AQANAT® biowater: Advanced sustainable residue free sanitation system for post-harvest food processing resulting in a 70% reduction in water usage and a 50% reduction in post-harvest losses

Project Information

biowater

Grant agreement ID: 728274

DOI

10.3030/728274

Project closed

EC signature date 21 May 2016

Start date 1 June 2016

End date 31 August 2016

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

AQANAT LIMITED
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - biowater (AQANAT® biowater: Advanced sustainable residue free sanitation system for post-harvest food processing resulting in a 70% reduction in water usage and a 50% reduction in post-harvest losses)

Reporting period: 2016-06-01 to 2016-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The key focus of the biowater technology is water sanitation and recycling through environmentally sound technologies, allowing water to be used as an integral part of food processing, targeted to food processors and packinghouses who need to satisfy food retailers demand for residue free quality produce and prolonged shelf life. Biowater uses novel diamond electrode technology for the electrolysis of the process water to generate oxygen radicals. Biowater is complementary to basic GRAS substances (Generally Regarded As Safe) used in food processing such as sodium bicarbonate reducing the need for conventional chemical methods. This provides substantial water savings in a closed system (with zero WW discharge), elimination of harmful chemical use (such as phenols), as well as potential for an increased shelf-life post-harvest.

A feasibility study will be carried out on large volume water users such as Hydro- Coolers of fruit and vegetable (e.g. salads, cherries, apples, carrots and other fruits and vegetables) produce with the objective to increase profitability while reducing produce postharvest losses and wastewater volume.

Conclusion: we will continue with a Phase 2 application based on the results of the feasibility study.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The feasibility study was completed successfully and the following conclusions were drawn; we have now confirmed that the market that we need to target is the fresh produce market. We have reconfirmed that we have freedom to operate and identified future patent opportunities. Aqanat will be submitting a Phase 2 application and in the Phase 1 project we have engaged with the relevant partners and drafted our work plan. We have confirmed the concept design we will use for the commercialised product based on the previous trial and scientific analysis results. Aqanat has enhanced its existing project team and refined its business plan ready for market launch. Therefore, we will progress with a Phase 2 project based on the outcome of the Phase 1 project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The fresh product market needs equipment that reduces the amount of waste water without chemicals, more and more retailers are caring about sustainability across their whole supply chain. International bodies recognise the need for improvement in innovation expenditure with a focus on new or improved production processes with high water efficiency and improved water quality. biowater provides this solution and will be launched on the market at the perfect time to capitalise on this opportunity. This will deliver substantial growth to Aqanat and our chosen partners and quadruple our turnover by the 5th year following commercial launch.

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