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Press release: EMEC ETV competition winner announced

EMEC awards free Environmental Technology Verification to Dryden Aqua

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has announced Edinburgh based Dryden Aqua as the winner of their Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) competition launched by Scotland’s Energy Minister earlier this year.

Dryden Aqua, an R&D intensive marine biological company specialising in sustainable water treatment technologies, will now be taken through the full ETV process to verify the environmental benefits of their innovative water treatment product, AFM (Activated Filter Media), which is a direct replacement for sand in sand filters.

Howard Dryden introducing AFM to Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon AFM (Credit: Dryden Aqua)

Howard Dryden introducing AFM to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Credit: Dryden Aqua)

Dave Wakefield, EMEC’s ETV Manager commented:

“Dryden Aqua submitted a solid proposal, stating a number of environmental benefits associated with AFM. EMEC will now progress the product through the ETV process to independently verify the environmental claims.

“On completion of the ETV process, EMEC will provide Dryden Aqua with a Statement of Verification proving that the claims about their technology are credible and scientifically sound.”

Across the world, most drinking water is treated by sand filters. However, all suffer from transient wormhole channelling, allowing unfiltered water to pass into drinking water. In the developing world drinking water is responsible for up to 80% of all disease, most of which is caused by parasites passing through such channels.

AFM is a potential solution to this problem, having been engineered to adsorb small particles and chemicals from water to provide a safe, high quality water.

This innovation could revolutionise the way water is filtered, removing pathogens and toxic chemicals such as arsenic and chromium from the water supply, having a positive impact on public health, marine biodiversity and climate change.

Furthermore, with AFM being made by recycling glass bottles, Dryden Aqua could make a significant impact in Scotland with less glass going to landfill, and reducing the need for sand mining which protects river, sandy beaches and destruction of the seabed ecosystems by dredging.

Howard Dryden, Managing Director at Dryden Aqua said:

“AFM has the potential to be a disruptive technology. Our filter media will more than double the performance of any drinking water system simply by replacing the sand in the filter. AFM also has the benefit that it is a lower cost and a more sustainable process than any other form of water treatment. Once AFM is in a filter, it should never need to be changed.

”Verification of AFM via EMEC’s ETV programme will allow us to enter the drinking water market more effectively, and much quicker, so we can bring clean and safer water to more people. In the developing world this means we could eliminate up to 80% of all disease and save lives.”

Speaking on hearing about the company’s success, Jan Reid, Senior Manager of Marine Energy and Low Carbon Technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said:

“Independent verification is an important factor in any industry and Scottish Enterprise is pleased that Dryden Aqua has won this competition for the water and waste water sector. The ability to access clean and safe water is a global issue and any support that can be given to make this happen more quickly and easily is a positive step forward.

“EMEC-ETV will enable Dryden Aqua to build on its success and support the development of AFM and maximise its growth potential. The opportunities represented in supporting new solutions for global challenges is substantial and this is an excellent example of a Scottish company leading innovation in a highly important area.”

The ETV scheme is open to SME developers of energy, water treatment, or materials and waste technologies who can show that their technology is innovative and has environmental added-value, and whose performance characteristics are not fully covered by existing regulations and standards.

“ETV is a great opportunity for small businesses to get their innovative products noticed by customers and investors by independently proving that their technologies perform as they claim”, adds Mr Wakefield.

“EMEC-ETV can really help you to stand out from the crowd.”


ETV in a nutshell

As one of the European Commission’s initiatives under the Eco-Innovation Action Plan, Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) is a new tool to help innovative environmental technologies reach the market by independently verifying specific performance claims.

The scheme is open to:

  • Energy technologies
  • Water treatment and monitoring technologies; and
  • Materials, waste & resources

The Statement of Verification presented at the end of the ETV process provides evidence that a developer’s claim about their technology is both credible and scientifically sound. With proof of performance credibly assured, innovations can expect to:

  • Attract investment
  • Increase your market share
  • Differentiate from your competitors

Verification by qualified third parties: EMEC is accredited to ISO 17020 and the EU ETV General Verification Protocol to perform verifications under the EU ETV Pilot Programme.

http://www.emec.org.uk/services/etv/

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