OxyMem co-founders receive the NovaUCD 2015 Innovation Award
Professor Eoin Casey and Dr Eoin Syron, both researchers in the UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, were presented with the award by UCD President Professor Andrew J Deeks.
The pair were honoured at NovaUCD in recognition of the success of UCD spin-out OxyMem has achieved in the international, multi-billion euro wastewater treatment industry.
OxyMem’s technology is a break from the last 100 years of biological aerobic processes, which was largely activated sludge treatment. It has made a huge impact on the global wastewater treatment sector, estimated to be worth €30 billion, by meeting demand for energy efficient wastewater treatment, without increasing the cost of capital equipment.
For the last 100 years or so biological aerobic processes have been the cornerstone of all industrial wastewater treatment processes around the world.
Using these process, typically less than 30 per cent of the oxygen supplied is transferred to the wastewater resulting in an enormous energy waste.
However, the technological breakthrough made by Casey and Syron, developed and refined with funding provided by Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, does not rely on a bubble to transfer oxygen.
Instead, the MABR technology uses gas permeable membranes, which allows oxygen to be transferred directly to the wastewater treating bacteria. This technology dramatically reduces the operating costs for wastewater aeration and result in a four-fold saving on energy costs when compared to forced aeration.
Professor Casey said commented the news :
“The award not only recognises the success of OxyMem over the last few years but also recognises the 10 years of research and development activities at UCD on which OxyMem is built.”
OxyMem currently operates a 25,000 sq ft facility and offices in Athlone, Co Westmeath, to manufacture the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor.
The company employs over 40 people and has already raised €2.5 million from investors and Enterprise Ireland and secured clients in Ireland, UK, Spain, Sweden and in North America, Middle East and Far East.
