American Water and Abengoa, an international company that applies technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, signed a worldwide licensing agreement for American Water’s patented NPXpress technology. The agreement will enable Abengoa to use NPXpress to achieve wastewater treatment and nutrient removal in a sustainable way. American Water will retain all rights with respect to its NPXpress technology.
The NPXpress technology helps wastewater utilities, which are facing both increasing operating costs and more stringent environmental regulations, to reduce costs while improving the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Because the technology operates at lower oxygen levels, electricity consumption for aeration can be reduced by up to 50%. In addition, the process can eliminate the need for costly chemical addition (methanol) by up to 80% to 100%. This process provides a more affordable and sustainable way of treating sewage. NPXpress is patent-protected in 15 countries and the EU.
“This agreement is a perfect example of innovation and collaboration that helps address challenges in the water industry,” said Jeff Sterba, president and CEO of American Water. “The NPXpress technology has demonstrated promising capabilities and we are excited that others in the industry will benefit from this innovative approach.”
“With our continuous commitment to provide cutting-edge solutions to our global clients, this agreement will allows us to provide technology driven at a lower energy footprint” said Carlos Cosin, CEO of Abengoa Water. “Our next generation of membrane bioreactor plants will be more energy efficient thanks to this global partnership.”
This is the first time American Water has licensed an internally generated technology achieved through its Innovation Development Process (IDP). American Water’s IDP program fills a need to seek innovative, cost effective and sustainable solutions that can benefit all water utilities. It combines research and development, technical expertise and infrastructure assets with technology from both within American Water and from external business partners to create greater efficiencies in the areas of drinking water and wastewater. The IDP provides a conduit for innovators to allow their technologies to be evaluated and to accelerate the adoption and market penetration of products or services that help solve pressing needs within the water industry.
