<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

Elad began his professional career as a research and development engineer in MABR (Membrane Aerated Bioreactor) technology - starting with the small lab-scale pilot  throughout all the development stages until he served as an engineer who led the planning and running of MABR facilities in various parts of the world.
Later on, he served as a technologist (CTO) for a 300 MLD desalination plant.  As part of his role, he worked tirelessly for economic and environmental efficiency, while developing a unique algorithm and applying advanced engineering techniques. Among other things, for example, he initiated and worked to change LG's membrane production method, developed a method to optimize membrane replacement, and was responsible for significant savings in chemical consumption by developing techno-economic models to create optimal processes. 
At the same time as his work in industry, Elad is an academic lecturer in a  Chemical Engineering Faculty, and works regularly to educate the future generation.  As part of his various positions, he made sure to adopt students to carry out a final project, who also won several academic awards.  Today, Elad serves as CTO at All e Water, in which he leads a number of technological developments that we may all benefit from in the future.

CTO, All e Water

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

Application Technology Manager

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

Director at Policontrol, specialized in sales and market development with solid experience in the consumer goods segment. Raphael has a comprehensive career, working at both local and international levels, excelling in communication and negotiation strategies for B2C and B2B markets, as well as in project development and implementation.
Professional Experience:
Director of Sales and Market Development | Policontrol
Leading sales management and market development, focusing on product expansion and consolidation. Developing innovative products both online and in laboratory environments, tailored to market needs. Implementing effective communication and negotiation strategies to maximize results in B2C and B2B markets. Proven ability to adapt to multicultural environments and solve problems quickly under pressure.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Advertising & Marketing | Universidade Paulista Specialization in Applied Statistics | University of Colorado Boulder (2013)
Skills:
Sales Management Market Development Communication and Negotiation Product Development Adaptation to Multicultural Environments Problem-Solving Under Pressure
 Languages:
Portuguese (Native) English (Advanced)

Operations Director, Policontrol

Prof. Eric D. van Hullebusch received his PhD (Aquatic Chemistry and Microbiology) from Université de Limoges (France) in 2002. From November 2002 until October 2004, he was a Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow at Wageningen University & Research (the Netherlands) where his research focused on the optimization of anaerobic granular sludge reactors by studying the speciation, bioavailability and dosing strategies of trace metals. In 2005, he was appointed as associate professor in biogeochemistry of engineered ecosystems at Université Paris-Est (France). From September 2016 until August 2018, he worked at IHE Delft as chair professor in Environmental Science and Technology and head of the Pollution Prevention and Resource Recovery chair group. In September 2018, he joined Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (France) as full professor in Biogeochemistry of engineered ecosystems. Prof. van Hullebusch has published more than 295 peer-reviewed papers (17000+ citations, h-index 68) in the field of biogeochemistry of metals and metalloids in engineered ecosystems. His research is currently mostly focusing on the implementation of novel biohydrometallurgical approaches for the recovery of technology critical elements as well as polluted soils (bio)remediation with a particular focus on Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Full Professor, Institut de physique du globe de Paris / Université Paris Cité

CEO, VWMS GmbH (Coliminder)

Kyle Postmus has over 11 years of experience in the water treatment industry and serves as the Global Program Leader for water treatment products, overseeing the certification of residential and commercial water treatment devices and municipal filters. He has been with NSF since 2013 and is an active observer on the DWTU (drinking water treatment units) Jand Public Drinking Water Equipement Performance Joint Committees.
Previously, Kyle served as NSF’s Test Technician for the Drinking Water Treatment Systems Lab, Project Manager in Water Treatment Chemicals and Filtration Media, and Senior Technical Manager of the DWTU Program. These teams help ensure the quality and safety of products used across the water industry.
His areas of expertise include:
Water quality issues and regulations NSF/ANSI standards and the standards development process Technical sales support and operational optimization Residential POU and POE water treatment devices

Global Program Leader - Water Treatment and Biosafety Cabinetry, NSF

Head of Business Analytics (Scottish Water)

Co-Founder & COO (Riverkin)

Van Leur studeerde aan de Wageningen UR Bodem, Water en Atmosfeer. Ze kwam in 1994 via een stage bij Meteo Consult terecht, waar ze bijna vijf jaar weerberichten voor kranten, radio en televisie verzorgde. Ze werkt freelance sinds april 1997 als weervrouw voor de televisiezenders van RTL.
Naast haar werkzaamheden voor televisie schrijft ze artikelen en columns over haar kennis en ervaringen en verzorgt ze lezingen over weer, klimaat en duurzaamheid. In oktober 2011 maakte ze als weerkundige deel uit van Solar Team Twente tijdens de World Solar Challenge: een zonne-auto race van ruim 3000 km dwars door Australië. Ook hierover werd een televisieprogramma gemaakt.
Twintig jaar lang presenteerde Van Leur het weerbericht bij de nieuwsuitzendingen van RTL 4. Op 30 juni 2017 deed ze dat voor de laatste keer. Vanaf 5 juli 2017 presenteerde ze de wekelijkse weerrubriek Wat een weer bij RTL Late Night.

Meteoroloog, Helga van Leur

CEo & CoFounder, HULO.ai

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

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

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

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

Head of Business Development , Oxyle

Tim van Hattum is Head of the Green Climate Solutions Programme at Wageningen University & Research and one of the initiators of The Netherland 2120. He is keynote speaker and author of the book the Only Planet Climate Guide for the 21st century. Tim is an expert in water management, climate adaptation and nature-based solutions with 25 years of experience as consult, policy advisor and researcher.

Head of the Green Climate Solutions Programme. Wageningen University & Research

Boom Chicago is an international creative group based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that writes and performs sketch and improvisational comedy at their theater on the Rozengracht.
The group performs their own shows and hosts outside productions at their theater on the Rozengracht. The venue with three theaters also houses Boom Chicago for Business, and the Boom Chicago Academy and InterActing, their program for teenagers with autism.
Shows performed at Boom Chicago examine a range of subjects including privacy, the role of technology, Europe, the extreme right, Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, 9/11, social media, the gig economy, AI and the Metaverse.
Comedy Central News (CCN), a news show on the Dutch Comedy Central TV channel, was created by Boom Chicago

The world-class improvisers

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

Founder & CEO, Orb

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

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

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

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

Professional with extensive international experience in the water treatment industry, with knowledge on the use of specialty chemicals as well as monitoring and control instrumentation.
Diana began her career working in the United Kingdom in the specialty chemicals industry for industrial water treatment systems, reverse osmosis and Geothermal applications, where her passion for preserving the integrity of water treatment facilities under challenging operating conditions emerged.
This experience fueled her interest towards the use of monitoring and control technologies for KPI´s in water treatment systems. Working now for Pyxis Lab. North American engineering company focused on the development of online monitoring instrumentation, she continues to contribute to optimizing processes, preserving facilities and sharing innovative solutions to service companies and water doctors, whom she has been supporting from the start.

Vice-President Commercial - EMEA & LATAM

Sales manager, Danfoss

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)

Shintaro Mori holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in materials science from Osaka Prefecture University in Japan. Since 2002, he has been a researcher at Kurita Water Industries Ltd., specializing in water treatment technologies, particularly for boiler and cooling water systems.
With a strong background in electrochemistry and corrosion protection, he has presented his research at international conferences. As an engineer, he has significantly enhanced the efficiency of water treatment processes, resulting in substantial cost savings and environmental benefits.
He is also an active member of the Japan Industrial Standards Committee (JIS) and the Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society. Additionally, he holds certifications as an Environmental Measurement Specialist and an Energy Manager.

Senior Chief Researcher, Kurita Water Industries

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

Dr. Liviu Mantescu is the founder and CEO of Watergenics GmbH in Berlin. 
He wrote extensively on natural capital, ecosystem services, and the challenges of industrial wastewater treatment.
Liviu’s book “Margins and Nature: Effectiveness in Environmental Governance” (forthcoming) deals with these challenges.

Founder, Watergenics

Vice-President Business Development, Atoco

Jorien has joined Orb as Chief Scientist after obtaining her PhD on biostability and microbial monitoring of drinking water at Ghent University in 2023. She is an expert in online monitoring technologies and focuses on applied research and development of microbial sensors for utilities, industry and reuse applications for Orb.

Chief Scientist, Orb

Liang-Shin Wang is a PhD candidate in Biopolymer from Water Theme at Wetsus and Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research focuses on a renewable semi-crystalline biopolymer, polyhydroxyalkanoates, with the aim of integrating the polymer recovery process with solution processing to membranes and films. Her experience has been on projects related to polymer properties modulation, membrane formulation, and performance analysis.

Pamela Moussa is a PhD researcher in the field of biofilm control and sustainable disinfection methods for drinking water systems. Affiliated with Wetsus and the University of Groningen, her work focuses on identifying natural, sustainable compounds to safely manage microbial contamination in water distribution systems. Her research aims to replace traditional chemical disinfectants, like chlorine, with non-toxic alternatives, understand their mechanism of action, and produce a cost-effective disinfection protocols to be used in contingency situations.

Involved since 2019 in the development of a multiclient industrial water supply and wastewater treatment facility owned by North Water BV in the area of Delfzijl, The Netherlands. From conceptual design of the water utility plant in the early days of the project, through the actual realization, involved in many aspects of the project. Part of the plant is taken into operation and we expect the full plant to be operational in 2025.

Process technologist, North Water

Dr. Perryman received a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis, where his research focused on synthesis and operando characterization of Earth-abundant electrocatalysts. He performed postdoctoral research at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, as well as at the Chemical Engineering department of Stanford University where research efforts were dedicated to developing bipolar membrane electrolyzers for hydrogen production from seawater. He is the CTO of Brineworks, based in Amsterdam, NL.

Chief Technology Officer, Brineworks

Presenter Biographic
Dave Wilson has a BSc in Applied Geology from the University of Birmingham, UK and started his career working with groundwater sampling and monitoring instrumentation. He has spent the last 18 years installing and maintaining sensors in Drinking Water and WasteWater applications and has delivered teaching material on the real world use of monitoring technology in treatment plants around the world. Having helped to integrate and build In-Situs Process monitoring business he is now the Vice President of Global Sales for In-Situ.

Vice President of Global Sales, In Situ

Adriaan holds master degrees in electromechanical engineering and industrial management, and received a PhD (2013) in mechanical engineering at the University of Leuven for research on predictive maintenance. For six years he held the position of manufacturing lead customer advisory Western Europe at the analytics software company SAS. Currently, he is the Chief Customer Officer at Timeseer.AI. Adriaan has more than 10 years of experience in making impact with data and advanced analytics.

CCO, Timeseer.AI

LG Sonic BV

Jan van den Broek, MSc is managing director of NSI Byosis BV. He is co-founder of the company that he started in 2009 after having started his own engineering and project management company in 2006. Byosis became part of Nijhuis Saur Industries in 2022. He holds an degree of the University of Groningen in Chemical Engineering. In his previous life he held several positions in engineering and management and was a.o. plant manager of a large scale powerplant for a company now known as Engie. He is passionate about process technology and sustainable solutions, however learned in practice, while growing his business, that economy is always a bigger driver than sustainability is. The best solution therefore is a solution that is not only a more sustainable one, but also the one that suits a customer’s business purposes. In his presentation he will deep dive into technical and economical criteria for the advanced ammonia recovery technology Byosis has developed.

Co-founder/managing director, Byosis, part of the Nijhuis Saur Industries

Director Desarrollo de Negocio Agua, COX

Paul Buijs holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology. He is active in water since 1990, in roles varying from research to consultancy and from sales to management. Paul has extensive experience in conventional water treatment, including desalination pretreatment and brackish and seawater reverse osmosis systems. From early 2018 to end of 2021, he was Center Liaison Officer for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC)in Saudi Arabia, where he set up industrial scale translational research, working together with both governmental and private stakeholders. In 2022, he founded FirstWater Consultancy FZ-LLC (1st:water), based in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE). 1st:water focusses on innovation acceleration, validation and valorization, water treatment design and optimization, and strategic partnership development.

Founder, 1st:water

Michael Baird - President & Owner, Aquamor, LLC
Michael Baird is a recognized leader in the water filtration and treatment industry, currently serving as President and Owner of Aquamor, LLC. With a career spanning decades, Michael has been at the forefront of innovation in water purification, holding over 20 patents in the space. His expertise has positioned Aquamor as a premier manufacturer of high-quality water filtration products, proudly made in the USA.
Michael's industry influence extends beyond his company. He has been deeply involved with the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Water Research Foundation, playing a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and best practices. In the 1990s, he was involved in the formation of the WQA World Assembly, which helped establish WQA groups in numerous countries, driving international collaboration and industry growth.
Prior to founding Aquamor in 2004, Michael served as Vice President of Sales (water filtration division) at Sta-Rite Industries, where he successfully worked to build a water treatment business unit through acquisition and organic expansion. His entrepreneurial background also includes ownership of EZ2.NET and a partnership at Hydro-Flow Filtration starting in 1987, reinforcing his extensive knowledge of water filtration systems and technologies.
Today, Michael continues to support the advancement of the water filtration industry at both state and national levels, advocating for improved water quality standards, regulatory initiatives, and innovative technologies. His commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability ensures that Aquamor remains a trusted leader in water filtration, serving residential, commercial, and foodservice markets globally.

President, Aquamor

Mae provides strategic environmental and infrastructure policy expertise to a diverse range of corporate, municipal, and nonprofit clients. Prior to becoming a contract lobbyist, Stevens worked on Capitol Hill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Throughout this seven-year tenure, she focused most of her time on the intersection of water, equity, and affordability, and generally how to make cities and towns even better for the people who live and work there. 
Most recently, she served as Environmental Policy Advisor to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), handling the Senator’s responsibilities as a senior member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, including staffing the Senator during the crafting and passage of the FAST Act and the 2016 and 2018 Water Resources Development Act bills – the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) respectively. The WIIN Act served as the congressional response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and created new grant programs for water infrastructure. Following WIIN in 2016, the passage of AWIA in 2018 marked the most significant revision to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in over two decades.

Chair of Water Practice, Banner Public Affairs

Sonia Vila Cremer a Water Industry Expert with 15+ Years of Experience, joined DuPont Water Solutions in 2012 as Application Development Engineer. After progressed through various roles in Application Development, R&D, and Technical Service & Development (TS&D), supporting FilmTec™ RO/NF products and DuPont™ IntegraTec™ Ultrafiltration across diverse market segments, Sonia is currently leading a team of experts in innovative water technologies, including MBR, UF, RO, and IX, providing strategic product selection and design support, plant start-up assistance, operational follow-up, and troubleshooting. Apart of this Sonia spearhead the laboratory responsible for service provision and product complaint evaluations in the EMEA region.
Sonia is also Passionate about bridging sustainability with cost-effective water solutions through collaboration and expertise.

EMEA Technical Service and Development Leader, Dupont

DITEC Manager (Digitalization, Technology, and Circularity)

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)

Wayne Byrne is an accomplished CEO and serial entrepreneur with a passion for water and climate technology. After a successful career in multinational ICT corporations, he transitioned into the climate-tech sector nearly two decades ago, concentrating on waste-to-resource and water technology. Wayne has delivered four successful business exits, including the sale of OxyMem to DuPont in 2019.
He holds an International Executive MBA and an Advanced Management Diploma in Business/Managerial Economics from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. In addition to several non-executive and chair roles spanning North America, the EU, the UK, and the Middle East, Wayne provides advisory support in the clean-tech and water sectors. His forward-thinking leadership underpins his commitment to innovation and sustainability in these critical industries.

Venture Partner, Burnt Island Ventures

Charlotte Stewart,  Strategic Account Executive (Samotics)

CEO (Fluid Analytics)

Sreenath Kariveti, 39 years old, born and raised in southern India. Currently working as a Global Segment Manager – Wastewater at MANN+HUMMEL Water & Fluid Solutions Division. Graduated MS in Chemical Engineering from IIT Madras in 2008. Started professional career in 2009 as a researcher developing novel Microfluidics filtration and separation technology at university of Twente, The Netherlands and then joined in 2011 M+H Group in Singapore as lead research engineer to develop Ceramic Membrane for oil field produced water treatment in Singapore and in 2015 launched the product in US market at i2m LLC (a Startup of M+H group). Also founded another M+H corporate startup in 2018 to address and optimize the water treatment filtration systems operational efficiency through a digital SaaS platform- STREAMETRIC.  In 2019, relocated to set up R&D team and as Tech transfer Manager in China and in 2021 moved to Germany to take over Global product Manager UF position. Over the last 15 years, worked in multiple functions starting in R&D, Technical expert supporting sales, business development, product management and Strategy development.

Global Segment Manager, Wastewater, MANN+HUMMEL Water & Fluid Solutions GmbH

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

Tenair

Datalayers

<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M2FL48Z"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>

Google Tag Manager

Preference center

Cookie Bot

Log in to add this article to your reading list

Would you like to read this article again later?

Aquatech Amsterdam 2027

Delete Account

Messages

We are working on creating more insights regarding the stands at RAI. Please visit the FAQ for more information about this topic.

Elad Barak

Organised by

Partners

Aquatech Global

Conferences

Programme

Innovations

Social Events

Worlds

Pavilions

Exhibiting

Sponsorship

General

Contact

About the event

General

Travel & stay

Elad Barak