The German water industry was well equipped to deal with the future, said Gunther Adler, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, speaking at the opening event of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL.
However, there were big challenges ahead, the results of climate change and digitisation, he said. In his view substantial amounts would soon be invested in the water industry, both in the fresh water infrastructure and wastewater disposal. The challenges and responsibilities ahead would pave the way for innovations. According to him what set WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL apart was its comprehensive approach and the role as a hub and gathering place for water industry experts from Germany and abroad.
In his statement at the opening of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL, Deputy Minister of Energy and Head of Water and Wastewater for Iran Rahim Meidani noted the long-standing good relations and excellent cooperation between his country and Germany. He emphasised that there had been significant developments in Iran’s water industry. Thus, over 90 per cent of the urban population had access to fresh water, while in rural areas the proportion was 72 per cent. This was due to the long distances that had to be covered. In general, the fresh water infrastructure was outstanding. Meidani encouraged the German water industry to invest in the fresh water infrastructure and wastewater disposal in Iran and get a foothold in the market.
Secretary at the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises Christian Rickerts pointed out that this year WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL had come of age and was celebrating eighteenth anniversary. According to Rickerts, Berlin had numerous water industry training and research institutions, a corresponding competence centre, while the water utility company Berliner Wasserbetriebe was a strong system provider. He also saw digitisation offering huge opportunities for the water industry. In that context he noted that many innovative startups had set up business in the city.
‘Only water, but everything about water’. The slogan of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL was particularly apt, said Andreas Schweitzer, chairman of the advisory committee and sales head of Hermann Sewerin GmbH, speaking at the opening event. He emphasised the fair’s comprehensive approach and that it reflected the water industry’s entire value chain. This was very important for exhibitors, and with expert trade visitors present in such large numbers their full concentration would be guaranteed. WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL was a strong basis and gathering place especially for medium-sized enterprises, said Schweitzer. “WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL is a business, innovation and information platform combined in one”, he added.
”Berlin is an outstanding venue for this fair“, said Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, in his opening speech. This year the number of foreign exhibitors had increased up to 25 per cent, and 140 companies were exhibiting for the first time at the fair. In addition to the fair’s comprehensive approach, what also set the event apart was its high international participation. The organisers were expecting numerous foreign delegations to attend, including from Costa Rica, Ghana, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Croatia, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Iran, Hungary, Russia, China, Japan and Korea.
Opening tour of the fair
Wells meet climate change demands
During the opening tour of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL the focus was on the business opportunities available to German companies abroad and on integrating young people in the economy and industry. At WASsERLEBEN, the interactive show for the public, State Secretary for the Environment Gunther Adler and Iran’s Deputy Minister Rahim Meidani learned how in Germany young people are informed about the responsibilities and opportunities offered by the water industry. On the stand of the gas and water industry providers managing director Gotthard Graß explained how In Jordan wells from the last century are restored in order to meet the challenges of climate change and energy shortages. On the stand of the Associations of the German Water Industry, Wastewater and Waste, regional water management head Berthold Niehues explained why clear regulations where necessary for clean water. At the end of the tour Adler promised his colleague from Iran that “the next time I am in Iran I will bring these gentlemen along too!“
Presentation of the GSTT Awards 2017 at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL
On the first day of the fair at the opening event of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2017 the presentation took place of the Awards of the German Society for Trenchless Technology (GSTT). The event was hosted by chairman of the board Professor Jens Hölterhoff. The HD Wrap Tech Solution project received the GSTT Gold Award 2017. The project was commissioned by Porsche AG, and the development company was HD Sanierungstechnik GmbH. The project entitled ‘Renovation of shafts with in-house designed SF rails’ received the GSTT Silver Award 2017. This was commissioned by the council of Brannenburg, and the development company was Swietelsky-Faber GmbH. Two projects abroad also received GSTT awards. Gold went to the Dhaka Water Supply Sector Development Project. This was commissioned by the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewage Authority in Bangladesh. Silver went to the project entitled ‘Danube Undercrossing – Interconnector Romania – Bulgaria’, commissioned by Transgaz & Bulgartransgaz.
The GSTT Awards recognise outstanding trenchless construction projects. The aim of the GSTT Awards is to paint a positive image and raise awareness among the public, the public sector and political authorities for trenchless construction and its many advantages. By honouring outstanding projects the aim is to emphasise the many opportunities that this technology offers, the potential savings compared to surface construction methods, and the resources available in where managing the environment is concerned.
akvola Technologies GmbH
AkvoFloat™ combines flotation and filtration functions
This year, at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL akvola Technologies GmbH from Berlin is presenting its akvoFloat™ method for treating highly contaminated water and wastewater from industrial sources. According to Johanna Ludwig, the technical manager of akvola Technologies, ”The akvoFloat™ method lets our membranes function steadily with high throughputs and without fouling in areas where conventional methods reach their limits.” The internationally patented hybrid akvoFloat™ method combines flotation and filtration functions and features innovative ceramic flat-filter membranes. Both methods separate oil, fat, lubricants and solids completely in a single tank from water while saving energy costs. Depending on the application, different ceramic materials are used such as aluminium oxide and silicone carbide, and different parameters are selected such as the dimensions and pore size. The fully automatic control unit also functions under heavily fluctuating input loads.
Hall 2.2, Stand 200, press contact: Lucas Leon, tel.: + 49 30 314 75656, email: [email protected], internet: www.akvola.com
ARISU GmbH
Treatment with no loss of water
ARISU technology has been designed for the treatment of water from various resources. At WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL the company is displaying membrane solutions which are adapted to different water resources. Also included is ARISU AQUA COMPACT, a solution that can be applied in enclosed spaces. It is available in a number of sizes and purifies water without the use of chemicals, which are also not necessary for cleaning the membrane. It does not need its own operating personnel and uses less than 70 per cent of the electrical energy required for standard reverse osmosis solutions.
ARISU AQUA COMPACT has been chosen by many non-governmental organisations for use in African countries, because reverse osmosis units in fresh water projects normally consume over 30 per cent of the original water and, in the case of plants with a capacity of 1,000 litres per hour, this can result in annual losses in excess of 2.5 million litres , With ARISU AQUA COMPACT there is no water loss at all.
Hall 2.2, Stand 209, press contact: Florian Wolters, tel.: + 49 1787878350, email: [email protected], internet: www.arisu-gmbh.de
FAMI Deutschland GmbH
Quality, modular construction, versatility, and with a modern design
Store Van is exhibiting for the first time at this year’s WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. Quality, modular construction, versatility and up-to-date design are the main features of the programme of equipment and fittings for vehicles of all kinds, which can be custom-built for installation in delivery vans, high capacity transporters or caravans. Among the advantages offered by Store Van are flexible equipment, individual solutions, a wide range of accessories, rapid installation and the high levels of safety provided by crash testing. Store Van claims to be the world’s only manufacturer of equipment and fittings made with galvanised sheet metal and cathodic dip coating, making each individual part highly resistant to corrosion. With 80 years of experience in shaping sheet metal Store Van can offer such unique features as troughs with a length of more than 2,000 millimetres and drawers with a width of up to 1,225 millimetres.
Hall 1.2, Stand 420, press contact: Chiara Arnone, tel.: +49 8221 278713,
email: [email protected], internet: www.fami.de
JUMO GmbH & Co. KG
Digital sensors for fluid analysis
JUMO is presenting digiLine, an innovative, bus-capable connection system for the digital sensors used in fluid analysis, with integrated sensor management. The latest addition to the range are the digital sensor versions for the main parameters of water disinfection such as free chlorine, total chlorine, ozone, hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid. Together with the pH and redox sensors that are already available, users now have an extensive portfolio of digital sensors at their disposal for use in fluid analysis. These are connected to an evaluation or control unit by a single digital signal cable. This enables more efficient and faster connection of installations in which simultaneous readings of parameters have to be taken at a wide variety of points. Typical applications include the monitoring of swimming pools, and of drinking, industrial , process and cooling water. The system is supplied with DSM software (digital sensor management) enabling the necessary parametrisation of sensors and the documentation of the test point to be carried out easily in the laboratory.
Hall 3.2, Stand 305, press contact: Michael Brosig, tel.: +49 661 6003238,
email: [email protected], internet: www.jumo.net
silvertexaqua GmbH
Innovative alternative to chemical biocides
This company, based in Hoppegarten, is presenting silvertex®, an innovative product for the conservation of drinking, industrial, production, cooling and process water, which is on display for the first time at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2017. Developed in Germany and protected by worldwide patents, silvertex® is claimed to be a genuine alternative to chemical biocides and provides water and installations with effective and lasting protection against bacteria and the formation of biofilms. Its outstanding features are its ease of use and automated dosage, which ensure excellent results even under difficult conditions. Based on the tried and tested antibacterial properties of silver, in combination with a high distance, high performance material, silvertex© provides a completely new range with numerous applications. Plant operators can now provide an effective response to the growing demands by businesses and industry for protection against legionella, e.coli and pseudomonads, and can meet their requirements for a reduction in the emission of environmental pollutants.
Hall 2.2, Stand 309g, press contact: Birgit Dürsch, tel.: +49 172 3209491,
email: [email protected], internet: www.silvertex-aqua.de
Watson-Marlow GmbH
High flow accuracy through the optimised use of chemicals
In its display at the trade show Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) is emphasising the benefits of peristaltic pumps for the water and sewage industries. Such pumps operate with great precision, need little maintenance and are very reliable. In contrast to many other types, peristaltic pumps do not require any other additional components such as valves or seals. The only parts exposed to wear are the flexible pipe and the pump head. The innovative Qdos controlled volume pumps can deliver up to 120 litres per hour at a pressure of up to 7 bar. Compared with other pumps their outstanding pumping accuracy leads to significant improvements in terms of the amount of chemicals used. Qdos is available in three different sizes. All these models are suitable for the most demanding controlled volume applications in the treatment and disinfection of water, management of the pH value and the controlled volume application of precipitants and coagulation aids, reagents and chemicals.
Hall 2.2, Stand 208, press contact: Dominik Endres, tel.: +89 55263090,
email: [email protected], internet: www.watson-marlow.com
Scientific Year 2016*17
Greenpeace and its fight against plastic waste in the oceans
The microbeads in cosmetics play a significant part in the pollution of the oceans, and Greenpeace is drawing attention to this situation with its stand at the WASsERLEBEN show for the public at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. These minute pieces of plastic are added to cosmetics to improve their cleaning properties, and they find their way through sewage treatment plants and into the sea, where they are eaten or absorbed by fish and birds and in this way enter the food chain. But the oceans are also being increasingly polluted by larger items of refuse. According to Greenpeace some 265 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually. It is estimated that 5 trillion pieces of plastic are floating on the ocean’s surface alone. Ocean currents cause this plastic to collect in enormous vortexes. The world’s largest such ‘trash vortex’, with a diameter equal in size to Central Europe, is circulating in the middle of the Pacific. It can take up to 450 years for some plastic components to decay. Greenpeace is demanding a ban on the use of plastics in cosmetics and, with its stand at the fair, it is seeking to persuade visitors to reduce the amount of plastic that they use and to exercise greater care in the way that they deal with refuse.
Hall 6.2, Stand 101, contact: Leonhard Dünnwald, tel.: +49 163 1592845, email: [email protected], internet: www.greenpeace.berlin
Scientific Year 2016*17
Blue Quiz tests knowledge about the sea
The Scientific Year 2016*17, is devoted to the oceans, and is one of the topics at the WASsERLEBEN show for the public at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. It is featured on a stand that offers plenty of opportunities to get actively involved and ask questions. Projects such as the Citizens-Science campaign ‘Plastic Pirates’ or ‘My mobile coastal laboratory‘ can be found in the flyers and brochures available there. ‘The Blue Quiz’ is a fun way of learning some surprising things about the world’s oceans, of which only ten per cent has been explored. Their biosphere is also under serious threat as a result of human activities. Visitors can make use of the Microscope Station to carry out experiments and become acquainted with tiny aquatic organisms which are invisible to the naked eye. Volunteer school assistants will be providing expert information and will be helping to make research a fascinating experience.
Hall 6.2, Stand 209, contact: Katharina Kummer, tel.: +49 30 818777181, email: [email protected], internet: www.germantoilet.org