The Process industry has experienced a renewed focus on water efficiency in Operation as a part of their sustainability profile. Front runners have been the F&B industry for which water is a key priority in their Materiality Assessment. The session will focus on a well proven methodology that has provided substantial improvements within both F&B as well as Ingredients and pharma industries developing roadmaps to reach the industries sustainability targets. The session will present practical examples of solutions on the 4R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recircle and Rethink.

How to improve water efficiency in the Process industry – Practical learnings

Water is a vital resource for many industries, requiring high standards of safety and quality. However, limited access to clean water sources and the growing reliance on water reuse present significant challenges in ensuring water that is free from pathogens and micro-pollutants.

Wetsus: Safe Water

Søren Nøhr Bak has worked with industrial water and water efficiency for +30 years in different positions. He holds detailed knowledge on industrial water efficiency and treatment working for the F&B, pharma and Power-to-X industries. Through the years Søren has experience in technical solutions, financing, and implementation working in organizations ranging from Research, start-ups, large cooperations and consultancy. Søren holds MScE degrees from AaU (DK), UoW (USA) and commercial from IMD (CH) and KTH (S).

Senior Expertise Director, NIRAS A/S

César is a sanitary engineer with over ten years of experience in the water technology sector. As a Senior Technology Consultant at Isle Utilities, he  is responsible for delivering innovative solutions in water for industry projects. He supports internal teams in providing high-quality advice on wastewater reclamation, water stewardship, and cleaner production for manufacturing sites.

Senior Technology Consultant, Isle Utilities

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

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

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

Arian Edalat is a chemical engineer and an award winning water tech entrepreneur. He has a Ph.D. from University of Bradford in UK and two decades of experience in design, engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of industrial and municipal membrane-based water treatment processes as well as technology development and commercialization. 
His unique and diversified experience expands from developing a concept from bench scale through field pilot and large-scale commercialization and deployment. 
He has delivered over 60 cutting-edge and challenging water treatment solutions across the globe. 
Arian is also a graduate of UCLA’s Anderson School of Management’s Executive Management Program

Co-Founder & CEO, Active Membranes, Inc.

Project Manager, Water Alliance

Vishal is a Research Analyst at BlueTech Research. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. During his PhD and post-doctoral work, Vishal conducted research on membrane technologies for desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. Before joining BlueTech, he worked as an Incubation Manager at a Singapore government supported startup incubator, supporting the commercialization of innovative water technologies.

Research Analyst, BlueTech Research

Director at BioDetection Systems in Amsterdam, The Netherlands since 2006.
Experienced in international effect-based monitoring tool development and applications since 1992. Former Managing Director and Head of several laboratories at Kaneka Corp. (Japan), Eurofins (GER) and SGS (GER/USA). 
University education at Tübingen University (Germany, 1992-1997, PhD), Lancaster University (1997, post-doc) and Kyoto University (1998-2001, post-doc).
He has ample experience in initiating/coordinating of various international collaborative research projects in many kinds of applications (ROHS, REACH, environment, water monitoring & treatment, wildlife & human health). 
His area of expertise spans innovative approaches in application of various (bio)analysis tools with many kinds of chemicals (EDCs, POPs, PFAS) in many different matrices (environment, feed/food, wildlife and human monitoring). 
He has been involved in more than 150  publications & cases related to these pollutants in various countries. 
He is currently involved in several EU Grean Deal water projects such as PROMISCES (PFAS and PMTs in the water cycle), SafeCrew (Desinfection byproducts), OneBlue (Marine water pollution) and HOLISTIC (Urban water pollution) as well as in Risk3Hunter for non-animal methods (NAMs).

Director, BioDetection Systems bv

Daniele Strongone is the General Manager for AWC Europe, the Spain-based division of American Water Chemicals (AWC) looking after the EMEIA and APAC regions. He is also the President and one of the Co-founders of the Water Positive Think Tank. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Napoli Federico II (Italy) and a Master’s Degree in Chemical and Bioprocesses Engineering from the Engineering School of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). With a passion for sustainability and experience in Europe, Australia, Africa and Middle East, he has worked in several areas of the water treatment industry such as chemicals, equipment, drinking water and wastewater project management, leading business strategies and growing revenue. His biggest mission is to help leaving a positive impact on the water resources.

General Manager, American Water Chemicals (AWC)

SALT Doctors

Mike is an Account Manager with H2O Innovation. Mike’s career in the desalination industry began when he joined Genesys-PWT on a placement during his Chemistry degree from the University of St Andrews. Since then, Mike has assisted in many research projects, including use of formulated chemicals in novel applications and laboratory development of new products. Mike now helps deliver innovative solutions to meet industrial and commercial client needs.

Account Manager, H2O Innovation

Tina Donda serves as the Senior Vice President of IAPMO R&T's Water Systems program, where she leads strategic planning and oversees key initiatives within the division. With over 20 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Tina has an extensive background in both the technical and operational aspects of product certifications. Prior to her current role, she managed the daily operations of IAPMO R&T’s product certification program for water treatment products. Tina is also actively involved in standards writing groups, contributing to the revision of existing standards and the development of new ones. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, and Management from Penn State University.

Senior VicePresident, IAPMO R&T's Water System Program

I am a general manager and an civil engineer served in the Korea Water Resources Corporation. I have had extensive experiences in the water sector including water resources development, overseas projects, climate change adaptation and corporate strategy since 2005. Currently, I am leading the global marketing and project development leveraging the digital water management technology in the water utility such as digital twin water management platform, AI-enabled water treatment plant and smart water network management of K-water.

General Manager, K-water

Shayna joined SWAN in 2020 driven by her passion for collaborating for a resilient world. She held the role of Events Director, overseeing annual conferences, partner events, and international webinars, and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer, helping programmes and strategic initiatives run smoothly. Shayna also acts as the organisation’s focal point for the global SWAN Digital Twin Work Group and SWAN Interoperable Utility Group. Before joining SWAN, she completed an MBA specialising in environmental sustainability.

COO, SWAN Forum

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

Senior aquatisch ecoloog en waterkwaliteitsadviseur bij Witteveen+Bos
Wat is waterkwaliteit? Voor wie en wat is het belangrijk en hoe verbeter je het? Dat zijn vragen die Marloes al sinds jongs af aan bezig houden.
Als afgestudeerde Wageningen ging ze aan de slag bij waterschappen en Witteveen+Bos. Hierbij specialiseerde ze zich in de KRW en alles wat hier betrekking tot op heeft. Hoe doe je een goede analyse, welke tools zet je in? Hoe kom je tot beleid, hoe formuleer je maatregelen en voer je deze uit. Maar ook hoe geef je VTH vorm, en hoe toets je nu aan de KRW. Marloes is op alle vlakken werkzaam en geeft onder meer cursus over de KRW. Laat je dus verwonderen.

Senior aquatisch ecoloog en waterkwaliteitsadviseur bij Witteveen+Bos

Recognized water innovator, advocate, and entrepreneur, who led the development and commercialization of one of the world’s first Smart Sewer technologies, a game-changing, AI-fueled, wastewater optimization solution that is currently being applied in more than 40 cities around the world.
Now leveraging over 25 years of personal experience in Smart Sewer applications, to consult to forward-thinking utilities and commercial users of water. My goal is to help clients do more with less – improving performance while identifying cost-savings – through the use of Real Time Decision Support Systems, which combines IoT sensing, Digital Twin modeling, and advanced optimization engines.

Principal, HydroDigital

Head of Country, Samotics

EZMEMS

Gerrald Bargeman obtained his MSc and PhD degree at the University of Twente, and worked for Shell R&D and NIZO Food Research before joining AkzoNobel in 2002. At AkzoNobel and its divested businesses Nouryon and Nobian, Gerrald held scientific and leadership roles. Currently, he is Process Technology Specialist and part-time professor at the University of Twente, where he holds the chair “Membranes for Harsh Conditions”. Gerrald is (co-)author of approximately 50 peer reviewed journal publications.

Process Technology Specialist and Part-time Professor Membranes for Harsh Conditions, Nobian Industrial Chemical B.V

Joost is co-owner and managing director of Paques Biomaterials. He is also member of the supervisory board of (previously family owned) Paques Holding b.v., as well as board member with a few organisations like Suspacc and BEstart. In the past, Joost was executive leadership team member of Paques Global, managing director of Paques Europe and business developer at Paques Environmental Technology in Shanghai. Before that he worked at Accenture for 4 years. Joost studied at Delft, University of Technology and at Insead Business School in Fontainebleau, France. Paques Biomaterials is leading in the field of development and realization of PHA installations on the basis of organic waste streams. Paques Biomaterials uses naturally present micro-organisms and work from the BioBizz hub in Balk.

Managing director, Paques Biomaterials

With over 10 years of experience in the water sector, Nikki has developed her expertise in designing and optimizing water treatment systems. She has successfully implemented innovative and sustainable practices, ensuring efficiency and reliability across all operations. Furthermore, Nikki upholds high standards in monitoring and environmental compliance.

Manager Technology, Azulatis

Hendrik Swart has focused on sustainable water technologies since the start of his academic career, earning a Master's in Water Technology from the Wetsus Academy. At REDstack, he contributed to the development of the electromembrane stack, transitioning from R&D to process engineering. Now, as a Sales Engineer, he helps bring this technology to market, enabling industries to save water, chemicals, and reduce costs. At Aquatech, he will discuss solutions for the industrial sector.

Sales Engineer, REDstack BV

I´m glady to introduce myself
My name is Norbert Rademacher. I´m a HACH Application Development Manager and hold a degree in electrical and enviromental engineering.
I´ve been advising and supporting HACH customer for almost 30years this year with my expertise in industrial water applications and water cycle management.

Application Development Manager, HACH

Steven Lam is Head of Technology at Gradiant, a water technology company that strives to treat the toughest waters. Over the past 14 years he has developed technologies related to thermal desalination, OARO, semi-batch ro, advanced oxidation processes, PFAS removal, and many more. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and specializes in thermodynamics and product commercialization.

Head of Technology, Gradiant

Sustainable Water & Green Energy

Sandro Hansen is a seasoned sanitary and environmental engineer with over two decades of experience in water and wastewater treatment systems across large industrial and sanitation sectors. He holds postgraduate degrees in business management and water desalination and reuse, complemented by certifications in machine learning and artificial intelligence. His career encompasses consultancy roles in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Currently, as an application specialist at Turing, a company specializing in digital solutions for water systems, Sandro leverages his expertise to enhance operational safety and efficiency. Turing's platforms, such as TOP Clear, provide digital solutions throughout the water lifecycle, aiming to reduce total water costs and improve reliability.

Application Specialist, Turing

Dawaco

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

Bart is a Hach Application Development Manager for drinking water and desalination applications for the region EMEA. He holds a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering of Hogeschool van Utrecht, The Netherlands. Bart joined Hach Company in 2016 as sales engineer for the municipal market in The Netherlands and joined the EMEA ADM team in 2021. Before joining HACH, Bart worked in sales and product management roles with pumps, analyzers and integrated solutions.

Application Development Manager, Hach (Dr. Lange Nederland B.V.)

Mark Mainzinger is the Product Manager at Fluid Equipment Development Company (FEDCO). FEDCO supplies pumps, energy recovery turbochargers, and innovative solutions for RO applications. Mark is responsible for managing FEDCO’s product lines including design enhancements, product line maintenance, and launching new products. Mark joined FEDCO in 2021 as an Applications / Project Engineer where he was responsible for managing critical and technically challenging projects and applications.

Product Manager, Fedco USA

Director (Blueprofs) & Energy Management  Project Coordinator (Waternet)

Operational Capex Implementation Manager –  Wastewater Operations (Southern Water)

AQC项目经理, Project Manager, Aquatech China

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

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

Vice-President Business Development, Atoco

10+ Years active within gas and water as a consultant, entrepreneur and board member in various companies.
Co-founder of DALI Pipeline Monitoring DALI is a pipeline monitoring solution aimed at optimizing water asset management and increasing network resilience, by providing real time information about a pipeline’s performance and integrity, using fiber optic sensing.
Co-founder and CEO of Fiberflux Fiberflux develops the hardware needed to implement (fiber optic) cables inside of pipelines, as a part of DALI Pipeline Monitoring, but also stand alone for fiber communication networks or other applications.
Board member of a gas and water solutions company focused on pipe systems and leak detection services.

Co-owner, DALI Pipeline Monitoring

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

​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

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

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

DuPont

EMEA Business Development Lead - Power & Utilities

Mathematics graduate. Before joining Canal de Isabel II in 1992, Javier worked for Andersen Consulting and Isdefe (Spanish Ministry of Defence). Currently working for Canal de Isabel II, he carried out duties as R&D analyst, Head of Software Development and IT. Since 2007, as Deputy Director of Instrumentation, Control, Automation, Telecommunications, Metrology, the Control Centre and Digital Transformation. Javier is also a member of IWA’s Governing Assembly, IWA’s Strategic Council and leads EUREAU’s Joint Working Group for Innovation.

Deputy Director –  Telecontrol (Canal de Isabel II)

Charlotte Stewart,  Strategic Account Executive (Samotics)

Biography
Anders Carlberg has embarked on an international IT career, seamlessly blending a passion for supporting start-ups. His journey, marked by navigating diverse cultures and spearheading tech innovations, reflects constant evolution and learning. Each milestone underscores invaluable lessons in leadership, adaptability, and the transformative power of collaboration.
As a fervent advocate for fostering global innovation ecosystems, he stands in Amsterdam, tirelessly leveraging technology to drive positive change and unlock boundless opportunities for the future.

Cofounder & Director of Customer Success, Waltero

(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

Ben began his journey at Aqua Membranes in testing, gaining hands-on experience with membrane technology and design. What started as a technical role quickly evolved into a deeper passion for understanding how innovation can drive real-world solutions. This foundation in the lab paved the way for Ben’s current role as product and marketing manager, where he combines his background in environmental planning and design with a focus on building strong relationships and sharing compelling stories.
In his current work, Ben collaborates with engineers, researchers, and customers to deliver cutting-edge water treatment solutions that are both effective and sustainable. He is proud to be part of Aqua Membranes’ mission to revolutionize reverse osmosis technology and make clean, sustainable water more accessible. Ben looks forward to sharing insights and ideas from his journey in this rapidly evolving industry and discussing how we can continue to innovate for a better future.

Marketing Manager, Aqua Membranes

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

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

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

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

I am a consultant helping manufacturers and other organizations with product certification strategies focusing in the areas of POU / POE, Drinking Water Treatment, and Municipal Distribution. 
I am a voting member of the NSF Joint Committee on Drinking Water Treatment Units.
Leveraging the unique knowledge developed over 24+ years with NSF, while authoring over 200 trade publication articles, and presenting dozens of seminars around the globe, I can assist with deep technical understanding and a proven ability to craft bespoke solutions for specific situations and aspirations.

Consultant, Rick Andrew Consulting Services

Jeremy Pollack is the Director of Government Affairs for the Water Quality Association (WQA), where he leads the association’s legislative and regulatory efforts at the global, federal, state, and local levels. He is spearheading key initiatives on behalf of WQA members, including efforts related to PFAS, lead, and rural water quality. Jeremy was named one of The Hill’s top lobbyists for 2024 and recently appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC), which advises the U.S. government on strategies to enhance exports while ensuring environmental, safety, and regulatory standards.
Prior to WQA, Jeremy was the Manager of Federal and Global Government Affairs for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), where he served as the chief liaison to Congress and federal agencies. He was instrumental in educating lawmakers on energy and refrigeration standards and building partnerships with key government agencies, including DHS, DOE, and NIST.
Jeremy’s experience also includes consulting for Gephardt Government Affairs and serving in the offices of former Congressman Jared Polis and Governor John Hickenlooper, when he was vice-chair of the bipartisan National Governors Association.

Director of Government Affairs, Water Quality Association

Xylem

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

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/

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