• Wärtsilä and Trojan Technologies sign agreement to launch ballast water treatment product
Feb. 15, 2010 -- Wärtsilä Corporation and Trojan Technologies have signed an exclusive agreement to jointly develop, market, and distribute a ballast water treatment product for ships. The two companies will gain synergistic benefits from the combined strength of Wärtsilä's global reach and presence in the marine market, and from Trojan Technologies‚ leadership and experience in developing ultraviolet treatment solutions. The ballast water treatment product is presently in pre-production, with third-party validation to take place in late 2010. The innovative ballast water treatment product is expected to enter the market at the end of the year.
Changing regulations in the marine industry have driven the need for this new ballast water treatment product. In 2004, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Global Ballast Water Convention, which mandated ballast water treatment. Ballast water is used to stabilize vessels when not fully loaded: water is taken in when a ship unloads cargo, and released when it is loaded again. Water that is taken in at one port is often released at another, which can result in the introduction of non-indigenous organisms into fragile ecosystems. Untreated ballast water has been an issue of serious public concern during recent years.
More articles about ballast water >
According to the Global Ballast Water Convention, all vessels built prior to 2009 will need to install a certified ballast water treatment (BWT) system by 2014 or 2016, depending on the ballast water capacity of the vessel. Since 2009, all new vessels are required to install a BWT system. For the convention to come into full force, it must be ratified by 30 countries representing 35 per cent of the global fleet‚s dead weight tonnage. Currently 21 countries representing 23 per cent of the world's dead weight tonnage have ratified, and full ratification is expected to occur in 2011.
"Ballast Water Treatment is becoming an important item on the environmental agenda for our customers, and therefore also for us," says Roger Holm, Vice President, Solutions Management, Wärtsilä Services. "Moving into this field is a natural step for Wärtsilä, and one that continues the development of our Environmental Services portfolio."
Trojan Technologies has over 30 years of experience in developing ultraviolet treatment solutions. As the world leaders in developing UV technology for municipal wastewater, drinking water, and industrial water treatment systems, Trojan Technologies was a logical partner in providing Wärtsilä with UV technology for ballast water treatment. Trojan Technologies has the experience, and the research and development capabilities to develop an energy-efficient, integrated, proprietary technology with a compact footprint and the flexibility to upgrade as regulations continue to evolve.
"Trojan is excited to partner with Wärtsilä in this endeavour," says Marvin DeVries, President of Trojan Technologies. "Trojan has a long history of innovation and leadership in the global UV industry, and we believe that our water treatment expertise, combined with Wärtsilä‚s strong presence in the marine industry, will enable the two companies to play a significant role in providing a compact, cost-effective and high performance system to address the emerging ballast water treatment market."
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasizing technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2009, Wärtsilä‚s net sales totaled EUR 5.3 billion with more than 18,000 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. www.wartsila.com
About Trojan Technologies
Trojan Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher Corporation of Washington, D.C. Trojan designs, manufactures, and sells UV systems for municipal wastewater and drinking water facilities, as well as for the industrial, commercial and residential markets. The company also provides UV treatment for the removal of certain chemicals from water. With over 6000 municipal facilities in more than 80 countries using its technology, Trojan has the largest installed base of UV systems in the world. Headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, the company also has offices in the U.K., Germany, China, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.S. www.trojanuv.com
###
