Headworks, Inc., recently announced it has acquired the business of Hydroxyl Services, Inc. of Canada, and is integrating those resources into its Headworks Bio group that produces systems to turn wastewater into useful water needed in the U.S. and Europe as well as in South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Agencies estimate that some 1.1 billion people, or one-sixth of the world's population, are without clean water, and some 2.6 billion are without sanitation. Worldwide water shortages are expected by 2050, according to the World Water Council. By 2030, nearly half the world’s people will be living in regions of acute water shortage, the United Nations said.
“A major cause of health and economic problems is lack of disease-free water for washing, irrigation and commercial use in many parts of the world, and Headworks has the technology to help solve these problems,” Headworks Chief Executive Michele LaNoue said.
Hydroxyl engineers and scientists will be added immediately to Headworks Bio staff to accelerate work on reuseable water systems, LaNoue said. She said the company was increasing its presence in many regions of the world.
Hydroxyl is a provider of moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) and integrated fix-film activated sludge technologies for the wastewater industry. The process uses small but highly efficient polyethylene modules to attract and grow bacteria cultures that help produce reusable water. It often doubles the flow capacity of treatment plants. Both companies have extensive experience among municipal, industrial and marine applications using this technology.
MBBR has proven to be a successful, sustainable and economically attractive solution and ranks as a substantial potential market product, a report from Frost & Sullivan said. It is ideally suited for upgrade and expansion of existing plants, and meets new stringent environmental legislation on the discharge of wastewater implemented in developed nations, the report added.
Hydroxyl clients include ship builders and cruise lines such as STX Europe, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and BC Ferries.
“The real issue for Headworks is to help nations, states, cities and villages generate clean water,” LaNoue said. “We are determined to make a positive difference in this enormous worldwide problem.”
Source: Headworks, Inc.