Aquaporin's Breakthrough in Low-Energy Membrane Technology Saves 20% Energy at Kranji NEWater Facility

Aquaporin Achieves Major Energy Savings at Kranji NEWater Factory

In a remarkable achievement, Aquaporin has completed the Living Lab Project, introducing the world's first biomimetic low-energy membrane, the Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR membrane, at the Kranji NEWater Factory (KNF) in Singapore. This groundbreaking project showcases the potential of innovative membrane technology in the water management sector.

The Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR membranes were installed at KNF and operational for a full year, during which they were continuously benchmarked against other established commercial membranes. The results have been nothing short of impressive, with Aquaporin’s biomimetic membranes realizing up to 20% energy savings during the energy-intensive reverse osmosis treatment processes. Despite these reductions in energy consumption, the membranes have consistently met the strict water quality requirements necessary for NEWater production.

Dr. Gurdev Singh, the Chief Engineering Technology Officer at PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, highlighted the importance of partnership and innovation in shaping the future of water management. He expressed, “At PUB, we recognize that the future of water management lies in meaningful collaborations. By teaming up with industry leaders who share our commitment to sustainability and innovation, we can transform promising technologies into concrete solutions that effectively meet Singapore's water needs.”

Klaus Juhl Wulff, CFO of Aquaporin and CEO of Aquaporin Asia, echoed this sentiment, remarking on the significance of their findings: “We are truly proud of the outcomes achieved through this project. Achieving such substantial energy savings while ensuring consistent water quality illustrates the potential and real-world applicability of our biomimetic technology.”

The foundation of success for this collaborative initiative lay in the close and continuous interaction between Aquaporin and PUB, ensuring seamless execution from conception to deployment. Xuan Tung Nguyen, Aquaporin Asia's Head of Commercial Engineering, emphasized the valuable insights gained through this partnership. “Working alongside PUB has provided us with a unique opportunity to witness our technology’s impact firsthand. We are excited about the path forward, especially concerning sustainable water treatment solutions.”

As a part of this demonstration project, a Resilience Study was conducted, simulating conditions that would stress the membranes to represent approximately five years of operational use. The study assured that the Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR membranes would indeed meet their expected lifespan goals.

Looking ahead, the impressive performance of the Aquaporin CLEAR membranes at KNF will continue to be monitored. As they deliver NEWater standard permeate into PUB’s distribution network, Aquaporin aims to expand the use of low-energy membranes in other NEWater facilities in Singapore.

About Aquaporin

Aquaporin is at the forefront of innovative water solutions, with a global presence that spans countries including Denmark (headquarters), Singapore, Turkey, the United States, and China. Committed to addressing global water challenges, Aquaporin utilizes a unique, nature-inspired technology based on combining biology, chemistry, and physics. This technology has its roots in Nobel Prize-winning research and is applied across various arenas, from cleaning industrial wastewater to enhancing drinking water quality. In collaboration with partners worldwide, Aquaporin continues to develop solutions that treat wastewater responsibly, as well as concentrate food and beverage products naturally. Their commitment to sustainability and technological innovation positions them as a leader in the field of water management.