WaterProof Magazine nr 1 2021

NUMBER 01, 2021

SAMOTICS WINNER WISAWARD 2020

CONSTANTIJN VAN ORANJE: SPECIAL ENVOY AT TECHLEAP

JOHANNES BOONSTRA (WETSUS): ‘TRY TO THINK IN SMART ALLIANCES’

CONTENT

COLOFON WaterProof is the magazine of the Water Alliance, a partnership between government, research institutions and industry in

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12

OXGREENFIELD

INTERVIEW CONSTANTIJN VAN ORANJE

ACQUIRES INTEREST IN HOLLAND WATER

SPECIAL ENVOY AT TECHLEAP.NL

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From its base, the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden, the Water Alliance builds on the ‘water technology innovation chain’; a process whereby new ideas from universities, laboratories and test sites are converted into worldwide marketable products.

WaterProof provides regional, national and global information on developments, results and background in the field of water technology.

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POSITIVE VIBES

INTERVIEW JOHANNES BOONSTRA

@WATERLINK 2021

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT WATERCAMPUS

10

the field of innovative and sustainable water technology.

AND: INTRO BY HEIN MOLENKAMP NEWS IN BRIEF THE WATER TECH INNOVATION CHAIN CE-LINE: CUSTOMIZED IRRIGATION WATER FIVE QUESTIONS FOR: PIETER HOEKSTRA WATER ALLIANCE MEMBERS

03 04 16 18 20 26

Cover Photo ShutterStock Editor in Chief Menno Bakker Journal Management Menno Bakker, Narvic Media | narvic.nl Text Contributors Casper Ferwerda, Menno Bakker, Ingrid van Damme Translation Context Talen Graphic Design Jan Robert Mink | minkgraphics.nl Photography Nico Pakvis, Lucas Kemper

SAMOTICS

and many others

WINNER OF THE 2020 WIS AWARD

Printer Drukkerij Van der Eems

from idea to business: it’s on waterprooftv!

WaterProof magazine and WaterProof TV are the two journalistic media used by publisher and initiator Water Alliance to inform national and international audiences about all developments in water technology and business.

02 |

wptvyou’re on!

The WaterProof TV YouTube channel is a video platform filled with inspiring content on the latest innovations, promising markets, successful entrepreneurs’ best practices and events that you would have liked to attend.

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‘A HELPING HAND’ by Hein Molenkamp

There was a nice message circulating in my network on LinkedIn. The gist of the message is an appeal: “If you have lost your job, your company is shut down or things simply aren’t going so well right now and we have worked or studied together or our paths have crossed in any way, contact me and let me know how I can help you.”

The sender goes on to concretize their message: • “Can I put you in touch with a person or company?

• Do you feel the need for a conversation for a positive mindset?

• Would you like a sounding board, a brainstorm session, a second pair of eyes, or a second heart?”

I loved reading this message. It is a sign that there are entrepreneurs who —especially now, during coronavirus— understand that networking is all about reaching out to lend each other a helping hand.

There was another reason I found it remarkable. Without patting myself on the back, I thought: “Those few sentences actually outline exactly what we do on a daily basis at the Water Alliance.”

And we have the results. For example, thanks to a few phone calls from our International Business Development Manager Harro Brons, Samotics (formerly Semiotic Labs, more on them in this issue) entered into a partnership with Anglian Water.

‘We were able to help other companies find good matches during our many virtual trade missions and country exchanges in recent months’

We were able to help other companies find good matches during our many virtual trade missions and country exchanges in recent months.

These are only a few examples, and we are excited about the developments.

In short: if you have a problem, dream, or ambition, but no idea where to start, let us know. We look forward to supporting you.

Hein Molenkamp Managing Director, Water Alliance

| 03

Vechtstromen Water Board: nearly €260,000 for innovation projects Vechtstromen Water Board [active in the northeast of the Netherlands] is distinguishing itself with

‘WHERE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE, WE LOOK INTO THE HEART OF THE MOTOR’

SEMIOTIC LABS /SAMOTICS WINS WIS AWARD 2020

a great initiative: the investment of close to €260,000 in various regional innovation projects.

The projects include a pilot study focusing on drug residue removal from wastewater at the Emmen purification plant, as well as funds for a regional education project, drought relief and climateproof construction.

Online wastewater monitoring

Industriewater Eerbeek

On 11 January, Nijhuis Saur Industries and Qsenz installed an i-QUALITY measuring system at Industriewater Eerbeek, about 30 kilometres

‘Le Moment Supreme’.

Samotics’ Simon Jagers ‘receives’ the 2020 WIS Award.

north of Arnhem. Industriewater Eerbeek provides wastewater treatment for three paper factories in

Water technology company and Water

down, especially when they use electric motors.

Eerbeek: Coldenhove, DS Smith Paper De Hoop

Alliance member Semiotic Labs won the

“Where traditional techniques look at the outside,

and Mayr-Melnhof. As such, the plant processes

2020 WIS Award with its innovative SAM4

we look into the heart of the motor”, says founder

around four million cubic meters of water

monitoring unit in December. The company

Simon Jagers. Jury chairman Cees Buisman (Wetsus)

annually. “Industrie Water Eerbeek now has real

underwent a name change in March 2021

announced the winner during an online final, which

time insight into the quality of all water flows, so

and is now operating under the name

was broadcast from Studio Z in Leeuwarden on

they know what is coming in and how to treat it at

Samotics.

Friday, 18 December. The entire broadcast can still be

any moment”, said Ewout Riteco, sales manager at Qsenz.

Source: WaterForum

04 |

viewed on WaterProof TV. SAM4 can predict when and why machines such as wind turbines, production equipment in factories

There is an article on Samotics elsewhere in

and the conveyor belts at Schiphol Airport break

this issue.

ENVAQUA TECHTALK ‘TRENDS & DEVELOPMENTS IN POTABLEWATER-FED COOLING SYSTEMS’ WEBINAR

TRENDS IN COOLING WATER SYSTEMS

LG Sonic: working for Aguas Andinas in Chile

LG Sonic, one of the Water Alliance’s most proactive, internationally oriented members, is working on an extraordinary project in Chile. An LG Sonic MPC-Buoy system has been installed in six ‘Pirque Mega Ponds’—the new water reservoirs built by Aguas Andinas [Chile’s largest water company] in Santiago—to prevent algal blooms and guarantee water quality.

Because of climate change, most of the rain in Chile falls in the hot summer months. The heavy rainfall causes mudslides that end up in drinking water reservoirs, leading to longer water treatment processes and putting the A Holland Water cooling unit.

continuity of supply at risk. This impact of climate change became apparent in early 2013. Due to the high turbidity of the Maipo River, the

On 21 January, 59 participants from the

CEW has established a platform to develop new

water supply from the river had to be cut off,

water tech world attended the ENVAQUA

detection, control and prevention methods.

leaving 25 municipalities without access to

TechTalk ‘Trends & Developments in Potable-

Numerous other topics were also discussed. Peter

clean water. Aguas Andinas began building new

water-fed Cooling Systems’ webinar. The

van der Linde of Holland Water discussed the use of

infrastructure—including the aforementioned six

consequences of climate change were an

copper-silver ionization to prevent biofilm formation

reservoirs—in response to these events. The new

important item on the agenda.

in cooling water. Kees Roest of KWR explained their

system guarantees 34 hours of water autonomy

research into metal recovery from wastewater, which

without needing the Maipo River as a source. In

Mark Schaap of Waterbedrijf Groningen briefly

can sometimes recover milligrams or even grams

2011, it was only 4 hours before the river’s supply

outlined the future of many water companies

per litre. Marcel Oonk of Nijhuis Saur Industries

was needed again.

around the world: increasing demand for drinking

explained the role that locally produced ozone can

water combined with increasing drought. This calls

play in the pretreatment of cooling water. Lastly,

To give an idea of the size: Aguas Andinas’s six

for a reduction of ‘low-grade use’ of drinking water

Sandor Peper of RWB talked about the large and

new reservoirs have a total surface area of 50

(e.g. for cooling in industrial processes).

small scale applications of their electrolysis reactors

football fields, with a storage capacity of around

Bego Osuna of the Centre of Expertise Water

in cooling tower bypass flows. Water Alliance

1,500 million litres.

Technology (CEW), located at the WaterCampus

member RWB joined the Japanese Metawater

However, heavy rainfall and warm temperatures

Leeuwarden, also discussed the consequences of

Group in November 2020. They have an ingenious

are the perfect conditions for algae blooms. To

climate change. She highlighted the importance

system which periodically scrapes calcium carbonate

maintain water quality in the Pirque Mega Ponds,

of an early-warning system for biofilm, as it forms

off the electrodes.

Aguas Andinas installed one MPC buoy in each

the basis for bacterial growth. The presence of

of the six ponds. The technology will control the

biofilm will become an increasing problem due to

algae bloom and prevent new blooms.

climate change, and it is developing resistance to conventional purification methods.

The webinar can still be viewed on WaterProof TV.

Source: LG Sonic

| 05

OxGreenfield acquires interest in Holland Water

O X

H

W

OxGreenfield acquires interest in Holland Water 06 |

OxGreenfield acquires interest in Holland Water

Holland Water, a Water Alliance member known for high-quality technical solutions for Legionella management, received support from investment company OxGreenfield at the end of 2020. With the capital, Holland Water wants to expand its markets in the Netherlands, Europe and the Middle East.

Leo de Zeeuw, founder of Holland

that safe and clean water is

Water, explains: “I founded

becoming an increasingly scarce

Holland Water to solve Legionella

commodity, at a time when we

infections in buildings more than

are more aware than ever that the

17 years ago. Strict regulation, high

public health is vulnerable, we are

certification requirements and the

confidently investing in a company

stigma attached to Legionella have

that provides clean, healthy and

not stopped us from developing

safe water in an environmentally

smart water tech solutions. We

conscious manner with superior

have already served over 700

technological solutions. There is still

customers in the Netherlands,

a lot to be done before smart and

Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and

sustainable water management

the UAE. Nevertheless, we want

becomes an obvious choice, but

and can do more, so I started

we are confident that Leo, Rogier

looking for reinforcement.”

and their team will succeed. We will

Leo de Zeeuw, Founder

‘we want and can do more, so I started looking for reinforcement’

support them where necessary.”

“Building owners prefer not to talk about Legionella”, adds CEO

Holland Water develops and

Rogier van den Brink. “That is

supplies sustainable technological

why Holland Water is relatively

systems and related services

unknown, but it deserves more.

for keeping water systems

We offer the only full-fledged

clean and safe. The company’s

Legionella prevention agent.

flagship system, Bifipro®, is

OxGreenfield has seen through

effective in biofilm and Legionella

the Legionella stigma and also

management through copper

sees the huge potential of smarter

and silver ionization. The system’s

water management. We are

patented, data-driven dosing

grateful for their trust, support and

technology is unique, and

commitment.”

guarantees successful Legionella control in any drinking or cooling

Pim de Joode, partner at

water system.

OxGreenfield agrees. “Holland Water contributes to safer drinking

OxGreenfield focuses on investing

water while also helping us

in technologically competent SMEs

deal with the ‘liquid gold’ more

in which it can be closely involved

sustainably. With the knowledge

as a shareholder.

Rogier van den Brink, CEO

‘OxGreenfield sees the huge potential of smarter water management’ oxgreenfield.nl hollandwater.com | 07

positive vibes at Water Link 2021

project in England, the company is already considering the USA for further expansion, he announced to the online audience. More about this company elsewhere in this issue.

Marissa de Boer of SusPhos (phosphate extraction from waste materials) also had a sunny outlook. Her company is based in the BioBizz Hub in Balk (affiliated with the Water Campus) and is undergoing rapid development. “The most important thing here is that, from the beginning, we have mirrored our ideas with our potential customers”, said De Boer, sharing one of the foundations of her success. “We have been sharing our progress straight out of “There has been a huge increase in the

the lab. This helps avoid surprises, and your

number of participants in trade missions”,

customers join you on your journey at an

said Bianca Nijhof of the Netherlands

early stage. We have now scaled up to a large

Water Partnership [NWP; the organization

demo site at Wetterskip Fryslân [the water

with which the Water Alliance collaborates

board in the Friesland region] and will be

extensively on an international level]

working on building an entire plant next.”

regarding the impact of the pandemic on Dutch water technology companies. “More

After the plenary session, smaller online

participants, and contact is established

groups shared knowledge on topics such as

much more quickly and easily within those

water technology in a climate-adaptive city,

missions. This may be a continuing positive

internationalization and the opportunities

aspect in the future. In that sense, you could

for Dutch companies in Southern Europe,

call the coronavirus crisis a blessing in

and on improving performance in factories

disguise.”

through digitalization.

The attending entrepreneurs also presented

For those who missed Water Link or want

many positive plans. Tim van Leeuwen,

to revisit one of the sub-sessions, the entire

Head of Sales at Semiotic Labs, obviously

event will soon be available for viewing at

had every reason to be happy. His company

wateralliance.nl.

recently won the Water Alliance’s WIS Award with the

08 |

SAM4 monitoring unit. He received the

Editor’s note: around the time this edition

prize from Water Alliance director Hein

went to press, Semiotic Labs changed its

Molenkamp during Water Link. After a great

name to Samotics..

positive vibes at Water Link 2021

| 09

interview Harro Brons/Tim van Leeuwen

With the SAM4 monitoring unit, water companies can detect failures or prospective damage at an early stage. Developer Samotics, based in Leiden, a city south of Amsterdam, won the prestigious WIS Award 2020 with this product.

The predictive maintenance system is being rolled out at companies in the Netherlands and far beyond. One such company is Anglian Water, in the UK. Water Alliance linked the Dutch scale-up and the British water company.

Samotics arrives in the UK through Water Alliance Samotics’ Tim van Leeuwen demonstrating the SAM4

10 |

Advanced algorithms

patterns and advanced algorithms, the

have a large and growing library of

A water pump that is no longer

monitoring unit can detect upcoming

those fingerprints. This allows us to

functioning properly or is in danger

faults. Tim van Leeuwen, Head of

not only indicate that an anomaly is

of failing shows a different pattern

Sales at Samotics: “SAM4 is constantly

occurring, but we know exactly what

than a healthy pump. SAM4 collects

looking for anomalies in the data. Each

is going on.” SAM4 is installed in the

current and voltage data and uses it to

specific form of failure leaves its own

switch box, making it particularly

map numerous patterns. Using these

‘fingerprint’ in the patterns. We now

suitable for monitoring pumps installed

interview Harro Brons/Tim van Leeuwen

‘We know what is going on in the water technology sector in the Netherlands and beyond’

attention to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from Las Vegas, USA. The RFP was put out by WaterStart, a networking organization with which both Anglian Water and Water Alliance work. Harro Brons: “The RFP requested specific innovative solutions for preventive maintenance. That’s exactly what Samotics is all about.” SAM4 is now operational at Anglian Water. Harro Brons on Water Alliance’s role: “We know what is going on in the water technology sector in the Netherlands and beyond. We also have a large international network of clusters, water technology hubs and representative networks in many countries in and outside Europe. Using that position, we connect Dutch water technology companies with international parties that have water issues. We focus on issues where Dutch companies can offer innovative added value.”

Opportunities abound Van Leeuwen is confident about the future. “We are now monitor machines in Europe, the US, and Asia. Our ambition is to be the supplier of choice for critical assets in the water, steel, paper and petrochemical sectors by 2021. Because we offer our monitoring service through an online platform, we can service the entire world from Leiden.” Harro Brons sees plenty of international opportunities for even more connections for Samotics.

“We are seeing a growing need to move from visual inspection and reactive maintenance to predictive maintenance.

The demand for smart and efficient solutions like Samotics offers is only increasing.”

Harro Brons

Editor’s note: Samotics previously operated under the name Semiotic Labs. The company changed its name in March 2021.

underwater or in other difficult-to-reach

Water Alliance

places, such as wells. The system is also

Harro Brons is international business

suitable for monitoring other types of

developer for Water Alliance. He

machines, such as conveyors, fans, and

brought Samotics into contact with

compressors.

Anglian Water, a British water and wastewater company in the east of the United Kingdom. He drew Samotics’

samotics.com | 11

interview Constantijn van Oranje

Ronald Wielinga is Manager of Entrepreneurship at WaterCampus Leeuwarden. He recently interviewed Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy at Techleap. They spoke about his role in the Dutch startup ecosystem, the developments of the Dutch startup climate, the challenges he sees and his take on the entrepreneurial opportunities in the international water sector.

CONSTANTIJN VAN ORANJE images Inge van Mill

Techleap plays a crucial role

scaleup ecosystem. I make

We are making progress on all

in the Dutch start-up and

connections and help

fronts, to be honest. The least

scaleup ecosystem. Can you

determine the organization’s

progress was made in terms

tell us a little more about

strategy. In short, I keep the

of diversity. The proportion of

the organization?

project on track. I am also

highly educated, white men is

Techleap is 100%

involved internally on an

still very high. Apart from that,

government-funded.

operational level.

there is more capital, and we

We work to connect and

The great part of my job is

are more attractive to talent.

professionalize the tech-

working in an optimistic,

There is also much more

ecosystem and reduce

positive world. We work with

attention to entrepreneurship

barriers in capital, market,

start-ups and scaleups with

in places like universities,

talent and technology. Our

a focus on opportunities and

for example. In short, tech

goal is to produce more rapid

possibilities. It is tremendously

is really breaking through.

growers who can contribute

stimulating, and I get to flex

This is reflected in the AEX

to the development of the

my creative muscles.

index [stock exchange with

Dutch economy and society.

with recent additions such

You have been appointed

a key role in the Dutch

as Adyen and Takeaway and

Special Envoy at Techleap.

startup ecosystem, and

more mature companies like

It sounds nice, but can you

that you have been part

ASML. The more traditional

explain what your role

of it for a long time. What

companies are struggling

entails, exactly, and what

developments have you

to transform in a rapidly

makes your work fun?

seen in this area in recent

changing world, while the

As Envoy, I tell the story

years?

scaleups are far more flexible.

of the Dutch start-up and 12 |

the largest Dutch shares], It is clear that you play

interview Constantijn van Oranje

T

There is always room for improvement; what are the biggest barriers currently delaying the achievement of your objectives?

The biggest threshold is us. The subdued, moderate Dutch culture does not produce the greatest dreamers. The encouragement to follow your dreams is critical to entrepreneurship. We also often denigrate ourselves: “The Netherlands is only a

‘I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE NETHERLANDS FOR TOP TALENT FROM ABROAD’

small country.” However, we must remember that we are four times as big as Greater Los Angeles and twice the size of Silicon Valley. I think we often disparage and fragment ourselves too much, and there’s no need for that.

It would also be good to have more and more easily accessible capital available.

Sweden, for example, only has half as many startups as the Netherlands, but twice the capital. The capital there is available through large, relatively easily accessible funds. The result is that, despite the lower number of startups, Sweden is producing more successful growers.

Lastly, I am concerned about the accessibility of the Netherlands for top talent from abroad. The debate in society is changing, while it is crucial for a successful techecosystem that we attract and retain the greatest talents in the Netherlands. > | 13

interview Constantijn van Oranje

Do you recognize this?

A university often forms the

the Netherlands support

What do you think is the

base of a thriving hub, as

start-ups. Some are

right approach to tackle

there is already some level

regional, while others, such

these challenges?

of infrastructure available—

as the WaterCampus, are

Designing a successful

for talent, for example. The

sector-specific. How do we

hub does not happen on

WaterCampus is different.

avoid competing with each

its own, so yes, I definitely

I find it incredible how

other? More importantly,

recognize that. It is essential

you have connected at a

how can we ensure the

to have a culture that rewards

European level and are

right collaboration between

entrepreneurship. It should

receiving international

Techleap and the startup

be about more than the

recognition for it. That worked

hubs and between the hubs

number of publications or the

out really well. It’s good that

themselves to have an even

citation index. Don’t get me

you are focused on water

bigger impact?

wrong, that is very important

technology, but make sure

There’s nothing wrong with

in science, but it is also

you stay broad enough.

competition. Competition

very important to stimulate

Unlike other hubs, you have

the accelerator for the

creates the best and

entrepreneurship among

no university, so that must be

tech ecosystem in the

strongest hubs and support

researchers. Fortunately, we

organized through events,

facilities. In my opinion, it

are seeing that more and

for example. Make sure the

only becomes a problem if

more.

right people meet each other.

a region tries to prevent a

An alternative could be to

CONSTANTIJN VAN ORANJE leads Techleap.nl,

Netherlands. As Special Envoy, he is on a mission to make the Netherlands the home of tomorrow’s tech leaders. He and

start-up from leaving, while

The ecosystem around

establish certain departments

that organization could

Wageningen is a good

from the university on the

flourish better elsewhere. An

example. Wageningen

campus in Leeuwarden. An

example of this is regional

University has been the

inspiring example of this

promising Dutch tech

development companies

authority in the field of

is the Cybersecurity hub in

companies achieve rapid

financing an organization

nutrition for decades—really

Beer Sheva (Israel), where

international growth by

under the condition that the

world-class. Nevertheless, it

a hugely successful hub

improving their access

organization remains in a

does not automatically result

has been established in the

to capital, markets and

specific region—that could

in a huge startup community

middle of nowhere. In any

talent.

limit growth. I also think we

around that knowledge.

case, it is essential to admit

sometimes focus excessively

It requires more than just

talent from other places into

on national borders, whereas

excellent knowledge. It’s

the ecosystem, because the

I see a lot of opportunity in

about not shutting yourself

key to success always lies in

connecting with hubs abroad,

off; there has to be a mix

multidisciplinarity.

such as Stockholm.

of companies, investors

his team connect the Dutch tech ecosystem to help ambitious and

Van Oranje co-founded StartupFest Europe, which is still the biggest startup event ever organized in The Netherlands. As Chief of Staff for VP Neelie Kroes at the European

and related knowledge. In

Over the past year, many

I am surrounded by

the case of Wageningen

of our water technology

be in charge of the Digital

brilliant colleagues at and

University, it requires more

start-ups and scaleups

Agenda. He also led the

around the WaterCampus;

than excellent knowledge

have won important

Brussels office of the

brilliant researchers who

in the field of nutrition.

innovation and business

RAND Corporation.

are making truly ground-

The ecosystem needs to

awards—companies such

Today, he is also Director

breaking discoveries. Their

be opened up, and non-

as Acquaint, CE-Line and

of Digital Technology

discoveries often have

researchers must also be

SusPhos. The highlight

the potential to form the

given space. By this, I mean

was, of course, Hydraloop

basis of a successful new

talent in commerce and sales,

at the CES in Las Vegas,

company. The missing link

for example. Wageningen

which you also attended.

is often entrepreneurs—

has been focusing on this for

Nevertheless, innovation

entrepreneurs willing to

some time now, with initiatives

and the successful launch

launch a startup together

such as StartLife, and there

of a water tech company

with researchers—which

is definitely a community

is highly complex. It often

is passionate about art,

inhibits knowledge

forming.

requires large investments,

music, photography and

margins are relatively low,

nature.

valorisation from research.

14 |

C

Several hubs throughout

Commission, he used to

& Macro Strategy at Macro Advisory Partners in London and New York and Edge Fellow at Deloitte Centre for the Edge. In addition to innovation and technology, Van Oranje

interview Constantijn van Oranje

and many investors are

the application. Make sure

risk-averse. It seems much

you are flexible and can

harder to launch a company

change strategy quickly and

in the water sector than in

have the capacity to test the

IT, for example. As a relative

new strategy quickly. 3D

outsider, how do you view

Carbon is a good example.

this?

Their highly flexible business

The water industry is not

model involves more than

unique. It can be hard to

just selling 3D printers. They

launch a successful startup in

lease their printers, allowing

many sectors with a relatively

you to assemble your own

long time-to-market and high

polymers with an app, they

technical complexity, but

earn money on prototypes,

certainly not impossible. The

they make their own products,

entrepreneur’s creativity is key

etc. In short, they are fully

to their success. The money

focused on the application,

is not in the technology but

and they monetize everything.

As a result, the company has grown massively in just a few years.

‘IN TERMS OF KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE WORLD LEADERS, BUT WE GIVE A LOT OF IT AWAY FOR FREE’

When we organized Startup Fest in the Netherlands in 2016, we initially focused on the country’s strengths.

Agriculture, food, health, energy and water. What struck me then is the limited number of fast-growing companies in many of these areas, including water. A lot of valuable knowledge is held by public bodies and is often passed on through international projects. There is little focus on economic growth and maximizing profit. In terms of knowledge, we are world leaders, but we give a lot of it away for free. We have taken steps in the right direction in recent years, but there are still many challenges and opportunities. It’s great to see that you are also working on this at the WaterCampus!

techleap.nl

| 15

The Water Technology Innovation Chain

The Water Technology Innovation Chain The WaterCampus brings together a complete chain of innovation for water technology, from first idea, research, specialized laboratories, various demo sites, launching customers to commercial international applications by commercial companies. Indeed from knowledge to business. It is driven by the idea that technological development and innovation is needed to develop new markets and create new business opportunities.

The pilot installation used to test a unique series of existing physicochemical technologies for municipal wastewater treatment.

14 | 16

The Water Technology Innovation Chain Case Study

Accelerate the steps from knowledge to business with the WaterCampus innovation ecosystem

image: Suzanne van de Kerk

Simon Jagers from Samotics in Leiden loves collecting data. His idea: if you collect all kinds of data about the energy signals that electrical machines emit, you can measure the condition of those machines and figure out when they need maintenance, consequently saving hundreds of thousands in downtime costs in many industries.

Years of research and development followed, resulting in the SAM4 monitoring unit. With the knowledge that electric pump operation can also be measured, the water technology sector became an important target group for Samotics. This is why the company became a member of the Water Alliance through Wetsus.

Together, they accelerate research and development.

With Water Alliance’s mediation, British Anglian Water and Samotics came together.

The result: The SAM4 was installed on 85 pumps in England, with the potential for further expansion.

Samotics won the Water Alliance WIS Award, generating international attention and increasing market demand.

The cooperation with Anglian Water may be expanded, and other markets in other countries are also showing an interest.

| 17 15

focus CE-Line

image Heather Barnes | Unsplash

18 |

focus CE-Line

What happens to greenhouse crops when they receive exactly the right nutrients at exactly the right doses at exactly the right time? At the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) test site in Bleiswijk [around 14 kilometres north of Rotterdam], the answers to this question are currently being collected.

Customized irrigation water

Wilco Dijkstra, Founder

‘Our technology can process a high number of parameters in real time’

These are the first practical trials with

fortnight. They have to develop an

Global food crisis

the CE-line technology: a measuring

effective nutritional strategy based on

Dijkstra is already looking beyond the

system that measures the quality and

those results— it’s an impossible task. Our

borders: “Dutch greenhouse horticulture

composition of the irrigation water in

system provides online measurement

is world-leading—we have higher yields

real time and can immediately adjust

of individual nutrients with associated

than anywhere else. China, Canada, the

it to the desired composition. Start-up

individual nutrient dosages. The result is

Middle East, Spain and France operate

CE-Line, a Water Alliance member,

controllable and immediately adjustable

at higher capacity, but their yield per

recently received the prestigious

irrigation water, which is a huge leap

square meter is much lower. CE-Line

GreenTech Innovation Concept Award

forward.”

could serve as a flywheel in the process

for its innovative concept.

by drastically increasing yield. That’s Circular system

no luxury in a world where the food

Horticulture

Five per cent more yield, improved

problem is growing and demands a

“We had been developing water

crop and fruit quality, reduced water

focus on high quality.”

measuring systems for some time.

and fertilizer use, and remote water

Our technology is unique in that our

and nutrient management. These

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

system can process a high number of

are the benefits of a system that is

According to Dijkstra, artificial

parameters in real time”, says Wilco

also completely circular, according to

intelligence will become an important

Dijkstra, founder of CE-Line. The start-up

Dijkstra: “We can reuse almost one

driver in greenhouse horticulture in the

is based in Heerenveen, a municipality

hundred per cent of the water. The

coming decade: “We are getting more

just under thirty kilometres from the

extremely precise composition and

and more access to big data. Using that

WaterCampus Leeuwarden. CE-Line

dosage avoids the creation of unusable

data, computers can make qualitatively

was established in 2018 to make the

wastewater.”

better predictions than growers. I see a

ingenious measuring system suitable for

The practical trials at the Bleiswijk test

future in which greenhouse production

greenhouse horticulture.

site are very promising. CE-Line is

lines are fully based on AI, with a grower

There is a great need for a measuring

currently working with growers to gain

turning the dials in the cockpit. CE-Line

system like CE-Line, particularly in

the necessary practical experience: “We

can be a link within that system.”

greenhouse horticulture, explains

want to develop the optimal watering

Dijkstra. “Growers currently send

strategy together.”

a sample to the laboratory once a

celine.frl | 19

five questions for CIV Water’s Pieter Hoekstra

why isfive innovation inquestions waterfor technology education sopieter important? hoekstra 20 |

five questions for CIV Water’s Pieter Hoekstra

THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS CREATED EVERY DAY AT WATERCAMPUS LEEUWARDEN REQUIRE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION. MBO [SECONDARY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION] GRADUATES PLAY A KEY ROLE HERE. IN RECENT YEARS, THE CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE CRAFTSMANSHIP WATER (CIV WATER) HAS EMERGED AS A DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM FOR INNOVATIVE SECONDARY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE WATER SECTOR. WHAT DOES CIV WATER MEAN FOR EDUCATION AND THE WATER SECTOR? WE ASKED CIV WATER PROGRAMME MANAGER PIETER HOEKSTRA FIVE QUESTIONS.

The thinking hands of the water sector What does CIV Water do?

innovative forms of education that unite

change in 2021. One of our goals is to

We focus on the development of

theory and practice outside the water

offer MBO students the opportunity to

students and working MBO graduates

technology sector.

gain experience abroad. I sometimes

as versatile professionals. Together with

refer to MBO students as the ‘thinking hands’ in the water sector. It is important

We organize learning events where

You are located at the WaterCampus; what is the added value of that?

education and business meet. Because

We work closely with partners affiliated

An internship abroad, where you can

water technology is not a self-evident

with the WaterCampus. Wafilin, for

acquire not only new knowledge but

part of technical MBO programmes in

example, a specialist in innovative

also life experience, is part of that.

the Netherlands, we are developing

membrane systems, is our partner in

water technology teaching modules

developing hybrid education. Students

which these programmes can use.

can use the test facilities at the Water

We provide practical courses on

Application Centre (WAC) of the Van

water technology for employees of

Hall Larenstein University of Applied

companies such as technical installation

Sciences. The WaterCampus is a place

companies, pump builders or

where a lot of knowledge comes

production companies.

together and cross-pollinates. This is

the education sector and the industry, we create various development paths.

that they, like university and college students, are able to develop optimally.

civwater.nl

the best place for us.

Why is innovation in water technology education so important?

What are you doing on a European level?

The practical demands of the

With financial support from Brussels,

business community should be

CIV Water is developing a knowledge

central to technical MBO education.

exchange platform with five regions:

Unfortunately, this is not always the

Malta, Scotland, Latvia, Czech Republic

case within traditional education. The

and Belgium. We want to exchange

gap between theory and practice

students and teachers and share

within the programme and between

knowledge. We have extensive

business and education is too great.

knowledge on educational innovation

We are working with partners from

and water management. A country like

the business community and the

Malta is specialized in drinking water

educational sector to develop hybrid

desalination. Our groundwater salinity

education. Within the concept, students

is rising, and a company like Vitens can

work on case studies that require the

benefit a lot from this knowledge.

direct practical application of their theoretical knowledge. Once fully

What are the plans for 2021?

developed, the hybrid model can serve

Our European platform’s activities are

as an educational model for other

on the back burner right now, due

disciplines— there is also a need for

to coronavirus. We hope that this will | 21

interview Johannes Boonstra

22 |

‘Stimulate entrepreneurship and spin-off even more’

interview Johannes Boonstra

Johannes Boonstra in ‘his’ WaterCampus

Wetsus, the academic knowledge institute on WaterCampus Leeuwarden, wants to support the growth of new and existing water technology companies even more in the coming years. “If there is entrepreneurship in a water technologist, we want to foster it”, says executive board member Johannes Boonstra.

Boonstra: “Not every good technologist is also a great entrepreneur —and vice versa— and there’s nothing wrong with that. So, try to think in smart alliances. Collaborating with a commercial expert may seem more expensive than working alone as a technologist, but joining forces can also reap more reward.”

Innovating and working together

“Wetsus accounted for no less than 36

According to Boonstra, a variety of

to let that number grow even faster.

WaterCampus entrepreneurship

Of course without losing focus on our

education, business development,

core business of research, innovation

marketing and matchmaking incentive

and education.” WaterCampus also

programmes have supported

stimulates cooperation between water

enterprising scientists. They have

technology companies and suppliers.

experienced that WaterCampus

“There are already numerous examples

Leeuwarden is the place to be to

of that. Some installation companies or

start and grow a water tech company.

tank builders, for example, have started

Thanks to the WaterCampus partners—

to employ academically educated

Wetsus, the Centre of Expertise Water

technologists, turning manufacturing

Technology (CEW) and the Water

companies into knowledge companies.

Alliance—they can benefit from a large

This strengthens both the water

network and get support in many

industry and the economy as a whole.”

spin-offs in recent years and we aim

areas, from idea to application. “ strides in entrepreneurship in recent

Groundbreaking innovations

years, partly due to the appointment

Wetsus is the knowledge engine at the

of Ronald Wielinga as Manager of

basis of the WaterCampus innovation

Entrepreneurship”, says Boonstra.

chain. >

WaterCampus has made tremendous

| 23

interview Johannes Boonstra

The institute organizes cooperation

is unique”, says Boonstra. “So unique,

between industry and science to

that there are unfortunately no standard

convert ideas into new concepts, aimed

budgets available in the Netherlands

at breakthrough innovations in water

for structural government funding for

technology. Its members include more

our institute. We want to move towards

than a hundred companies worldwide

long-term funding security from the

and over twenty European universities

Dutch government and are working hard

and knowledge institutes. “With our

with the relevant authorities and with the

help, company needs are translated into

Netherlands Organisation for Scientific

scientific projects and ground-breaking

Research (NWO) to achieve clarity in

innovations”, says Boonstra. “Our science

2021.”

is application orientated. Water tech is a broad, multidisciplinary field, with

Visits

applications in sectors ranging from

To increase and maintain the

water purification, to energy, health,

network and support for Wetsus

food and chemistry.” Boonstra is proud

and WaterCampus it is important

of the scientific results that have been

to continuously receive companies,

scaled up to practice by its member

scientists, politicians and policy

companies. “Decentralized sanitation

makers. These site visits increase the

got off the ground partly thanks to

understanding of the relevance of our

Wetsus, for example. Blue Energy is

innovation model for their organisation,

another well-known example.” The

the economy and society. “In the

new Wetsus innovation book is just

current coronavirus crisis, most visits are

published, containing inspiring cases

digital. We look forward to welcoming

of Wetsus know how applied in the

guests back on site as soon as the

field. Boonstra: “The book clearly shows

measures allow.” Boonstra and Wetsus

that our developments in the lab are

are not daunted by the crisis however.

being translated into practice faster and

“Unfortunately, the European Water

more often. A few prime examples are

Technology Week was cancelled last

electrochemical phosphate recovery,

year, brainstorming sessions are less

water batteries and innovative ways to

‘spontaneous’ and researchers have

recover nitrogen compounds. Rapid,

had limited access to labs. Nevertheless,

large-scale application of our scientific

science has made very good progress

knowledge by our company participants

and for many meetings, such as internal

remains one of our highest ambitions.

conferences and consultations with

We are looking forward to launching a

companies and universities, we have

lot of new pilots in 2021.”

found a good digital alternative. We are moving forward and unexpected ideas

Structural funding

still emerge. Do not hesitate to contact

Wetsus, which now has almost two

us with a breakthrough idea that science

hundred employees, has gained an

can help to become a reality!”

important place in science since its establishment in 2003. It is considered by many to be the leading water technology institute of the world.

Wetsus is also well respected and considered an added value in the Dutch scientific community. Half of the 15 million/year Wetsus budget is paid by the participating companies and universities, the other half by governments. The latter is a challenge: “Our innovation and cooperation model 24 |

wetsus.nl

Johannes Boonstra: ‘it is important to continuously receive companies, scientists, politicians and policy makers’

interview Johannes Boonstra

WaterCampus: probably one of the most eye catching buildings in Leeuwarden.

| 25

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