Gradiant, a global solutions provider and developer for cleantech water, has acquired Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) water technology company Synauta to accelerate the use of digital twin technology in water.
A digital twin is a real-time virtual model of a physical object or model, and the modelling process benefits immensely when paired with AI. The use of digital twins in desalination, water reuse, and industrial water treatment already been supported by Gradiant — The company anticipates that this acquisition will further strengthen its position as a technology provider in end-to-end water solutions.
“Digital water is the fastest-growing area in the global water industry and this acquisition brings together the very latest technologies,” said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. “The application of digital twins in water will grow even more rapidly as we further leverage 5G communications, industrial automation, and predictive analytics. Combined with Synauta’s AI data models, industrial water treatment just got smarter, cleaner, and significantly more efficient.”
Synauta’s proprietary machine learning AI algorithms are deployed in municipal and industrial desalination facilities around the world. Synauta’s technologies reduce operating costs by determining optimal operating conditions and maintenance programs based on real-time process data and are trusted by leading clients such as Singapore’s PUB, Veolia, Aqualia, Engie, and GHD.
“Joining Gradiant gives Synauta the ability to scale the use of data and AI in industrial deployments with global clients. This acquisition creates a digital powerhouse for the water industry that will bring the goal of industrial water sustainability closer to realization,” said Mike Dixon, CEO of Synauta.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.
An estimated $1.5 trillion per year is required to address global water infrastructure, and digital solutions play a major role. Recent market research forecasts annual capital expenditures for digital water to reach $10 billion by 2030, with investments in artificial intelligence technologies to account for $6.3 billion.
