching customers to commercial international applications by commercial companies. Indeed from knowledge to business. It is driven by the idea that technological development and innovation is needed to develop new markets and create new business opportunities.

20 | infographic The Water Technology Innovation Chain

| 21 Focus Corina Carpentier

EIP themes There are EIPs on different themes, such as Active and Healthy Ageing, Smart Cities and Communities, Raw Materials, Agricultural Sustainability and Productivity, and Water. The EIP takes a bottom-up approach; those involved can organize themselves Corina Carpentier of into an operational group (the action ccBenten Water Solutions group) to address a concrete issue from was the only person to a practical perspective. The RTWQM step up when asked who action group falls under the EIP theme wanted to follow Sergio Water and deals with developments and de Campos of Adasa as solutions in water monitoring strategies coordinator of the Real and techniques. The action group has 25 Time Water Quality partners, a subset of which are actively Monitoring (RTWQM) involved. EIP action group. So the discussion about his Practical applications succession did not take of new techniques long. “At Benten we have Carpentier is director of Benten Water been part of this action Solutions, which is located on the group for quite a while WaterCampus in Leeuwarden. Benten now”, says Carpentier, is an independent consultancy and “and the topics it deals research firm active in water quality, with are very much water quality monitoring, and sensoring. aligned with what we do It would be hard to find a better fit with at Benten, so becoming the objectives of the RTWQM action coordinator seemed a group. According to Carpentier, “I good and almost logical took over the chairperson’s baton from next step.” Sergio de Campos in January. We are currently at the stage where we want EIP stands for European Innovation to hammer out a clear agenda for the Partnerships. An initiative of the coming period. Practical application European Union, pursuing three of the techniques that are emerging is primary objectives: an important spearhead. Terrific and • contributing to solving reliable techniques are now being societal challenges thought up at an extremely rapid pace, • enhancing Europe’s but in reality, it is sometimes hard to get competitiveness in relation the techniques to the right people. We to other regions of are currently looking at the available the world opportunities, for example digital, to • stimulating economic better connect developers and end- growth in Europe users.

Corina Carpentier

22 | Highlight Bluecon

On the road with WaterProof Happy Fish Journey: From Spain to the Netherlands by bicycle

Let us introduce: Rik Bomer, Rik is currently on his way to France mountains and plains, through cities bachelor of science graduate via Spain. In short, the Happy Fish and villages, and specifically along from the Van Hall Larenstein Journey has begun. On the way rivers and lakes. On the way he will University of Applied Sciences at he will be doing participatory be talking to water technologists, the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden. investigative journalism for fish migration specialists, and In April, Rik started as a special field WaterProof. Take countries like of course, farmers, community reporter for WaterProof Magazine Spain, France, England, Belgium, members, and outdoor folks. Via and WaterProof TV-Water Alliance’s and the Netherlands. What is the video and in articles and photos, YouTube channel. Why? Because status of their water quality? And, Rik will be reporting for WaterProof Rik will be traveling straight across what is being done to make the Magazine and WaterProof TV. Europe for five months, seeking an lives of fish—an important link in Check out our website: answer to an important question: the ecosystem—a little bit easier? How happy are fish in Europe? Rik Bomer will travel north over www.wateralliance.nl

bluecon.nl

Rik Bomer

| 23 international Press Trip

On 7 March, a group of Brazilian journalists “I am visited the WaterCampus Leeuwarden as part of an international press trip. After a travelling presentation by Water Alliance director Hein Molenkamp and a guided tour of Wetsus, home with an the visitors had meetings with a variety of businesses. The Brazilian guests’ reactions exclamation were glowing. In particular, the intensive cooperation between education, government, and point above businesses was much praised. “I saw what cooperation can my head” lead to; more innovations reach development and more Brazilian journalists impressed market opportunities are by WaterCampus Leeuwarden cashed in on.”

24 | international Press Trip

‘we have seen where far-reaching cooperation between government, education, and businesses can lead.’

The press trip was organized by the production locations, including in China, me throughout all of the presentations. I Netherlands Enterprise Agency, in India, and Brazil. see it as a lesson in how we should tackle partnership with the Brazilian embassy The journalists -notably all women- issues in our country. “I am travelling and the Water Alliance. It dovetailed were very positive about what they had back to Brazil with a big exclamation the World Water Forum Brasilia, which been shown and told. “What we have point above my head.” was held from 18 to 23 March. A variety seen here is impressive”, said freelance What the press trip will produce in of companies affiliated with the Water journalist Andrea Vialli. “Especially for terms of publicity is impossible to say Alliance had the opportunity to give us Brazilians. Don’t forget, we have as of yet. There are no guarantees for a short presentation. “For us a trip like only really been active in policy-driven publications, but the chances are good, this is an ideal chance to spotlight our water management for 13 years or so. says Marloes de Goeijen, active in the company”, says Vincent van Vuure, Here, there is a lot more progress in Incoming Visitors’ Programmes for the Head of Marketing & PR at Paques. “In this industry. And we have seen where Netherlands Enterprise Agency. “They Brazil, water management and water far-reaching cooperation between usually produce a good yield”, says De technology are still in their infancy government, education, and businesses Goeijen. “I have yet to see a press trip and a broader audience need to be can lead.” generate no publications at all. And in informed. A press trip like this one can “Another thing that stood out was the the end that benefits Dutch businesses help achieve this.” Paques has years project-based approach in all of the and industry.” of experience under its belt, and has activities. Tight schedules, good budget now matured from a small pioneer in control, and clearly set priorities; those Balk to a multinational with numerous are key things that struck a chord with

| 25 Members of the Water Alliance

CENTRI TECH SEPARATIONS TWENTE

26 | Members of the Water Alliance

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