RELOCATION BÜFA GROUP ACQUIRES STAKE IN FERR-TECH

March of this year marked the start of the renovation of a new production site for Wafilin Systems in Leeuwarden. The company, a longtime member of the Water Alliance, no longer had enough space with its office at the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden to realize the company’s ambitions. Some demolition was required before the company can move into the new building. A small celebration was held there with Abel Reitsma, alderman of the municipality of Leeuwarden, and numerous relations.

The new building provides space for up to 50 employees. It features a shipping and storage area from which Wafilin can maintain, prepare and deliver its mobile pilot plants to customers and supply membranes and related products. The company will also establish a development facility to develop new membrane applications for customers. The new building will bring all services under one roof. Wafilin has over 25 employees and operates in the dairy and food industry.

German company BÜFA Group (Oldenburg) has acquired a minority stake in Meppel-based Ferr-Tech, expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions. Richard Bruins, CEO of Ferr-Tech and Felix Thalmann, CEO of the BÜFA Group, signed the contract in November 2022. With BÜFA’s investment (€2 million), Ferr-Tech will scale up the total production capacity of FerSol® (Ferrate (VI) in liquid form), expand the team, open a local production facility in the United States and invest in further innovation.

“BÜFA is a strong strategic partner for Ferr-Tech”, explains Judith le Fèvre, CMO and co-owner of Ferr-Tech. “They add value to our company through their specialized knowledge and extensive network, and they share our core values.”

“BÜFA and Ferr-Tech share the same business philosophy”, says BÜFA Managing Director Natascha Fontanella. “We and Ferr-Tech use our expertise to provide innovative solutions for various industries. Our investment in Ferr-Tech is also an investment in sustainable innovations that contribute to a better world for future generations.”

Ferr-Tech—a Water Alliance member and winner of the 2022 WIS Innovation Award—and BÜFA began their collaboration in April when BÜFA Chemicals became the official international distributor of the new oxidant FerSol®. This innovative and environmentally friendly product is based on the world’s most effective oxidant for water purification, Ferrate (VI). FerSol enables the purification of residual water such that manufacturing companies can largely reuse it in their processes. The innovation makes it possible to close the water loop in industrial processes.

“As an investor, BÜFA brings years of expertise and experience”, says Felix Thalmann, CEO of the BÜFA Group. “As a scale-up, Ferr-Tech is making impressive strides with FerSol®. With our investment in Ferr-Tech, the BÜFA Group positions itself more broadly and future-oriented.”