(don't) Waste Water! | Water Tech to Solve the World
(don't) Waste Water! | Water Tech to Solve the World

(don't) Waste Water! | Water Tech to Solve the World

❓ Ever wondered how the #WaterIndustry was reacting to our World's Water Challenges? Water Scarcity? #SDG6? PFAS? Climate Change? Circular Economy? Digitization and Smart Water?
πŸ’ͺΒ Get the Water Market pulse for free. In one hour per week, while you do the dishes!
πŸ“ˆ We talk water investment, water tech, water entrepreneurship and water market with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, book authors, scientists, investment funds, VCs, and C-Level experts from water majors.
➑️ Leverage their insights, advice & experience and ensure to stay on top of best practices
πŸ—“οΈ Tune in every Wednesday (don't miss out! πŸ˜…)
🌐 Find all the detailed episode notes, interviews, infographics, and more at http://dww.show

Currently in its 10th Season, the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast has already welcomed around 200 guests from Water Majors (SUEZ, Veolia, Jacobs, Xylem, Kemira, Evoqua, Aquatech, SKion Water...), Scale-Ups (Cambrian Innovation, Epic Cleantec, Liqtech, 374Water, Gingko Bioworks...), Start-Ups (Puraffinity, KETOS, 120Water, ZwitterCo, Membrion, Source...), Universities (Berkeley, the Columbia Water Center), Investment Funds (Sciens Water, Mazarine, Burnt Island Ventures...), Business Accelerators (Imagine H2O, Elemental...), Book Authors (Seth Siegel, David Sedlak, David Lloyd Owen...) or Market Intelligence Companies (BlueTech Research, Global Water Intelligence, World Bank, OECD, Isle Utilities...). Or simply water legends like Mina Guli or Andrew Benedek!

On the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast, I strive to make the Water Industry easy to understand for everyone, starting with water professionals, executives, and investors. Hence, he opens the microphone to seasoned, inspirational water experts to discuss their field of excellence.

No one can claim an all-around in-depth understanding of a matter as complex as Water. But piece by piece, you can rebuild the puzzle. With curiosity, patience, and passion, Antoine Walter explores topics such as Advanced Treatment Technologies, Water-Energy Nexus (Hydrogen, Lithium...), PFAS removal, Nature-Based Solutions, Wastewater Reuse, Distributed Water Treatments, Water Finance, and Water Entrepreneurship.

I actually firmly believe that regular listeners of the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast may, in the end, claim a "Water MBA!"

A particular field of interest is how innovation forms, grows and gets widely adopted in a complex and conservative field like the Water Industry. This may be one of the keys to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal nΒ°6 - #SDG6.

ABOUT ME:

I'm a second-generation Water Professional - the legend says my dad traded excavator sessions for me in river banks against lunch invitations. I followed on this early start by completing a Master's in Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering, then won the "Golden Mission" contest organized by ENGIE (GDF-SUEZ).

This led me to travel the Asia-Pacific region for one year to explore, amongst others, water treatment in Hong Kong, desalination facilities in Melbourne, water distribution management in Jakarta, water innovation in Singapore or social water projects in New Delhi and Gujarat. All of that was documented in videos, blog articles, radio spots, and conferences in engineering and business schools (that's where I got hooked!)

I've then worked for SUEZ in Switzerland in strategic marketing, business development, and sales for the DACH and Nordic regions, with an emphasis on micropollutant removal.

I then joined GF Piping Systems in 2017 to take over the business development for the company's services in Europe, then for all Water Treatment and Lithium topics worldwide.

I've been a regular speaker at conferences on four continents, gave my first TEDx in 2022, and regularly acted as a host.
Since 2020, I've been hosting the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast and giving lectures in Business and Engineering schools.

I'm married, a happy father of three, and I'm French (nobody's perfect πŸ˜…).
Why Most People Get Lithium's Water Impact Dead Wrong
18 December 2024
Why Most People Get Lithium's Water Impact Dead Wrong

🌊 Think Lithium Mining Wastes Water? Think Again!

More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

    Eramet's DLE project in Centenario: https://www.eramet.com/en/activities/lithium/

    My review of Veolia's Deep Dive (that discusses the Eramine DLE project): https://youtu.be/LKcUoTlMmdc

    Thacker Pass Project by Lithium Americas with AquaTech International: https://lithiumamericas.com/thacker-pass/overview/default.aspx

    My exploration of Salinity Solution's batch RO: https://youtu.be/InWaoDkVLNc

    My conversation with Evove (Membrane-based DLE): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s9e7-how-to-eradicate-dead-zones-cut-energy-needs-by-80-and-double-lithium-selectivity

    My conversation with EnergyX (Ion Exchange-based DLE): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s9e5-the-game-changing-company-with-60-patents-that-s-disrupting-the-battery-industry

    My conversation with Adionics (Solvent Extraction-based DLE): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e11-how-adionics-took-a-bold-stand-in-the-competitive-dle-landscape


πŸŽ™οΈ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE πŸŽ™οΈ

Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast
Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW
Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


πŸ‘‹ SOCIAL MEDIA πŸ‘‹

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7


πŸ™‹ QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


⏰ TIME CODES ⏰


00:00 The Lithium Water Crisis

02:22 The Water Impact of Spodumene & Evaporation Ponds

03:56 DLE is a "special animal"

06:43 Brine is NOT water

10:38 Getting to Eramet's DLE Plant

12:18 Eramet's approach to DLE

13:47 Where and How to Water Optimize?

17:32 Zooming Out


#LithiumMining #WaterTechnology #CleanTech


About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this video is for you.


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

S12E6 - How Tomatoes Become Drinking Water (And Microsoft Wants In!)
04 December 2024
S12E6 - How Tomatoes Become Drinking Water (And Microsoft Wants In!)

πŸ“Œ Growing Water with Botanical Water Technologies - A Revolutionary Approach to Water Scarcity!

More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣


Botanical Water Technologies: https://www.wegrowwater.com/

Their partnership with Microsoft: https://www.wegrowwater.com/post/microsoft-growing-water-for-india

Terry Paule's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-paule/


πŸŽ™οΈ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE πŸŽ™οΈ


Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

Main Channel: @AntoineWalter

DWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


πŸ‘‹ SOCIAL MEDIA πŸ‘‹


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7


πŸ™‹ QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


⏰ TIME CODES ⏰


00:00 Introduction

01:54 AI's Water Consumption

04:49 Growing Water

08:14 The Journey of Botanical Water Technologies

17:57 Building the Botanical Water Exchange

21:26 The Role of Blockchain in Water Management

37:37 Defining Water Impact Standards

39:13 Implementing Water ATMs in Nagpur

43:13 Future of Water Technology

46:07 Commercialization and Scaling Up

51:16 Fundraising and Investment Strategies

01:01:29 Rapid Fire Questions


#WaterInnovation #WaterTech #SustainableWater


πŸ“ IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

🌱 The groundbreaking technology behind extracting drinking water from fruits and vegetables, and how it's revolutionizing water access

πŸ’§ How Botanical Water Technologies transforms industrial food processing waste into premium drinking water through their innovative Water Harvest Units

🀝 The strategic partnership with Microsoft and the game-changing project delivering 60 million liters of water to communities in Nagpur, India

πŸ”— The development of the Botanical Water Exchange platform powered by blockchain technology to connect water producers with communities in need

πŸ’« The ambitious vision to scale from 14 to 200 water harvest units by 2025, bringing sustainable water solutions worldwide


About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

S12E5 - How Capture6 Transforms Salt into a Climate Change Solution
27 November 2024
S12E5 - How Capture6 Transforms Salt into a Climate Change Solution

🌊 Direct Air Carbon Capture AND Water Production? The unlikely duo revolutionizing climate action!

More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Episode #️⃣

β€’ Capture 6: https://capture6.com

β€’ Frontier Climate: https://frontierclimate.com/

β€’ Palmdale Water District (Project Monarch partner): https://www.palmdalewater.org/

β€’ California Energy Commission (Grant provider): https://www.energy.ca.gov/

β€’ Elemental Impact/Elemental Accelerator (Investor & incubator): https://elementalimpact.com/elemental-impact/

β€’ My (quite old, sorry!) conversation with with Kim Baker from Elemental Excellerator (at the time): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e4-how-to-be-a-beacon-and-trigger-1-5-billion-new-funding-as-a-fearless-nonprofit


πŸŽ™οΈ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE πŸŽ™οΈ

Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


πŸ‘‹ SOCIAL MEDIA πŸ‘‹

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7


πŸ™‹ QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

00:00 Introduction

01:56 Elon Musk's XPRIZE and Carbon Capture

04:27 Introducing: Luke Shors

08:03 Combining Carbon Capture with Water Scarcity Solutions

17:19 Technical Aspects of Capture6's Process

23:32 Project Monarch: A Case Study

34:24 Global Projects and Future Plans

38:13 Business Model and Financing

42:20 Carbon Credits and CDR

46:16 Future Goals and Regulatory Impact

53:08 Rapid Fire Questions


#DirectAirCapture #WaterTech #CleanTech


πŸ“ IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

πŸ”¬ How Capture 6 transforms salt into a revolutionary carbon capture solution while producing fresh water

🌐 The ambitious roadmap across three continents: Project Monarch (US), Project Wallaby (Australia), and Project Octopus (Korea)

πŸ’‘ Why turning brine management from a cost center into a carbon removal opportunity could be key to scaling water treatment

πŸ’° How tax credits, government support, and innovative business models are making carbon removal viable

🀝 The critical importance of finding the right project partners and investors in the challenging cleantech landscape


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

S12E4 - How Carbonet Built Fake Plants to Fight the New Karen
13 November 2024
S12E4 - How Carbonet Built Fake Plants to Fight the New Karen

We treat water with oil - true story! Coagulants and Flocculants used in wastewater treatment are oil-based and often feature Polyacrylamide (or PAM). But there's no other way around, right? Well, there's one, and it looks (very!) promising. Wanna find out? Listen to this!

More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

My conversation with Gingko Bioworks: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s10e9-coding-the-future-ginkgo-bioworks-synthesis-of-biology-and-technology

My Growth Story with MembrIon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPlXltrIvWU

Talk with Amielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiellelake/

... or per email: amielle@carbonet.com


πŸŽ™οΈ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE πŸŽ™οΈ

Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

Main Channel: @AntoineWalter

DWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


πŸ™‹ QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

00:00 In This Week's Episode

03:55 Carbonet's Journey

15:46 The Big Spring Show

19:12 Building an Empire

28:23 Exploring Business Models

34:23 Advanced Material Technology and AI

37:41 Commercialization and Future Plans

41:24 Women's Equity Lab and Investment

44:01 Rapid Fire Questions


#WaterChemicals #ScaleUp


About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this podcast is for you.


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How GF Redirects its Flow to Dominate Water Solutions
08 November 2024
How GF Redirects its Flow to Dominate Water Solutions

Georg Fischer (or GF) just announced that it divested its Machining Solutions arm for about 650 million Swiss francs to United Grinding Group and evaluated strategic options to do the same with its Casting Solutions division. Said differently, GF fully embraced its new trajectory: becoming a Water and Flow solutions company, with, on top of this, the ambition to become the World leader at that (starting from number two).


Here's what I discussed with Mads:

    Why are companies like GF pivoting entirely toward water solutions?

    How does a traditional industrial company make a leap into sustainable infrastructure?

    Can the water market really sustain 8% growth?

    How do acquisitions fit into GF’s $5 billion revenue goal?

    What makes water infrastructure a smart investment right now?

    How can investing in water align with sustainable goals?

    What’s the "ketchup effect" in mergers and acquisitions?


If you want to follow up with Mads, reach out to him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsjoergensen/


Key Ideas

    Strategic Shift in Water Sector: GF divested its machining solutions and plans to exit its casting solutions divisions to focus on water-related products. This pivot, welcomed by the market, positions GF as a pure-play water and flow solutions company in response to global water scarcity concerns, increasing the attractiveness of water infrastructure investments.

    Acquisition of Uponor: GF’s recent 2.1 billion CHF acquisition of Uponor bolstered its presence in piping systems and set the foundation for a focus on water solutions. GF sees Uponor as essential to consolidating its market position and is pursuing acquisitions in similar companies to reach its revenue goal of 5 billion CHF by 2030.

    Market Fragmentation and M&A Strategy: The water market's fragmentation offers GF a path to scale rapidly through strategic acquisitions of companies between $75 million to $125 million, quickly integrating them to build a resilient, scalable business. This acquisition approach aims to make GF the market leader by capitalizing on economies of scale but mostly scope.

    Sustainable Investment Appeal: With investors increasingly focused on environmental impact, GF’s shift aligns with sustainability and long-term profitability. Mads Joergensen highlights how water infrastructure is crucial for economic stability and environmental health, positioning GF as a high-impact investment opportunity that appeals to both financial and environmental investors.

    Global Expansion Plans: GF is aiming for geographic diversification with a balanced presence across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. This global reach, coupled with sector diversification across building, industrial, and infrastructure flow solutions, offers resilience and positions GF to capitalize on the growing global water market.

    Challenges and Caution in Water Innovation: Water technology has long development cycles, sometimes taking decades to reach market maturity. GF’s approach focuses on proven technologies and scalable solutions, reducing exposure to riskier, early-stage innovations.


Hey, and for the sake of full disclosure: this is NOT a sponsored episode (at all), but GF happens to be my employer when I'm not running this podcast πŸ™‚


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Water Book Club - The Dynamics of Water Innovation - Paul O'Callaghan (Review & Critique)
06 November 2024
Water Book Club - The Dynamics of Water Innovation - Paul O'Callaghan (Review & Critique)

You need to know the rules to beat the rules ⬇️

Water innovation takes decades to be adopted: 35 Years for the average water tech!


For their book "The Dynamics of Water Innovation," Paul O'Callaghan and his team reviewed 488 water technologies to identify patterns, timelines (and ways to accelerate them), and some of the specificities of water entrepreneurship.

In this review, I share with you the key learnings, but also my feelings about the book. Spoiler: you should read it!

➑️ Get the book: https://www.braveblue.world/book

πŸ“š Download the supporting research (free): https://edepot.wur.nl/536755


πŸ“£ MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE πŸ“£

My interview with Andrew Benedek (Zenon): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e12-how-to-be-alone-early-crazy-but-actually-right-the-history-of-zenon

My conversation with Graeme Pearce (Membranes): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e9-everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-mbrs-without-daring-to-ask

Fluence's take at MABRs: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e7-this-astonishing-technology-will-turn-the-wastewater-sector-on-its-head-here-s-why

My conversation with Reinhard HΓΌbner (SKion): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e1-the-7-secrets-of-the-water-company-of-the-year-you-shall-absolutely-steal

My interview with Tom Ferguson (Burnt Island Ventures): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s10e16-the-secret-formula-for-profit-in-water-tech-ventures-tom-ferguson-s-unfair-advantage


πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ

Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water


πŸ‘‹ SOCIAL MEDIA πŸ‘‹

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

00:00 Technology Adoption in various sectors

02:14 Anatomy of a Winner

05:08 The WaTA Model

08:30 3 Levers to Market Faster

14:23 Why bother?

15:55 Conclusion


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

S12E3 - How GWT Saves You Millions with Carbon-Negative Wastewater Treatment
23 October 2024
S12E3 - How GWT Saves You Millions with Carbon-Negative Wastewater Treatment

Gross Wen Technologies reached $15 Million in yearly sales while rolling out in three verticals and getting selected among hundreds of contestant in THE Global Water Hub - aka Singapore.

All on the back of a simple, even seemingly simplistic technology: algae-based nutrient removal (and recovery).

Oh and did I forget? They profitable from the get-go. What's the secret? Let's find out!


More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣


Gross Wen Technologies' Website: https://algae.com/

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-gross-39125755/

The last time we covered Green Algae on the podcast: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s4e11-are-you-still-fighting-green-algae-here-s-what-to-do-instead

My Coverage of WEFTEC: https://youtu.be/UnvaN9ZDjPs


πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ


Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water


πŸ™‹ QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


#WaterTech #GrowthStage #GreenAlgae


About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.