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Engineer by vocation, with experience in renewable energies, space structures and now in wastewater treatment, particularly in advanced digital control solutions with artificial intelligence. I like to keep up to date with new technologies and keep learning new things.

Digital Solutions Sales Technician, CIMICO

Director International Sales Chromafora, Chromaforma

Dr.-Ing. Markus Busch is an expert in Environmental Engineering with a focus on water, microbiology, and separation technologies. With over 25 years of industry experience in global technical leadership, he has worked in Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. Since 2022, he has served as Global Technology Manager at Lanxess Material Protection Products in Germany. Previously, he was Application Leader for Industrial Preservation at Dupont & IFF Microbial Control.
25+ years industry leadership in water technology  - Industrial microbial control:         water, paper, O&G, anti-fouling, preservation  - RO, NF, UF membranes, ion exchange  - Germany, Spain & Switzerland  - LANXESS (previously Dow, Dupont, IFF)  - Technical, regulatory, projects, organizations
Doctorate, "integrated UF/RO system development" Wroclaw University of Science & Technology
Master (Dipl.-Ing.), "anti-scalant evaluation" Technical University Berlin and Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Global Technology Manager, Lanxess

Founder & CEO, Orb

Diego Bleeckx, an engineer in chemistry & bioprocesses, is a specialist in industrial wastewater treatment. At Waterleau, he has designed advanced wastewater treatment plants across multiple continents and managed international projects. As Growth Leader for PFAS removal, Diego focuses on innovative solutions to eliminate "forever chemicals" from industrial water streams. His expertise and global perspective make him a passionate advocate for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship​.

Growth Leader – PFAS Removal, Waterleau

Mirvahid is a PhD researcher at the University of Twente and Wetsus. His research combines numerical and experimental methods to develop innovative designs for reducing friction in pipelines and to study the underlying mechanisms of surface-water interactions. Collaborating with industry leaders like Vitens and Wavin, he focuses on creating biomimetic designs, such as riblets, and predictive models to enhance energy efficiency in water distribution and hydraulic systems.

PhD Researcher, Wetsus

Hamed is a industrial water expert with over 8 years of experience in process and R&D engineering in the field of water and wastewater treatment. He holds an EngD in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering and has led numerous projects focused on (waste)water treatment, resource recovery/reuse, and sustainable brine/concentrate management. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Hamed promotes holistic approaches to address water challenges, considering entire life cycles and natural system.

Industrial Water Expert, Royal HaskoningDHV

Policy Advisor Climate Adaptation & Water International , Ministry Infrastructure Water Management

Policy Officer –Embassy of the Netherlands in Mexico

Hydrologic

cientific Technical Lead & Flood Modeler,  RSS-Hydro

Mr Wilbert Menkveld has a BSc. degree in Chemical engineering from Saxion University, Enschede and a MSc. degree in Environmental Technology and Urban Environmental Management from Wageningen University & Research Center in the Netherlands. He has more than 27 years of experience in design, engineering and optimisation of water and biomass plants for many different markets.
He worked from 2002 until 2013 as senior industrial wastewater expert and manager industrial water treatment at Witteveen+Bos Consulting Engineers in the Netherlands. In 2013 he started as Director Innovation & Technology at Nijhuis SAUR Industries in the Netherlands. Since 2023 he is Chief Technology Officer for SAUR and it’s industrial division Nijhuis Saur industries. He is as CTO responsible for Innovation strategy, development of new technologies/solutions, market introduction and technology selection for water and resource projects.

CTO Saur / Nijhuis Saur Industries

Dutch Water Board De Dommel

Birte Raes, a chemical engineer passionate about sustainability, has spent the past five years at Aquafin, the Flemish wastewater company, driving innovation in water quality, micropollutants, and reuse through local and European R&D projects. Straddling both science and fieldwork, she bridges cutting-edge research with real-world application. Committed to a holistic approach, she advocates for clean water and environmental protection through integrated, forward-thinking solutions.

Researcher, Aquafin

Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer, Aqua Positive

Vanessa has a degree in European studies, specialized in business and communication, a master’s degree in international commerce and an MBA. At Isle Vanessa works as principal consultant in Isle´s European office, she is based in Spain. Vanessa has a broad experience in delivering new technologies for pipeline condition assessment and leak detection to utility clients around the globe.    
She has a broad experience in managing R&D projects for new technologies focusing on the client´s needs and expectations and the market up-take of these technologies. She furthermore has extensive experience in project management with clients in Europe, South America and the Middle East. Through her active participation, she has been able to establish a robust network of connections and gain a comprehensive insight into the requirements and obstacles encountered by utilities throughout the world, along with the emerging technologies that align with various demands.

Principal Consultant, Isle Utilities

Michael Baird - President & Owner, Aquamor, LLC
Michael Baird is a recognized leader in the water filtration and treatment industry, currently serving as President and Owner of Aquamor, LLC. With a career spanning decades, Michael has been at the forefront of innovation in water purification, holding over 20 patents in the space. His expertise has positioned Aquamor as a premier manufacturer of high-quality water filtration products, proudly made in the USA.
Michael's industry influence extends beyond his company. He has been deeply involved with the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Water Research Foundation, playing a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and best practices. In the 1990s, he was involved in the formation of the WQA World Assembly, which helped establish WQA groups in numerous countries, driving international collaboration and industry growth.
Prior to founding Aquamor in 2004, Michael served as Vice President of Sales (water filtration division) at Sta-Rite Industries, where he successfully worked to build a water treatment business unit through acquisition and organic expansion. His entrepreneurial background also includes ownership of EZ2.NET and a partnership at Hydro-Flow Filtration starting in 1987, reinforcing his extensive knowledge of water filtration systems and technologies.
Today, Michael continues to support the advancement of the water filtration industry at both state and national levels, advocating for improved water quality standards, regulatory initiatives, and innovative technologies. His commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability ensures that Aquamor remains a trusted leader in water filtration, serving residential, commercial, and foodservice markets globally.

President, Aquamor

Mae provides strategic environmental and infrastructure policy expertise to a diverse range of corporate, municipal, and nonprofit clients. Prior to becoming a contract lobbyist, Stevens worked on Capitol Hill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Throughout this seven-year tenure, she focused most of her time on the intersection of water, equity, and affordability, and generally how to make cities and towns even better for the people who live and work there. 
Most recently, she served as Environmental Policy Advisor to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), handling the Senator’s responsibilities as a senior member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, including staffing the Senator during the crafting and passage of the FAST Act and the 2016 and 2018 Water Resources Development Act bills – the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) respectively. The WIIN Act served as the congressional response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and created new grant programs for water infrastructure. Following WIIN in 2016, the passage of AWIA in 2018 marked the most significant revision to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in over two decades.

Chair of Water Practice, Banner Public Affairs

Professional with extensive international experience in the water treatment industry, with knowledge on the use of specialty chemicals as well as monitoring and control instrumentation.
Diana began her career working in the United Kingdom in the specialty chemicals industry for industrial water treatment systems, reverse osmosis and Geothermal applications, where her passion for preserving the integrity of water treatment facilities under challenging operating conditions emerged.
This experience fueled her interest towards the use of monitoring and control technologies for KPI´s in water treatment systems. Working now for Pyxis Lab. North American engineering company focused on the development of online monitoring instrumentation, she continues to contribute to optimizing processes, preserving facilities and sharing innovative solutions to service companies and water doctors, whom she has been supporting from the start.

Vice-President Commercial - EMEA & LATAM

Sales manager, Danfoss

Program Manager Infra 2025 (Vitens)

Xylem VUE

AI Solutions Director  (Sand Technologies)

Round Table 7, CEO, Valuing Blue B.V.

Boom Chicago is an international creative group based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that writes and performs sketch and improvisational comedy at their theater on the Rozengracht.
The group performs their own shows and hosts outside productions at their theater on the Rozengracht. The venue with three theaters also houses Boom Chicago for Business, and the Boom Chicago Academy and InterActing, their program for teenagers with autism.
Shows performed at Boom Chicago examine a range of subjects including privacy, the role of technology, Europe, the extreme right, Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, 9/11, social media, the gig economy, AI and the Metaverse.
Comedy Central News (CCN), a news show on the Dutch Comedy Central TV channel, was created by Boom Chicago

The world-class improvisers

More than 20 years of experience as Sales Manager and Project Manager in the field of Marketing and Communication, leading and coordinating teams in sectors as diverse as the publishing world, specialized consultancy in the health sector and pharmaceutical industry, and media for professionals or general media. Also experience with customers and suppliers in areas of purchasing and customer service and in sectors such as large food and distribution chains, logistics multinationals, and online portals in the automotive sector or vehicle maintenance managers serving large leasing fleets.

Head of Sales Municipal Wastewater, CIMICO

Nebojša Ilić is a chemical engineer deeply committed to environmental protection and sustainability. He specializes in advanced water treatment, with a focus on functional nanomaterials and hybrid treatment processes. Nebojša holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Belgrade, Serbia.  His academic journey included research stays in Germany and Thailand, where he explored diverse topics such as developing novel nanomaterials for methanol sensing, UV-blocking, and targeted cancer therapy. Nebojša's Ph.D. research at the Technical University of Munich focused on developing novel nanomaterials for removal of PFAS from water and providing insights into the fundamental forces governing the adsorption process. Furthermore, he investigated ultrasonic cavitation as a potential method for destroying concentrated PFAS streams and conducted preliminary environmental impact assessments of different PFAS treatment train strategies. Before co-founding SUIKI,  Nebojša honed his entrepreneurial skills in a well-known battery recycling startup, conceptualizing and testing various water treatment solutions for lithium carbonate purification and production. Currently, Nebojša is spearheading technology development and co-founding SUIKI, an internal startup within TDK. SUIKI is driven by a mission to rapidly develop and deploy innovative solutions for complex water treatment challenges, starting with destruction of PFAS in-situ using electrochemical oxidation. Nebojša's dedication to impactful research is reflected in his publications in prestigious journals like "Chemical Engineering Journal" and "Advanced Materials."  His combined expertise in chemical engineering, process optimization, and early-stage deep tech startups positions SUIKI as a leader in delivering transformative environmental solutions to the market.

Co-Founder, Head of Technology, SUIKI (by TDK)

Autobiography of Oleg Dubov
My name is Oleg Dubov, and I was born on August 11, 1982, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to scientific research and technological development in water treatment, plasma applications, and chemical engineering. My academic background and extensive professional experience have led me to a fulfilling career in both academia and the private sector.
Education and Academic Achievements I hold a PhD in Nanoscience, Materials, and Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Catalonia, Spain. My doctoral research focused on the development of innovative materials and technologies for water treatment, including electrochemical processes and advanced oxidation methods. Prior to that, I earned a Master’s degree in Global Management of Innovation and Technology from Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, where my thesis explored the profitability of recycling small electronic devices for the recovery of critical materials. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Saint Petersburg State University, where I specialized in physical chemistry and membrane methods for water treatment.
Professional Experience Currently, I serve as a co-founder and Chief Technical Officer at FIDCHEM S.L., a company based in Spain that specializes in the application of cold pulsed corona discharge plasma for water treatment. Our primary focus is on the removal of persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and polychlorinated pollutants, as well as disinfection of water. Simultaneously, I work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, where I continue my research on PFAS removal using advanced plasma-based technologies.
Previously, I held the position of Advanced Researcher at Eurecat, the Catalonian Technology Centre. In this role, I was responsible for public and private projects related to chemical and electrochemical advanced oxidation of water contaminants, as well as the development of electrochemical sensors for water impurities.
From 2011 to 2018, I served as the Head of the R&D Department at the BTP Group of Companies, which operates in the field of water and wastewater treatment. During my time there, I led innovative projects focused on advanced oxidation processes, zero liquid discharge technologies, heavy metal removal, and the adaptation of various treatment methods to industrial wastewater challenges. My responsibilities included project management, technical analysis, data modeling, and collaboration with research institutions for joint projects.
My earlier professional experience includes working as a research chemist and research technician at Aquaphor Corporation, one of Russia’s leading producers of household water treatment systems. I contributed to the development of new antiseptic materials and methods for water sterilization, as well as the synthesis of fiber-selective ion exchange materials for heavy metal removal.
Research Interests and Contributions My research interests lie in the field of chemical and electrochemical water treatment, with a particular focus on plasma applications for the removal of persistent organic pollutants. Over the years, I have conducted numerous R&D projects related to membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes, and electrochemical sensing. My work has resulted in several patents, including methods for producing nitrogen-rich carbon nitride coatings, mobile water purification stations, and devices for backwash water treatment.
Throughout my career, I have presented my research at international conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals, and collaborated with industrial partners and academic institutions. I am passionate about bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical industrial applications, especially in the field of water treatment technologies.
Skills and Expertise I possess a broad range of skills, including project management, process optimization, and hands-on laboratory work. My expertise spans various chemical analysis techniques, such as HPLC, gas chromatography, and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as electrochemical methods and surface analysis. I am proficient in programming languages like Python for data analysis and automation and have experience with microcontroller platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
In addition to my technical skills, I am fluent in English and have a strong command of Spanish. My native language is Russian.
Personal Motivation My professional journey has been driven by a deep interest in addressing global environmental challenges, particularly in the realm of water treatment. I am committed to developing sustainable solutions that can help mitigate the impact of industrial pollutants on water resources. My work at FIDCHEM S.L. and my ongoing research at Universitat Rovira i Virgili are testaments to my dedication to this cause.
In conclusion, my career has been shaped by a combination of scientific curiosity, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. I continue to seek new opportunities to advance my knowledge and contribute to innovative solutions in the field of water treatment and environmental sustainability.

Co-founder, CTO, FIDCHEM.SL

Application Technology Manager

Kaustub Singh is a research engineer in the R&D of Royal FrieslandCampina, specializing in membrane driven separation and purification technologies. He earned his PhD from Wageningen University, working on electro-driven water purification and resource recovery. In addition, Kaustub has contributed to the field redox active flow batteries. His work in water desalination and energy storage has appeared in several publications and multiple filed patents. At FrieslandCampina, he continues to advance (electrochemical) membrane separation technologies to support sustainable industrial processes such as side stream handling and valorization.

Research Specialist, R&D, Royal Friesland Campina

Wouter is an environmental engineer with over 12 years of experience in sustainable water technology, resource recovery, and waste stream reuse. He is a results-driven advisor who values technological solutions and human processes. Passionate about making the world a better place, he has worked on phosphorus recycling and set up numerous projects on organic waste valorization. Since 2022, he has worked at LeAF, previously at Arcadis, Nutrient Platform, and REWIN West-Brabant.

Senior Consultant, LeAF

Throughout my career, I have been active for 27 years as a project, process, and maintenance professional. My passion for energy and water management has driven me to develop innovative solutions and implement sustainable practices. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to efficiency, I have successfully completed numerous projects. My expertise and dedication make me a valued professional in the sector.

Capex Manager,  Puratos NV

Senior Sales Consultant, Aquatech Global

Chief Digital Officer,  Veolia Water Technologies

Product manager of Aquasuite OPIR, a virtual operator for drinking water treatment and distribution. Engineer who enjoys pragmatic solutions for complex challenges, especially if it contributes to a better society. I strongly believe that for a true impact on society, cooperation is key. Background: MSc in mechanical engineering.

Product manager drinking water Aquasuite®, Royal HaskoningDHV

With over 15 years of experience in the Oil & Gas and Bioenergy industries, Ignacio Leone is a recognized leader in innovation and sustainable development. He currently serves as Business Development Director at Connex Trading, as well as a Global Ambassador for Singularity University and a co-founding member of the Pan-American Chamber of Advanced Biofuels (CAPBA).
Throughout his career, he has held various strategic roles at Explora, Argentina’s leading producer of second-generation biofuels, including Business Development, Sustainability and Innovation Director, Commercial Director, and General Manager of the Puerto General San Martín Industrial Complex.
Ignacio began his career at YPF S.A., where he gained extensive experience in operations and management, working as a Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Shift Supervisor, Operations Coordinator, and Plant Manager at both the La Plata Refinery and La Plata Petrochemical Complex.
He holds a master in Chemical Engineering (National University of Río Cuarto) and an MBA (National University of La Plata), along with specializations in International Trade (Catholic University of Córdoba), Petroleum Refining and Logistics (National University of the Litoral), and Exponential Technologies (Singularity University, California).
Combining technical expertise with strategic vision, Ignacio Leone is passionate about driving innovative solutions that bridge sustainability and growth in the energy sector.

Business Development Director, Connex B.V. (Connex Trading)

Guillaume Clairet holds a Physics Engineering degree from Laval University, an MBA from the University of San Diego, and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Canada. In his early career, Mr. Clairet worked on projects involving groundwater remediation for the Canadian National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS). Since joining H2O Innovation in 2004, Guillaume has held multiple positions of increasing seniority in project management, sales, innovation & strategic business development. He has served in his current role as Chief Operating Officer of H2O Innovation since 2015 and he remains active in many industry associations (IDRA, WateReuse, WEF and AMTA). Mr. Clairet has previously served for 8 years on the Board of Directors of the International Desalination & Reuse Association (IDRA). He is currently a mentor for the Imagine H2O water start-up accelerator and is also actively involved as a General Partner of the specialized fund investing in water technology companies: Cycle-H2O.

COO, H2O Innovation

Teamleider   Energie & Circulaire Systemen, KWR Water

Myron oversees the implementation of ZwitterCo's growth strategies in North America and around the world, driving partnerships and the commercial adoption of the company's breakthrough zwitterionic membrane technology.Myron's leadership in the water treatment industry began at Osmonics, Inc., a pioneering membrane technology provider that was subsequently acquired by GE Water & Process Technologies, then Suez Water Technologies and Solutions, and eventually Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions.  Myron held increasingly senior positions throughout those corporate transitions, driving international expansion efforts across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and leading key account strategies for some of the largest global industrial clients. His expertise also expanded across core water treatment unit processes and service offerings, including chemical and monitoring solutions, engineered systems, and industrial design-build and financed solutions.  Myron holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and a master's degree in management from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

CCO(Chief Commercial Officer), Zwitterco

Jeroen Van Stappen has obtained his PhD in Geology in 2017 after which he continued in academic research with the focus on geo-chemical changes in the subsurface related to human activity. As of December 2022, Jeroen joined the Flanders Environment Agency as team lead of the inorganic and metal analyses of the laboratory. In 2024, the laboratory invested in the development of a biological section for effect based monitoring via Calux® tests. Since January 2025, Jeroen Van Stappen is the acting head of the laboratory until further notice.

head of laboratory Flanders Environment Agency / Team lead inorganics

Vice President and General Manager, McEwen Copper

Peter Cartwright entered the water/wastewater treatment industry in 1974 and formed his consulting engineering business in 1980. He is a Chemical Engineer and a Registered PE in the state of Minnesota. Peter has authored over 300 articles and presented more that 300 lectures in conferences globally. He also provides expert witness testimony in legal cases. Peter is the recipient of the Award of Merit, Lifetime Member and Hall of Fame Awards from the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Frank Tiller Award from the American Filtration & Separations Society (AFS). He was the 2016 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer for the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation and is currently one of two instructors providing technical training for the WQA Professional Certification program.

President, Cartwright Consulting Co., LLC

Ali graduated with Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Right from school, he joined DuPont De Nemours, Permasep® Products  (RO membrane division).  In 2005, Ali joined GE Corporate as Desalination Sales Leader then in 2006 joined GE Water & Process Technologies. In September 2007, he was appointed as Commercial Development Leader, for Middle East and North Africa providing industrial water purification solutions as  well as water re-use and desalination solutions.  He joined Nanostone in April 2023 and ZwitterCo in June 2024 as Sales executive for MEA.  Ali has many years of water and wastewater including infrastructure investment experience  dealing with large water projects in Algeria, Cameroon, Iraq, Kuwait, and across the MEA  region.

Sales Executive, MEA, ZwitterCo

DuPont

Director at Policontrol, specialized in sales and market development with solid experience in the consumer goods segment. Raphael has a comprehensive career, working at both local and international levels, excelling in communication and negotiation strategies for B2C and B2B markets, as well as in project development and implementation.
Professional Experience:
Director of Sales and Market Development | Policontrol
Leading sales management and market development, focusing on product expansion and consolidation. Developing innovative products both online and in laboratory environments, tailored to market needs. Implementing effective communication and negotiation strategies to maximize results in B2C and B2B markets. Proven ability to adapt to multicultural environments and solve problems quickly under pressure.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Advertising & Marketing | Universidade Paulista Specialization in Applied Statistics | University of Colorado Boulder (2013)
Skills:
Sales Management Market Development Communication and Negotiation Product Development Adaptation to Multicultural Environments Problem-Solving Under Pressure
 Languages:
Portuguese (Native) English (Advanced)

Operations Director, Policontrol

CEO, VWMS GmbH (Coliminder)

Charlotte Stewart,  Strategic Account Executive (Samotics)

CEO (Fluid Analytics)

Tim van Hattum is Head of the Green Climate Solutions Programme at Wageningen University & Research and one of the initiators of The Netherland 2120. He is keynote speaker and author of the book the Only Planet Climate Guide for the 21st century. Tim is an expert in water management, climate adaptation and nature-based solutions with 25 years of experience as consult, policy advisor and researcher.

Head of the Green Climate Solutions Programme. Wageningen University & Research

Amogh Sharma is an MBA graduate in leadership and sustainability from IMD Business School, holding a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in energy and environmental technology. With over 5 years of experience in the Desalination and Wastewater treatment industry spanning across EU, Asia, and Africa, he has held roles in both technical and commercial functions. Since 2023, Amogh has been serving as the Application Marketing Manager at Danfoss High Pressure Pumps, specializing in desalination and water reuse applications including ZLD, Brine Concentration, and DLE extraction.

Application Marketing Manager, Danfoss High Pressure Pumps

CEo & CoFounder, HULO.ai

Jorien has joined Orb as Chief Scientist after obtaining her PhD on biostability and microbial monitoring of drinking water at Ghent University in 2023. She is an expert in online monitoring technologies and focuses on applied research and development of microbial sensors for utilities, industry and reuse applications for Orb.

Chief Scientist, Orb

Liang-Shin Wang is a PhD candidate in Biopolymer from Water Theme at Wetsus and Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research focuses on a renewable semi-crystalline biopolymer, polyhydroxyalkanoates, with the aim of integrating the polymer recovery process with solution processing to membranes and films. Her experience has been on projects related to polymer properties modulation, membrane formulation, and performance analysis.

Pamela Moussa is a PhD researcher in the field of biofilm control and sustainable disinfection methods for drinking water systems. Affiliated with Wetsus and the University of Groningen, her work focuses on identifying natural, sustainable compounds to safely manage microbial contamination in water distribution systems. Her research aims to replace traditional chemical disinfectants, like chlorine, with non-toxic alternatives, understand their mechanism of action, and produce a cost-effective disinfection protocols to be used in contingency situations.

Involved since 2019 in the development of a multiclient industrial water supply and wastewater treatment facility owned by North Water BV in the area of Delfzijl, The Netherlands. From conceptual design of the water utility plant in the early days of the project, through the actual realization, involved in many aspects of the project. Part of the plant is taken into operation and we expect the full plant to be operational in 2025.

Process technologist, North Water

Dr. Perryman received a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis, where his research focused on synthesis and operando characterization of Earth-abundant electrocatalysts. He performed postdoctoral research at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, as well as at the Chemical Engineering department of Stanford University where research efforts were dedicated to developing bipolar membrane electrolyzers for hydrogen production from seawater. He is the CTO of Brineworks, based in Amsterdam, NL.

Chief Technology Officer, Brineworks

Presenter Biographic
Dave Wilson has a BSc in Applied Geology from the University of Birmingham, UK and started his career working with groundwater sampling and monitoring instrumentation. He has spent the last 18 years installing and maintaining sensors in Drinking Water and WasteWater applications and has delivered teaching material on the real world use of monitoring technology in treatment plants around the world. Having helped to integrate and build In-Situs Process monitoring business he is now the Vice President of Global Sales for In-Situ.

Vice President of Global Sales, In Situ

LG Sonic BV

Jan van den Broek, MSc is managing director of NSI Byosis BV. He is co-founder of the company that he started in 2009 after having started his own engineering and project management company in 2006. Byosis became part of Nijhuis Saur Industries in 2022. He holds an degree of the University of Groningen in Chemical Engineering. In his previous life he held several positions in engineering and management and was a.o. plant manager of a large scale powerplant for a company now known as Engie. He is passionate about process technology and sustainable solutions, however learned in practice, while growing his business, that economy is always a bigger driver than sustainability is. The best solution therefore is a solution that is not only a more sustainable one, but also the one that suits a customer’s business purposes. In his presentation he will deep dive into technical and economical criteria for the advanced ammonia recovery technology Byosis has developed.

Co-founder/managing director, Byosis, part of the Nijhuis Saur Industries

Director Desarrollo de Negocio Agua, COX

Paul Buijs holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology. He is active in water since 1990, in roles varying from research to consultancy and from sales to management. Paul has extensive experience in conventional water treatment, including desalination pretreatment and brackish and seawater reverse osmosis systems. From early 2018 to end of 2021, he was Center Liaison Officer for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC)in Saudi Arabia, where he set up industrial scale translational research, working together with both governmental and private stakeholders. In 2022, he founded FirstWater Consultancy FZ-LLC (1st:water), based in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE). 1st:water focusses on innovation acceleration, validation and valorization, water treatment design and optimization, and strategic partnership development.

Founder, 1st:water

Has over a decade of experience scaling water startups and driving adoption of innovative technology into the water industry across the residential, commercial and industrial markets. Joshua has held a number of leadership roles, spearheading the growth of new technology and supporting international brands globally. His expertise spans sales and service, growing from an R and D base, helping him become a key force in delivering sustainable, high-performance water treatment solutions. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of York.

Steve is a strategic leader, entrepreneur, and industry innovator, recently recognised as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the UK (2025) for his contributions to water, energy, and infrastructure. As CEO of RSE, Steve is driving the company’s expansion, while spearheading sustainability and innovation initiatives, including green steel, modular water treatment, and international growth into North America, Europe, and Oceania.
With over 25 years of experience, Steve has built a reputation for turning around businesses, scaling operations, and pioneering digital transformation. His leadership at Galliford Try saw the Water & Environment division grow from £100M to £500M revenue, integrating acquisitions, embedding AI and automation, and achieving record profitability
A Non-Executive Director with British Water and the Scottish Futures Trust, Steve influences policy on procurement, infrastructure investment, and construction innovation. He is also a strategic advisor to OFWAT on the UK’s £56bn RAPID water programme, shaping the future of national water infrastructure.
Steve champions talent development, social value, and sustainability, having doubled apprentice intake in previous roles and driven ESG-led initiatives. With a hands-on approach and a commitment to servant leadership, Steve continues to push the boundaries of engineering, water, and digital transformation.
Follow Steve on LinkedIn for insights into water, sustainability, and infrastructure innovation at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveslessor/

Program Manager Digital Twin Distribution Network (Brabant Water)

Enterprise Product Sales (Bentley)

Matt has over 30 years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry, covering a variety of commercial and leadership roles across global organizations such as Suez, Black & Veatch, Bluewater Bio and Evoqua. At Specific Energy, Matt is responsible for strategy and growth of the business across EMEA and other international markets; through developing and maintaining customer and partner relationships, and demonstrating the advantages Specific Energy can bring to pump system design, operation and asset management programs for operational resilience and energy efficiency.

Vice President, EMEA, Specific Energy

Sales Engineer for customised clean- and waste water solutions with more than 15 years of experience in the industrial and municipal sector.

Sales Engineer, DAS Environmental Expert GmbH

展览总经理 Exhibition Manager, Aquatech China

Connecting our water technology knowledge and experiences to industrial clients is what I do and like to do every day. It contributes to my personal ambition of cocreating a better world and to the ambitions of our clients. It is my ambition to apply the broad expertise and experience of my colleagues and myself to the closing of the industrial water cycle through an integrated water approach or a ‘One Water approach’. Developing  water strategies on corporate and site level will contribute to industries businesses. Making this happen in a growing number of projects, in order to reduce the dependency to water for the industry, is what drives me in my work.

Project Manager Industrial Water / Consultant Water Strategy / Business Developer, Royal HaskoningDHV

(PhD, Materials Science, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany) joined Kurita Europe GmbH in 2017 worked several years in Research and development as Innovations manager in water treatment with focus on boiler water, cooling water and geothermal applications. Since 2025 responsible as local technical manager in Benelux area.

LTM Manager BENELUX, Kurita

Director, Allied Waters / EnergyLabNL

Since 1992, I have been committed to technological innovation, product research and development, and production in the clean drinking water industry, accumulating over three decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of clean drinking water products and equipment. Currently, I serve as the Vice President and Chief Research and Development Officer at Angel Group, where I lead cutting-edge research on advanced clean drinking water technologies and the development of innovative products. Driven by the mission to enhance consumers' quality of life, I focus on delivering comprehensive clean drinking water solutions.
Since 2012, I have successfully launched several industry-leading core technologies, including high-performance, long-lasting reverse osmosis membrane technology; antibacterial nano-crystal whisker activated carbon with superior antibacterial properties; super activated carbon that effectively removes residual chlorine and heavy metals; folded filter cartridge technology that enhances water flow; next-generation flat ultrafiltration membranes; APCM filtration membranes; UVC-LED sterilization technology; and counterbalance pump technology. These innovations have achieved international leadership and have been successfully commercialized. My contributions have not only driven technological advancement but also involved me in the formulation of multiple national and industry standards, addressing critical gaps in the clean drinking water sector and significantly advancing the industry's technological progress and standardization. To date, I have obtained 79 patent authorizations and published five papers in SCI-indexed international journals.
Awards: - Second Prize of the Science and Technology Award from the China Membrane Industry Association (twice) - Gold and Silver Awards at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in Switzerland (3 Gold and 3 Silver Awards) - Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Nuremberg, Germany (3 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze Awards) - Gold and Silver Awards at the Asian International Innovation and Invention Awards (3 Gold and 3 Silver Awards) - Gold and Silver Awards at the Silicon Valley International Invention Fair in the United States (2 Gold and 2 Silver Awards)

Vice president, Shenzhen Angel Drinking Water Industrial Group Corporation

Michiel van der Meer is Water Manager and Business Developer at Bilfinger Engineering and Consultancy with an intrinsic motivation to contribute to the sustainability of The Netherlands and the water transition. Regarding the assets of both the industry and the government my goal is to create value for the future.

Water Manager and Business Developer, Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy

Dr. Kees Roest has worked at KWR Water Research Institute since 2008 and was among the pioneers in KWR’s wastewater research. On the Energy and Circular Systems team he works on sustainable transitions with a focus on innovative (waste)water treatment concepts and the reuse of water, energy, and materials. Kees is managing the KWR TKI Water Technology program for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and is portfolio manager resource recovery and circular systems issues at KWR. Kees has a Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology from WUR.

Senior Scientific Researcher, KWR

Alexander is a project manager at Antea Group and expert in water management, specializing in water strategies, disaster risk management, and sustainable industrial practices. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, they drive impactful solutions in environmental resilience, regulatory compliance, and circular resource use.

Project Manager water and climate, Antea Group

Ragne Pärnamäe is a Scientific Project Manager at Wetsus, specializing in electrochemical membrane technologies at the water-energy nexus. She holds a MSc in Chemical Engineering from Aarhus University and is currently pursuing a PhD at Wageningen University & Research, where her research focuses on alkaline water electrolysis and nickel-based hydrogen evolution catalysts.

Scientific Project Manager

Stephen Wheeler is a Senior Ion Exchange Technologist at ResinTech, a US manufacturer of ion exchange products based in Camden, New Jersey. He has been in the water treatment industry for over 15 years.
 
Stephen runs the technical and applications support group for ResinTech and has been involved with their laboratory and R&D efforts to identify and remediate PFAS contaminants. Stephen has presented at multiple technical conferences on PFAS remediation technologies.
 
Stephen holds a degree in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University and is an Environmental Commissioner for the Borough of Clayton, NJ.

Senior Ion Exchange Technologist, ResinTech Inc

Experienced international drinking water expert, currently co-owner of software company Spatial Insight.

International business developer, Spatial Insight

Hessel is trained as hydrologist. Within Deltares, he gained 15 years of experience with flood and drought risk datasets and modelling, and flood and drought monitoring and forecasting. His approach to design of technology and projects is strongly anchored in co-design. Over the past 5 years, his focus has been on research and development of locally sustainable technology for data related to natural hazard risks, and creating a bridge between local entrepreneurs with skills to collect data sets, and local and international audiences, that require such data sets. Within Rainbow Sensing, He conceived the idea for OpenRiverCam, the first entirely free and open-source suite for operational management of river monitoring sites using camera observations. Within Delft, University, he supervises students that work on affordable or repurposed technology for environmental monitoring.

Director, Rainbow Sensing

Nil Llopart Aguado has extensive experience in the field of desalination, having worked at Acciona Agua since 2016 within the desalination and new technologies group. He began his career as an operator at the Tordera pilot desalination plant, where he supported various projects, both internal and European funded project (LIFE DREAMER, INTEGROIL H2020, etc.), as well as in other regions and sectors. Currently, he serves as a project manager in Acciona's innovation department, participating in and contributing to the optimization of desalination processes through data analysis and pilot plant demonstrations, as well as occasionally contributing to their design.

RD project manager

Chris is the Director of Strategy and Insight at Isle and has over 15 years’ experience in industry. Chris looks after Isle’s Technology Scouting and Market Insight teams to provide clients with support on emerging market dynamics, new venture growth and innovation strategies.
He is experienced in working with innovators to bring their solutions to the water industry. His work spans across the lifecycle of new ventures, having supported teams seeking investment, piloting and developing new products and implementing mature solutions at an enterprise scale. He is also the Chief Commercial Officer for METzero, a wastewater treatment technology provider.
Chris previously worked at Bristol Water (UK) as the Head of Business Improvement and Innovation. He developed the company’s innovation framework and founded a business incubator to support startups bringing their new solutions to the industry.
Prior to Bristol Water, Chris worked for Baringa Partners supporting a range of Utility clients across the UK with operating model improvement projects. Chris holds a 1st class Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath.

Director of Strategy and Insight, Isle Utilities

Jochen Kallenberg brings extensive expertise in water treatment processes and chemical engineering, complemented by an advanced degree in marketing. With over 25 years of experience in the water treatment industry, he has developed deep knowledge in desalination, membrane technology, media filtration, and applications for the mining sector. His career includes roles at globally recognized membrane and mineral technology companies. He currently serves as Director of Water Treatment at Dryden Aqua in Switzerland. For the past four years, Jochen Kallenberg has been a board member and the acting Vice President of the European Desalination Society.

Director Water Treatment, Dryden Aqua

With nearly 25 years in Sales & Business Development, Wayne focuses on Industrial Water Treatment at HPNow. Using his previous experience with Xylem and Evoqua, along with already established connections, his primary focus is on Data Centre Cooling and Light Industry applications.

Head of Industrial Sales – Europe & Middle East, HPNow

Wellness and wellbeing
With over two decades of experience as a hospitality and wellness advisor and constructor I have been at the forefront of the Dutch sauna and wellness market, developing the business and promote high-end resorts, wellness centers, and sustainable hospitality solutions. From 2001 to 2024 I specialized in creating innovative and eco-conscious environments, integrating water management, energy efficiency, and guest experience optimization.
Transition 24
Building on this expertise, John has now transitioned into the role of Business Developer at Bluecon, where he focuses on decentralized wastewater treatment solutions with a special focus at hospitality and tourism. Leveraging his deep understanding of the hospitality sector’s water challenges, he works on implementing cutting-edge water purification technologies that enhance sustainability and operational efficiency for hotels, resorts, and wellness facilities, as well as small comunities and rural areas worldwide.
Challenge
At Bluecon we took the challenge to make the transition needed to provide the more than 80% of rural areas in the world who don't have acces to any wastewater treatment or sanitation. The Bluecon method is really the key to bring solutions for all the areas where it is too cold, hot, far away, too low in occupancy or with too much fluctuation in wastewater volume. We believe that together with the traditional centralized biological treatement plants and our partners and competitors, we can clean up all the water in the world!

Business developer decentralized wastewater treatment, Bluecon international bv

Marta Faneca Sanchez is a senior hydrogeologist at Deltares with over 15 years of experience in groundwater management and modelling. Marta holds a dregree in geology and hydrogeology from the University of Barcelona and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. She specializes in assessing groundwater systems, with expertise in evaluating the impact of droughts, defining risk indicators, and designing strategies to mitigate negative effects. Her work integrates field work, modelling, and collaborative approaches to analyze climate, socio-economic scenarios, and the impact of strategies on groundwater. She also has extensive experience in coastal groundwater assessment and management, focussing on freshwater availability and long-term water security measures. In recent years Marta has been actively involved in Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) projects, contributing to conceptual designs and exploring MAR's role in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).  Marta has worked in projects across The Netherlands, Spain, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Chile, Vietnam, Colombia and Mozambique, engaging in both technical roles and project coordination.

Specialist Hydrogeology, Deltares

Alvaro Lagartos is a Chemical Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the water industry and desalination. He has developed different roles in the industry from project engineer, process engineer, project manager, or technical service engineer in Europe, USA, LATAM, and Australia. Since 2017 he has been working for LG NanoH2O, initially as a Senior Application Engineer, and in 2023, he was promoted to Senior Technical Marketing Manager, his current role.

Senior Technical Marketing Manager, LG Chem

I am a chemical and process engineer graduated with honors at the University of Cagliari, Italy, in the 2013. Through my university career I became passionate about water treatment solutions and water management related topics which I further developed during my dissertations focusing first on the biological wastewater treatments at the municipal wastewater treatment of Cagliari and then within the research laboratories of the University of Cagliari testing Rhodotorula glutinis yeast ability applied to the biological wastewater treatments. My professional career started within the Oil&Gas industry as maintenance engineer where I have been involved in the maintenance services management for the biggest multinational oil companies worldwide, to move in 2018 to Philip Morris International at the Manufacturing & Technology Production site in Bologna as Utilities Engineer within the Facility and Utilities department. This role enabled me to gain fundamental expertise both in the O&M management and technology solutions of the main production utilities with a strong focus on Water and Wastewater Treatment systems. Since 2019 I have been a member of the Alliance for Water Stewardship team of Bologna site, becoming the team leader in 2022 after moving to Manufacturing Sustainability department as Sustainability Engineer. In October 2024 I joined the global operations sustainability department as Project Lead Environmental Sustainability. The role focuses on Climate Change, Water and Biodiversity topics relevant for the entire Philip Morris International Supply Chain.

Project Lead Environmental Sustainability, Philip Morris International

Kelli Fleischmann is an accomplished leader in the water quality and filtration industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Global Services at the Water Quality Association (WQA). With a proven track record in business development, operations management, and strategic planning, Kelli leads a global team, driving innovation and enhancing WQA’s product certification services to maximize customer satisfaction and market growth.
Prior to her current role, Kelli held leadership positions at Ahlstrom-Munksjo, where she spearheaded market expansion for advanced filtration technology, and at NSF International, where she led global teams in water systems and drinking water treatment certification. Her expertise in fostering collaboration, improving operational efficiency, and implementing customer-centric strategies has been instrumental in shaping industry standards.
Kelli’s career began with research in biochemistry at Detroit R&D, where she contributed to the development of drug metabolizing microarray kits. She later co-founded a creative graphics media startup, demonstrating her entrepreneurial mindset.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Detroit Mercy and remains committed to driving advancements in water quality, regulatory compliance, and customer engagement on a global scale.

Vice President of Global Services

Michael P. Mormino, VP Sales & Marketing of the ENPRESS GROUP™, leads this group of companies in their product and business development efforts. Mike has served in many volunteer roles with the Water Quality Association and has been actively involved since joining the industry in 2001, currently serving on its Board of Governors.  The ENPRESS Group™ is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of advanced liquid filtration solutions. As a premier conglomerate in the filtration industry with five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, ENPRESS Group™ unites several top-tier companies including ENPRESS, essef, Applied Cartridge Systems, and United Filters International.  The Group is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, patented products that set the standard for performance, filtration efficiency, and water conservation. All ENPRESS Group™ products are proudly Made in the USA, ensuring superior quality and reliability for diverse global markets. Mike has an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Entrepreneurship and is active in his community and an avid runner, fisherman, and golfer.  He lives in Hudson, OH with his wife Amanda and their four children.

Vice President Sales & Marketing, ENPRESS GROUP of Companies: ENPRESS LLC, United Filters International, essef, Applied Cartridge Systems

Dr. Ir. Harrie Besselink 
Director BioDetection Systems BV. (BDS)
 
Harrie Besselink is Director of  the Product and Application Unit (PAU) at BioDetection Systems BV. He obtained his Master’s degree in Molecular Science, orientation Biochemistry/Toxicology at Wageningen University, the Netherlands. His PhD degree in Environmental Toxicology he also obtained at Wageningen University, the Netherlands. After working at Wageningen University and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (IVM), he joined as pioneer of bioassays BioDetection Systems in 2001 as Head of Laboratories. Managing contract analyses, technology transfer and training courses is his daily business. Furthermore, he is specialized in validation and valorisation of bioassays (e.g. OECD and ISO). In addition, he is an international expert in assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental and biological samples using biological analysis techniques and key innovator in the development of application tools for various CALUX bioassays. He participated in various national and international/European research programs, such as TECHNEAU (bioassays), DEMEAU (WWTPs), AQUANES (alternative WWTPs). Currently, he is participating in EU PROMISCES (focussing on PFAS), EU SafeCrew (focussing on DBPs), and EU OneBLUE (focussing on Safe Urban Water).

Director BioDetection Systems (Product and Application Unit (PAU))

Philippe Tob is a chemical engineer, innovator, and entrepreneur dedicated to changing how we hydrate. As the founder of Aqvita, he has pioneered breakthrough mineral infusion technologies that transform purified water into mineral-rich hydration. Holding multiple patents, Philippe has reimagined water remineralization by mimicking nature’s process with precision and sustainability. At Aquatech, he will unveil how Aqvita’s latest innovations are setting new standards for the mineralization of purified water.

CEO, Founder at Aqvita

Galen Fulford is an environmental entrepreneur, inventor, and founding director of Biomatrix Water. With over a decade of experience in ecological water treatment and sustainable development, he specializes in integrating natural systems with advanced technology to solve complex water quality challenges. Since 2012, Galen has served as Managing Director of Biomatrix Water Solutions Ltd., a company renowned for its innovative modular water treatment systems. These solutions have powered transformative projects such as the Wild Mile in Chicago and Eden Dock in London. Biomatrix Water operates in over 20 countries, delivering nature-based solutions that restore and enhance aquatic ecosystems. Galen’s work has led to numerous patent-worthy innovations, including Floating Ecosystems, Active Island Reactors, and Helix Flow Reactors. His entrepreneurial approach was further shaped by the MIT Entrepreneurship Development Program, which equipped him to scale technological solutions for global environmental challenges. Passionate about collaboration with both people and nature, Galen's mission is to bring water systems back to life for the benefit of both humanity and the environment. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys exploring water through kiteboarding, cold-water swimming, kayaking, and sailing. Galen continues to lead Biomatrix Water’s efforts to pioneer sustainable water solutions worldwide.

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