Berghof Membrane Technology GmbH and Denmark’s Aquaporin A/S have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to commercialize tubular forward osmosis membrane technology.
The JDA initiates commercial efforts, where both companies will leverage their respective expertise in forward osmosis (FO) and tubular membrane technologies to launch products targeted for high-strength industrial wastewater and food and beverage process streams.
This is the next stage in a previously announced cooperation between Berghof Membranes and Aquaporin Asia to develop breakthrough membrane technologies. While further details are yet to be released about the dually-branded tubular FO membrane line, both companies are committed to bringing products to market in 2018.
“We are eager to introduce our innovative FO tubular membrane modules into the market,” said Eric Wildeboer, CEO of Berghof Membrane Technology. “Developing innovative filtration solutions to minimize energy consumption, maximize water reuse and recover valuable resources is the core of Berghof Membranes. This new agreement fits perfectly in-line with our company’s mission to create a cleaner environment and provide the best solutions for sustainable industrial growth.”
“We are excited to be taking the next step in commercializing the world’s first tubular FO membrane modules,” said Peter Holme Jensen, CEO of Aquaporin A/S. “These modules will extend the Aquaporin Inside® FO technology platform and open new opportunities in treating challenging process and wastewater streams.”
Aquaporin Asia and Berghof Membranes have been working together under a three-year research and development project (1301-IRIS-02), funded by Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) with a grant of S$2.5 million under its Environment & Water Research Programme and administered by PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency.