Compared to developed countries, wastewater treated in India is abysmally low. Your views
On a global level, individual countries and regions can tackle critical problems presented by water-stressed areas by treating it as a scarce resource and thereby managing demand. Following global trends on management of wastewater, we are seeing an increased adoption of wastewater recycling and reuse in India. Having said that, we certainly can do more to promote wider adoption of wastewater treatment and recycling by increased engagement from both private and public sectors. While water access in the big cities of India is high on average, significant gaps remain across the country, and wastewater treatment remains national average of around 33%. States that are large municipal waste water generators can potentially treat all of the of their urban waste water and reduce load on fresh water for India. Making water available for industrial use will drive industrial growth, as water security is key for Industries. At the same time additional fresh water will be available for urban populations driving urban growth.
How has your company performed in the last three years?
DuPont has made four acquisitions to strengthen its portfolio and serve its customers better. We acquired inge GmbH, an ultrafiltration membrane business acquired from BASF. Then we acquired Memcor®, the ultrafiltration and membrane bioreactor (MBR) technologies division from Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. We also acquired Desalitech, a closed-circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO) company. CCRO technology addresses increasing needs for high water recovery in core market segments such as food and beverage, municipal, microelectronics, power and others; and OxyMem, a company that develops and produces Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) technology for the treatment and purification of municipal and industrial wastewater. In general, our business is still growing and has a great potential to expand further.
How big is the market for water and wastewater treatment in India? How much market share do you command and what are your plans for expanding your market share?
The water and wastewater market growth rate in India is estimated to be at 10% CAGR. We currently enjoy a leading position but we would like to further strengthen our position as we are now a leading solution provider in global water technology space with the broadest, proven, end-to-end multi-technology portfolio. This is supported by our unrivaled team of experts present locally.
Can you please take us through your water and wastewater management vertical? What are the services in water and wastewater you offer for the Indian market?
DuPont Water Solutions has a multi-tech portfolio. At DuPont, we take an active interest to understand the key requirement of customers and customize a solution that works efficiently and economically in the long run – be it UF, MBR or RO. Ultrafiltration, which reduces the pressure on the RO membrane and increases the life of the reverse osmosis membrane is critical for ecological sustainability. Our FilmTec™ Fortilife™ product series is crucial for ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge), which improves water economy by 95% and will be a game-changer in this decade. Reverse osmosis (RO), and nanofiltration (NF) elements help our industrial and domestic consumers with reduced water costs and lower operating expenses, achieve sustainability goals, minimized biofouling problems, and move towards minimal liquid discharge (MLD). Similarly, CCRO by Desalitech, a DuPont acquired business, provides an easy, reliable, efficient, and advanced water purification system that saves more water with less cost and operational challenges, which guarantees a maximum water recovery rate of up to 98%.
Mempulse® MBR systems from DuPont Water Solutions employs an advanced wastewater treatment process that combines activates sludge treatment with MEMCOR® membrane filtration resulting in superior effluent quality at a reduced lifecycle cost. The system delivers a stable membrane environment, operational flexibility and reduced maintenance requirements resulting in significant cost saving. The MemPulse MBR system has a proven track record of achieving superior effluent quality in a reduced footprint and at a lower life-cycle cost in the most challenging environments. The system is successfully operating in applications ranging from municipal wastewater plants to the most difficult industrial applications such as oil refineries.
What are the new technologies you have brought in to expedite wastewater treatment?
The latest technology we have brought about is the closed circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO) technology. It is easy to design and operate, is reliable with inherent biofouling and scaling resilience that can cut maintenance in half and dramatically reduce system downtime. CCRO technology is efficient with typical recoveries of 90 - 98%, reducing feed water waste by 50 - 90%, also reducing related energy consumption, operation and maintenance expenses. Our MemPulse® MBR system delivers greater stability of the membrane environment, operational flexibility, and reduced maintenance requirements, resulting in significant cost savings. It is adaptable and flexible and can fit into any tank geometry.
Your take on the government policies and regulations and the tweaks required to propel the water and wastewater sector?
There is governmental support and incentives for technology development, implementation, and deployment, complemented by industries striving to achieve their sustainability goals and reduce carbon footprint. However, there is a need for more awareness and push for implementing, reusing and recycling water by the industries.
There is a paucity of skilled manpower in the water and wastewater sector? What are the steps you are taking to increase skilled manpower?
We collaborate with our local distributors, OEM partners and end-users, conducting various workshops and training to ensure that the latest technologies are introduced to the market. In addition, we have an intensive learning program for our employees to ensure that the team has the know-how while offering customized solutions to our customers. Water Acadamy-our free educational webinars and specialized classes, delivered by an industry-leading team of subject matter experts, are helping water industry professionals develop their skills and understanding throughout their careers. From tutorials for beginners to strategic discussions about tackling global issues.
Which are the sectors that will drive maximum revenue for your organization in FY2022-23?
We continue to focus on our four key, high-growth segments - industrial water & desalination, municipal water, residential & commercial and life sciences & specialties.
What are the growth plans for your organization for the next three years?
We will continue to strengthen our core capability, backed by our recent acquisitions. Our multi-technology offering will be a key differentiator and we will leverage that synergy to serve our customers better.
