Alfa Laval is proud to be teaming up with some of the EU’s most innovative technological solution finders in a bid at the forefront of Europe’s water challenges. Alfa Laval is drawing on its vast experience from a wide range of industries and both private and public sectors – such as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Mining and Marine industries as well as wastewater treatment in municipalities and onboard ships.

The EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is seeking a consortium to run its latest Knowledge & Innovation Community (KIC) around Water, joining the 9 KICs already in operation that tackle themes such as digitalization, energy, food and health.

The concept of the KICs was developed and launched by the EIT 15 years ago to boost Europe’s competitiveness against its global peers. That challenge was starkly illustrated by the Draghi Report of September last year, which outlined recommendations for boosting the competitiveness and productivity of the EU – such as boosting entrepreneurship and enabling speedier commercialization and upscaling of innovative solutions. Europe is cited by The Economist to be 80% less competitive than the US.

Consortium bids to form the new Water KIC were filed on June 17. Alfa Laval has signed up to the One Water bid, which bears testimony to its dedication to transition leadership in the water sector. Alfa Laval’s Water Industry Manager, Eline Suijlen, is excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“This is the first time that we have been involved in a KIC bid, and it touches on all we do at Alfa Laval,” says Eline Suijlen. “We are committed to our purpose to pioneer positive impact, and this cannot be done without addressing water. This is the currency of the planet.”

The name of One Water consortium reflects the understanding that there is one water body only across freshwater and maritime waters. The holistic approach is reflected in the partners in the consortium, many of whom are from the public sector such as universities and research centres. They are looking for companies like Alfa Laval to provide the private sector context and vision of water stewardship and maritime water management based on decades of global experience finding innovative commercial and sustainable solutions for customers.

As outlined by the EIT, the Water KIC will be looking at three core challenges:

• Scarcity, drought and floods
• Marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation
• Developing a circular and sustainable blue economy

Within each of those themes, the EIT is looking for a consortium who will form a KIC that boosts innovation, business creation and education, themes that are in Alfa Laval’s DNA and where Eline Suijlen believes it can add huge value to the bid.

The consortium is a forum that benefits the dialogue Alfa Laval has in discussion around water across freshwater and maritime waters in the whole value chain across academia, research institutes, and of course private and public companies, says Eline Suijlen.

“It is a very powerful combination, and we benefit from engaging as part of this process with parties we would not normally engage with as part of our normal business. For example, we see great potential in having access to cutting-edge research and technology development at a European scale, which will benefit our own R&D and future development,” says Eline Suijlen.

It is crucial for Alfa Laval that the Water KIC will offer various educational programs. “By co-creating these programs within the consortia today, we will be able to upskill our employees and partners and attract new talent,” says Eline Suijlen. “The launch of this KIC is making a big statement that smart water management is a key milestone for building water resilient societies. Without water there is no life and in the current geopolitical situation it is important that Europe is competitive, and for us it is a source of pride that Alfa Laval is part of this.”