Pitch 5 Bluetech, 
Is Your Purified Water Missing Something Essential? 
Purification removes contaminants—but also strips away vital minerals like magnesium and calcium, essential for health and taste. At Aquatech’s Innovation Pitch, I’ll present Aqvita’s breakthrough solution: a patented system that instantly and precisely restores these missing minerals, mimicking nature’s process—without powders, tablets, or plastic waste, and without altering the taste of water. In just 15 minutes, I’ll explain why remineralization matters, how our technology works, and what this means for the future of hydration.

Mineralizing Purified Water—Aqvita’s Breakthrough Innovation

<ul>
<li>15:15-15:35; A unique solution for Ion-Exchange operation optimization: Economical and environmental impacts. Elad Barak.</li>
<li>15:35-15:55; An innovative composite framework with a highly permeable metal-organic framework -membrane for sustainable water desalination.</li>
<li>15:55-16:15; MHD-EHD Physical Desalination of Seawater Coupled with Centrifugation and Crystallization Mechanisms</li>
<li>16:15-16:35; Reducing Desalination's Carbon Footprint with Enzymes.</li>
</ul>
 
Elad Barak:
A unique solution for Ion-Exchange operation optimization: Economical and environmental impacts. 
1. Performing an automatic regeneration according to the characteristics of the input stream (flow rates and concentrations of hardness ions) considering the change in temperature throughout the year and according to the production plan - the nature of the feed stream changes, the amount of water required for treatment changes and therefore also the loading rate of the ion exchangers.
2. Determining the volume of water required for regeneration. 
The above is expected to significantly reduce the amount of acid required for regeneration and large amount of water required for washing and rinsing.
Methodology:
- During the project, the "effective" capacity of the resin was tested in relation to the theoretical capacity -a long experiment with many repetitions: loading the resins until "breakthrough" and then a long regeneration until reaching a constant hardness value.
- For several months, data was collected on the inlet current to the ion exchangers: calcium and magnesium using ICP-MS, and conductivity. 
- An in-depth analysis was performed on how the system works and how it is implemented in the field.
Main findings:
- The resin capacity was found to be lower than the theoretical (about ~ 30%).
- A strong relationship was found between the concentrations of calcium and magnesium (each separately) and the conductivity of the feed to the ion exchangers.
How to integrate the findings into the existing system and the consequences of the change:
- To determine the number of ions loaded into the ion exchangers, an algorithm was implemented in the control system that calculates the amount of hardness ions from the measured conductivity. When the cumulative amount reaches the predetermined value (because of understanding the "effective" resin capacity)- the unit automatically started its regeneration.
- The amount of water required for regeneration was determined from the experiment to determine the capacity of the resin and by combining additional data.
These days we are running an experiment to examine the effect of the regeneration solution conductivity on the required regeneration volume to increase the availability of the system, especially during the summer days when the loads are high.
 
Muneer Bata:
Addressing the critical challenges of traditional desalination processes such as high energy consumption and significant fouling, this study investigates the integration of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF-303) with chitosan and Arabic gum into a polysulfone matrix. The research highlights the importance of enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of water desalination systems by leveraging the unique properties of its constituents.
The synthesis utilized a strategic layering approach, starting with the integration of MOF-303 into the polysulfone base, followed by the addition of chitosan and Arabic gum. This methodology was designed to optimize the membrane's hydrophilicity and mechanical strength, thereby improving its permeability and antifouling properties. Under varying pressures, desalination tests demonstrated a substantial increase in both water flux and salt rejection rates, achieving optimal performance at 6 bar with a flux of 48 L/m²h and salt rejection stabilizing at 90%.
SEM analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of MOF-303 and revealed enhanced structural integrity of the membrane. The results underscore the membrane's potential for large-scale applications, marking a significant advancement in desalination technology. Future efforts will focus on scaling production and conducting real-world tests to further validate the membrane's performance and operational durability.

Part 2. The Future of Cleaner Water Through Desalination

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

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

President, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd.
Responsible for Technology, Heavy Industry & Environment Business, Corporate Marketing, Corporate Diversification and Communication.
Mr. Ajay Popat pursued his engineering degree in Plastics Technology from the Plastic & Rubber Institute, UK and Masters in Business Administration specializing in Marketing & Strategy with honors from NMIMS Institute. He has also been conferred with a Fellowship by Indian Plastics Institute in 2007.
He has more than 40 years of experience in Strategy, Business & Organisation Development with leading organizations like Resins & Plastics Ltd. (then a subsidiary of Asian Paints Ltd.), Pidilite Industries Ltd. and Ion Exchange. He had an extremely successful career track record with Pidilite industries from 1983 to 1994 where he grew from the position of Sales Representative to All-India Sales Manager with successive promotions and career progression every year.
Associated with Ion Exchange since 1994, he has spearheaded several initiatives in developing and successfully commercializing proprietary, advanced & sustainable technologies for purification & separation in water, wastewater treatment and more recently in areas of renewable energy in compliance with legal, environmental, economic and social requirement of our country. During his tenure, Mr. Popat successfully conceived the idea of a separate Environment Management business, which he formed through a joint venture between Ion Exchange and a leading Belgium company. Under his leadership as a CEO of this joint venture (and then elevated to the Board of the Company), Mr. Popat created a leadership position for the joint venture, leading to his elevation as the President of the parent company, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd. where he is responsible for Corporate functions in Technology, Marketing, Communications, Heavy Industry Business Verticals, Environment Division and Corporate Affairs.
Mr. Popat is active in promoting the cause of water industry through active participation with the Water and Environment Council in CII, FICCI, Bombay Chamber of Commerce, Indian Environmental Association, Water Quality Association – India Task Force, Process Plant and Machinery Association of India (PPMAI) and other trade bodies. He is a Director in the governing bodies of these organizations and leads CII’s Core group on Promotion of New and cutting–edge Technology for Waste Water Management. He has chaired and delivered more than 100 papers on the subject of Sustainable Environment Management practices. He continues to play an active role to facilitate industry & its associated initiatives to achieve efficiency and excellence in water and energy management practices benefiting all stake holders.
He likes to read, socialise, pursue indoor & outdoor sports activities and pursue lifestyle improvement activities for the benefit of self, associates and the society.

President, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd.

As a seasoned business development expert with 17+ years of experience, I've established a reputation for driving growth and innovation. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, I cultivated a passion for applying knowledge to real-world challenges. I earned a PGDMA degree in Paint & Resin Technology from JU University, Kolkata, and began my career at Kansai Nerolac, rising to R&D Specialist in 2010.
With a proven track record of success, I've led business development efforts for multiple organizations, including J K Protomax, Industrial Resins & Chemicals, where I achieved 10x sales growth in 8 years. My expertise lies in bridging the gap between technology and application, with a focus on environmental sustainability. As a natural connector, I thrive in marketing and partnership roles.
When I'm not working, you can find me exploring new destinations or recharging. I'm committed to making a lasting impact in my field and collaborating with like-minded professionals to drive positive change.

Co-Founder & COO, Exposome Pvt Ltd

Nicholas Nelson is the Director of Innovation and Technical Marketing at Omya International for Consumer & Environmental Solutions, responsible for the development of products and solutions for water, air and consumer applications based on natural minerals.

Director of Innovation and Technical Marketing for Consumer & Environmental Solutions, Omya International

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

​Şenol ​Ağaç is actively supporting water technology companies in their sales efforts since 2016. He is working for 3 different clients and selling their products into the real estate industry in Germany and Europeanwide.
He is a conference speaker at Aquatech and other events & fairs in 2025.
With "Chancendeutschland" he has published a bestselling book on the future of German democracy.

Founder, Sustainable Water Consulting

Dipl.- Geol., MBA Reinhard Klaus
After graduating in geology, more than 15 years as managing director of his own engineering consulting firm specializing in water supply, municipal infrastructure and environmental remediation. 
Then 4 years as Managing Director at CDM Smith Consult, including Head of Municipal Infrastructure. 
From 2010 - 2018, after completing an executive MBA degree, self-employed consultant in international business development, specializing in drinking water supply, well construction, groundwater remediation. 
From 01/2019 – 03/2024 at Xylem as Business Development Manager Assessment Services & Digital Services for Central and Northern Europe.
Since 04/2024 with Rosenxt as New Market Development Manager  Water Line Infrastructure Team.

Asset Management, Rosen-NXT

EZMEMS

With a technical background in Chemistry and a commercial focus for 20+ years, Colm has a proven track record of delivering performance improvement in manufacturing environments by streamlining workflows, optimising resources, and driving continuous improvement.
With a focus on identifying opportunities for growth, product development and developing global partnerships, Colm leads the Aquamonitrix team with values underpinned by a culture of collaboration and innovation.

CEO, Aquamonitrix Ltd

Hans-Jürgen Wedemeyer was born in Monheim, Germany, in 1963 and  graduated as a plant technician from the “Bayer AG Leverkusen” in  1984 and as a lab technician in 1992.  He started his career in 1985 at Bayer AG in Leverkusen, Germany.  Wedemeyer was working as a lab technician in the department Plant  Protection and was responsible for analytic pretreatment.  In 1992 he changed within Bayer AG to the Lewatit Ion Exchange  Resins business unit as an Assistant Lab Manager for Ion exchanger  applications.  Since 2006 Wedemeyer is working as a global technical manager at Ion  Exchange Resins business unit (now part of LANXESS and renamed  into Liquid Purification Technologies) and is responsible for  make-up- water, condensate polishing and ultra-pure-water applications  with Ion exchangers.  Hans-Jürgen Wedemeyer is married and has one child.  Cologne, June 2016

Aplication Technology Manager, Lanxess

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

Founder & CEO, Orb

Marthe de Graaff works as a senior process engineer at Evides Industriewater on several topics relating resource recovery. She also has experience on full scale industrial wastewater treatment plants as a process advisor. In this presentation the new installation at Yara will be presented where nitrogen rich wastewater is upgraded to be reused again to produce fertilizers.

Senior process engineer, Evides Industriewater

Experienced process engineer with over 20 years of international experience in waste water treatment, effluent reuse and sludge treatment. In this role I have a broad experience in the design of new waste water treatment systems, upgrades of existing sytems, trouble shooting, commissioning and process support.

Sr. Process engineer, RoyalHaskoningDHV

Andrea Naves has been working in the Sustainability area of the Eurecat  Foundation since 2020. She currently works as an Advanced Researcher in the Water, Air and Soil Unit of the center. Her main lines of research are included within water treatment technologies, both conventional and advanced systems with membranes, in the industrial field. She has experience in tertiary treatment systems for water regeneration and reuse, as well as zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems. She has worked in more than 20 research projects, public and private, participating in various scientific-technical publications and patents.

Advanced Researcher, Eurecat

Jan Bos is co-founder of Nuoro, a Belgian engineering cooperative with a focus on clean water and green energy.  Even before he could walk, Jan Bos’ parents took him out sailing. From a very young age, he was surrounded by the sea and the elements, which is where he developed a great passion for water, the environment, and the living world. Bio-engineering and environmental technologies are his habitat. His curiosity and adventurous spirit have led him around the world.
Jan Bos had the opportunity to live and work in Latin America on and off for about 10 years. He gained experience through dozens of fascinating projects, from small rural municipal wastewater treatment systems in Paraguay to state-of-the-art industrial wastewater and biogas projects in France, Australia, and Colombia. From conceptual design to basic and detailed engineering to commissioning and start-up: as a process engineer, he loves to see his designs come to life.

Director, Nuoro

Jordi Bacardit serves as a Marketing Manager for DuPont Water Solutions, where he oversees the Industrial Water and Energy sector across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is also the global segment lead for Energy, encompassing Power Generation, Lithium Brine Purification, and Green Hydrogen. With over 15 years of experience in water treatment, Jordi has expertise in technology and application development, technical service, commercial development, and marketing roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Barcelona, complemented by an MBA from the University Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain.

Marketing Manager - Industrial Water & Energy, EMEA, DuPont Water Solutions

Panos has over a decade of experience in industrial wastewater treatment and sustainability, specializing in tailored solutions for complex water challenges. He has led sales and strategy for high-value projects across Europe. As Head of Industry – Europe at Isle, he helps businesses adopt cutting-edge water technologies and advance their corporate water sustainability goals.

Head of Industry - Europe, Isle Utilities

Prof. Leo Posthuma is an expert in the field of environmental risks and sustainable development at the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and as Professor by special appointment 'Sustainability and Environmental Risks' at Radboud University Nijmegen.
Leo Posthuma studied biology at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. In 1987 he graduated cum laude, with specialisations in animal ecology, plant ecology, phytopathology and population genetics. His PhD-research at the same University focused on long-term effects of unintended mixtures of chemical pollutants. Working at RIVM since 1992, Leo is concerned with scientific support for decision-making under uncertainty, especially geared towards solving complex (‘wicked’) environmental problems. Keywords are environmental risks, sustainable development, and solution-focused and practical approaches and methodologies.
Leo currently acts as expert and project leader in projects on risks and sustainability ranging from local to global scales. His key interest lie in the provision of strategic goals, to provide universally applicable and validated knowledge, data and approaches. But also on effective application of such knowledge to current problems. His contributions to the latter range from solving problems with slightly contaminated soil, water and sediments up till the design and operationalization of a method for a swift disaster assessment and evaluation approach for United Nations field teams.
As expert and professor, Leo Posthuma focuses on the transposition of environmental problems into sustainable solutions.

Prof. and senior Researcher Sustainability and Environmental Risks

As Founder and Director of The Water Agency, Gregor leads a team of consultants across South-East Asia, supporting international water projects and partnerships through inclusive stakeholder and community engagement, youth leadership and water education. In Vietnam, Gregor is the Project Director of the Mekong Salt Lab program that is experimenting and implementing practical (water) solutions to help farmers adapt to salinity.

Managing Director, The Water Agency

Gabriele earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. Her graduate research focused on carrying out a feasibility study utilizing a nanofiltration pilot system for a local municipality, while assisting on other research projects including corrosion studies, RO piloting, and more. In May 2024, Gabriele joined American Water Chemicals as an Applications Engineer, where she has been providing technical support, troubleshooting, and innovative solutions to clients in the water treatment industry. Recently, Gabriele transitioned to American Water Chemicals’ European division, where she continues to apply her technical expertise while expanding the company’s support across international markets.

Applications Engineer, American Water Chemicals

Adriana Bim is a Sales Manager for the Americas at QUA, specializing in advanced membrane technologies such as UF, MBR, and EDI, with over 13 years of expertise in water treatment and wastewater solutions. Originally from Brazil and currently residing in Florida, USA, she has extensive experience providing technical support to customers, helping them integrate innovative water treatment technologies in industrial applications across the Americas, including the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Adriana has contributed to the development and implementation of advanced technologies at companies like Siemens, Evonik, Ingredion, Lubrizol, and American Water Chemicals. She has an MBA in Management and Environmental Technologies and a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Sales manager, QUA

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

I am a molecular biologist-microbiologist with an interest in applying microorganisms to environmental and industrial processes. During my PhD research, I have focused on aerobic granular sludge, a biofilm used in biological wastewater treatment. I studied the microbial activity and composition of the biofilm and the conversions of organic macromolecules during the wastewater treatment process. I am interested in combining advanced techniques to study mixed microbial communities and their in situ behavior. With a little help from microorganisms, I hope to contribute to transitioning to a sustainable society.

Process Engineer, CIMICO

Application Technology Manager

Wouter van Gerwen is a Value Engineering facilitator at Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy with over 30 years of experience in the process industry. He is currently involved in the connection between innovative start-ups and corporates with challenges in the current era of transition.

Value Engineering Facilitator, Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy

Johan holds a degree in Industrial Engineering in Chemistry and a post-master's degree in Environmental Sciences. Since 2000, he has worked as a researcher specializing in water technology at VITO, contributing to various industrial sectors. Over the years, he has participated in numerous research projects (e.g., FP7, H2020, IWT-VIS, and open calls), which have helped him build extensive technological expertise. Currently, he serves as a Business Developer within the Water Team at VITO. In this role, he facilitates collaboration between researchers and industry, helping to address water challenges and accelerate water-innovation.

Business Developer Unit Water & Energy Transition, VITO

Sofie has a Masters’ degree in bioengineering and has worked as environmental process engineer in the water technology sector and the pharmaceutical sector. At VITO she works on acquisition and management of consultancy and research projects in the following domains: industrial water and wastewater management, circular water and implementation of sustainable water concepts.

Project Lead Water & Industry, VITO

From my role as Permitting Lead with HyCC, we are applying for the necessary permits for future green hydrogen production sites in the Netherlands. This is entirely in line with my personal motivations, including my desire to contribute to the energy transition. The energy transition will not succeed through the success of a single company but through the partnership of various parties within the Netherlands. We also aim to limit water consumption, for example, by exploring the possibility of using RWZI effluent in the production process when permissible.

Permitting lead, HyCC

Head of International Cooperation, Embassy of The United Mexican States

Sales, Krohne

Managing Director/ Co-Owner, Rainboo

Manager Sales, Econvert, part of Nijhuis Saur Industries

President of AEDYR and Water Positive Think Tank Founder

Irene Marian is a Technical Sales Consultant with a degree in Chemical Sciences and over 15 years of experience in the water treatment and desalination industry.
 
She began her professional career in the pharmaceutical industry at Lilly Co., where she developed a focus on excellence and continuous improvement. 
 
Over 17 years ago, she joined Adiquimica, an international Spanish company specialized in water treatment products and services. Initially representing their commercial interests locally, her role soon expanded to include national and international business development, as well as developing transversal business lines such as IAQ. 
 
Working in business development, she found her passion in membrane technology, particularly reverse osmosis, and today combines her experience in the municipal sector with industrial demands to achieve increasingly greater water recoveries. 
 
Currently, she specializes in client and project management, sales, business development, and technical expertise within Adiquimica's Technical-Sales Department.

Sales Consultant, Adiquímica

With 18 years of experience working in the water sector, Ruben Wentink has developed a strong reputation as a strategic advisor in the Dutch water industry. As a strategic advisor for five years, he has focused on advising drinking water companies on critical topics such as the impacts of climate change on drinking water, strategies for reducing water consumption and navigating the complexities of water governance.
In the last two years, Ruben has shifted his focus to stormwater management, at FieldFactors,  leveraging his expertise to address climate impacts in urban environments. His work spans cities, sports facilities, and industries, where  innovative strategies are developed to mitigate the challenges posed by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
This holistic approach to sustainable water management helps to create resilient water systems for the future.

Snr. Business Developer, FieldFactors

Stefan Schmidt studied mechanical engineering at the University of Siegen and started working for the SMS group GmbH in 1996. Over 25 years of experience in fluid & piping engineering of rolling mills and other plants for steel industry led finally into taking care of water solutions. Today Mr. Schmidt is part of the Water Treatment team of the SMS group developing new perspectives on the steel industry water footprint.

Water Expert at SMS group / Steel Industry

Dr. Alexander Finnegan is a postdoctoral researcher at Wetsus (the Netherlands), focusing on reducing microplastic pollution and advancing circular economy practices. His experience has been on projects related to plastic recycling, and quantifying environmental microplastics found in water and air. He obtained his PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2022 with a thesis titled “Freshwater and Atmospheric Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia”.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Burcu is leading the Global Water Technology Group and over the years, she has led several projects ranging from feasibility studies to commissioning and troubleshooting of treatment plants for various industries. Based on her knowledge and experience Burcu was named a Fluor Fellow in the field of water and wastewater treatment. Since 2020, she serves as vice chairwoman of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AiCHE)  for the Netherlands/Belgium section.

Process Engineering Manager – Fluor Fellow, Fluor Corporation

In his role as Application Technology Manager with LANXESS, Dirk develops new applications for ion exchange resins in th field of battery metals, waste- and drinking water.
Prior to joinging LANXESS in 2016 Dirk pursued a Post-Doc at Harvard University, with a main focus on ion exchange resin for pharmaceutical applications. Dirk obtained his PhD in 2013 in polymer chemistry.
 
He is the author of 25 reviewed articled and 10 patents. His work was awarded by the Konrad Adenauer and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Application Technology Manager, Lanxess

Business Development Manager Mexico,  Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Show Manager Aquatech Mexico – Informa Markets

Partners voor Water

Co-founder and CPO, Open Hydro

Mohamed Mokhlef's journey into the water industry wasn’t a straightforward one. As a young man, he dreamed of a career in media, believing it held the power to influence minds and drive change. But a conversation with his father changed everything. He learned that billions of people worldwide lack access to clean water and proper wastewater services—a silent crisis with far-reaching consequences. That realization shifted his perspective and set him on a path he never imagined.
Today, Mohamed leads IWTE, a company founded by his father in 1992. What started as a small family business has grown into a regional leader in water treatment under his leadership. Since 2021, he has focused on transforming IWTE into a modern, forward-thinking organization, opening its first international branch in Saudi Arabia, working on ISO certifications, and preparing to publish its first ESG report.
Alongside IWTE, Mohamed founded Meyahh, a startup designed to empower small contractors, support local manufacturers, and bring more investment into the water industry. He believes collaboration and innovation are key to solving the region’s water challenges.
Mohamed’s journey has taken him to over 15 countries and 96 cities, where he’s met hundreds of experts and seen firsthand the issues that need solving. His focus is clear: to turn challenges into opportunities and to help create a more sustainable future for the Middle East and Africa.

CEO, Meyahh

Smartvatten

Sr. Water Treatment & Integration Engineer, Shell

I’m a Spanish engineer with over 25 years’ experience specializing in wastewater projects and project management. My journey began in Spain, where I started working as a process designer and project manager, primarily focusing on industrial wastewater treatment systems.
For the past 15 years I’m living in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, where I’ve been involved in managing projects related to wastewater, drinking water and water governance. My expertise lies in the realms of sustainability and innovation, area’s I’m deeply passionate about. 
In essence, my goal is to deliver tangible results and driving positive change within the realm of water management, using my expertise and leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in this crucial field.
I am currently working between my two countries. In Spain, I focus on industrial water management in collaboration with Arcadis. In the Netherlands, I work as a water expert, collaborating with the water boards. Trying to integrate the knowledge from both countries.

Water matter expert, Arcadis Spain

As the CEO of REDstack BV, Paula leads a company dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. From water treatment to CO2 capture and resource scarcity, REDstack is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions that make a tangible, lasting impact.
REDstack develops and produce the world’s most advanced and efficient ElectroMembrane stacks. REDstack's technology is revolutionizing industries by enabling the harnessing of clean water, the recovery of valuable resources, and supporting the reuse of chemicals.

CEO, REDstack

Tiemen has been working on projects for over 12 years where raw materials from various organic residuals (wastewater, swill etc.) are recovered for reuse. From his studies at Wageningen UR and Radboud University, he has developed a broad view and multidisciplinary approach. He uses this for the development of circular and sustainable residential areas and consultancy work on dealing with wastewater in rural areas. Tiemen is also involved in the design, start-up and monitoring of various innovation and pilot projects, all aimed at local recovery of raw materials and purification of wastewater.

Director & Senior Consultant, LeAF

Program Manager, Water Stewardship SCS Global

Dr Pablo Pereira-Doel is the director of the Undergraduate Hospitality Programmes at Surrey Business School, the lead of the Institute for Sustainability's Water literacy and sustainable water behaviour programme, and the co-director of the Human Insight Lab. 
After several years in the hospitality/tourism industry in Spain, France, The Gambia, and the UK, he is now an applied social scientist who uses sustainability-oriented innovations, consumer nudging, persuasive communication, design thinking, and experimental research methods to create pro-environmental behaviour change. His consumer and industry testing research contributed to developing a smart water-saving technology to nudge users to take shorter showers.
Pablo's problem-solving transdisciplinary research has involved partnerships with several companies in the hospitality industry (e.g. Scandic, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, TUI, Hostelling International, and others) and beyond (e.g. Aguardio ApS, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, L'Oréal, and the UN Environment Program).
His research has been funded through internal scholarships, an ESRC SeNSS Industry Engagement Fund, three ESRC Impact Acceleration Funds, a UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund, and an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Pablo is the first researcher in the UK to be awarded an ESRC postdoctoral fellowship in hospitality/tourism.

Water literacy and sustainable water behaviour programme lead, Surrey Business School & Institute for Sustainability, University of Surrey

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

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

Xiao Zhang is a PhD researcher at Wetsus and University of Twente. Her research focuses on developing stable polyelectrolyte multilayer nanofiltration membranes, which are designed to perform effectively under harsh process conditions, such as high salinity and extreme pH. These advanced membranes aim to provide solutions for the efficient treatment of various industrial streams.

PhD Researcher, Wetsus

Dr. Christine Kleffner is a process engineer with over 10 years of R&D experience in membrane technology. She specializes in the innovative application of membrane processes for energy efficient treatment and concentration of saline process and wastewater, striving to develop sustainable technical solutions for the industrial implementation of a circular economy.

Professor of Sustainable Process Engineering

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.

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

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