Biology and pump technology are combined when the two leading global players enter an open innovation collaboration to find new solutions to the world’s many water challenges.
But when biotech is combined with cutting-edge water technology, find new solutions to some of the most pressing global issues concerning water scarcity may just be found, thus making a direct impact on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6, aimed at securing universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.
That was the scope, when the world’s leading expert in enzymes and microorganisms, Novozymes, and Grundfos, the global leader in advanced pump technologies, were looking at when they decided to enter an open innovation collaboration.
The partnership takes place on HelloScience.io, an online universe launched by Novozymes in September 2017 where entrepreneurs, startups, and others can connect with industry.
“This is a great opportunity. Partnering with Grundfos opens new possibilities for Novozymes, the HelloScience platform and its users,” Claus Crone Fuglsang, Senior Vice President, Research & Technology at Novozymes, said. “Until now, we have been able to connect the startups and academics, who are part of this network, with our knowledge about enzymes and microorganisms, and allowing them to use samples in their work, but now we can also connect them with Grundfos’ expertise in water treatment.”
As the two companies embark on their innovation voyage, four specific challenges will be posted online, allowing all in the HelloScience community to pitch their ideas on how to secure clean water for more people – and receive sparring, input and assistance from both Novozymes and Grundfos as well. The two companies are seeking solutions to remove polluting chemicals from water and improve cleaning of wastewater, including better filtering, less sludge, and recovery of phosphate, a precious nutrient, from wastewater.
“This is an excellent chance to see what we can do in combination with Novozymes. Adding biotechnology to what we can do in for instance digital dosing might very well open brand-new possibilities for water treatment,” Lars Enevoldsen, Group Vice President, Technology & Innovation at Grundfos, added. “And while we strengthen our connection with Novozymes, we also get an opportunity to review fresh takes on the water challenges from all over the world. We need new partnerships to solve these great challenges, and this is another step down that road.”
