One of ABO’s newest members, Iowa-based Gross-Wen Technologies, recently announced a $2 million investment from Doerfer Corporation, a US-based engineering and manufacturing firm.
The investment will be used to further commercialize Gross-Wen’s algal wastewater treatment technology developed at Iowa State University.
GWT’s technology uses advanced algae cultivation techniques to remove nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater. The algae biomass that is produced can be used as a slow-release fertilizer or to make bioplastics and biofuels.
A press release includes more information about the investment and Gross-Wen’s progress toward deploying the technology at commercial scale. GWT recently demonstrated the process at pilot-projects in Iowa as well as one with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Here’s a video of the installation in Chicago:
GWT Founder and President Dr. Martin Gross says the system is now ready for commercial deployment. In addition to offering an effective water treatment option, the system can also introduce a new revenue stream for treatment plant operators.
“Most communities don’t want to sell algae, that’s not their business model, but it is ours,” Gross said. “We provide an offtake agreement for the algae and profit share with the community. So, a conventional municipal treatment plant that was traditionally a cost center now creates a revenue stream when they implement our system.”
More coverage of the investment and Gross-Wen’s approach is available here.