Bluetech Research Podcast Channel

WEFTEC is where the future of water takes shape, and in this BlueNotes special, we cut through the noise. From the 281 submitted abstracts, our analysts have curated the top 60 that will define industry conversations this year: PFAS, emissions control, digital adoption, and circular solutions. Download the full memo from here. We spotlight the Innovation Pavilion cohort, where next-gen leaders like Active Membranes, AlgaFilm, Chromafora, Delta Bravo, Solidec and Weaver Labs showcase their breakthrough technologies. Also happening at the Innovation Pavilion are sessions like Dynamics of Water Innovation, Innovating for Today, and Lighthouses & Tipping Points. Visit the full list of Innovation Pavilion sessions here.And as has become tradition, BlueTech's Breakfast Briefing will be held on Tuesday, September 30th at 7.30 AM. Over coffee and a croissant, we’ll deliver hard-earned insight from the frontlines of innovation — offering new research and real-world investment signals. This year’s edition is s

Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) is getting a second life. Once overshadowed by reverse osmosis, new designs, capacitive approaches, and ceramic membranes are opening doors in brackish desalination, food and beverage, and even lithium recovery. Costs and complexity remain hurdles, but innovation is giving EDR fresh momentum .Another blind spot: microfibers. Over half a million metric tons entered the environment in 2023, with textile effluents averaging 37 mg/L. BlueTech’s new report maps the problem and highlights solutions from ultrafiltration to simple strainers, stressing that no single fix exists — integration and shared data are key.This month’s Analyst Alert highlights Norit’s PFAS breakthrough: NSF-certified thermal reactivation destroying 99.98% of PFAS in spent carbon. More than reuse, it signals hybrid pathways where removal, regeneration, and destruction combine to outcompete standalone solutions.Patent Watch adds a sustainability twist. Kemira’s bio-based flocculants from cellulose and starch cut d

PFAS sensing is heating up—but still waiting for a true breakthrough. Dr. Kim Wu joins to explore a market set to hit $480M by 2026, with field-based sensors potentially swelling to $750M by 2030. Demand is surging, regulations are tightening, yet no real-time solution exists. Kim points to electrochemical sensing paired with AI as the most promising pathway, while early players like Sense and Puri are racing prototypes into the field .The discussion then turns to one of the year’s biggest water deals: Ecolab’s $2.4B acquisition of Ovivo’s electronics division. More than a balance sheet move, it’s a play on ultrapure water for semiconductors and AI infrastructure. With a single fab consuming as much water annually as 17 million people, the deal solidifies Ecolab’s push into one of the most water-intensive growth arenas of the decade .Innovation is also bubbling up in patents. A standout this month: USP Technologies’ filing for coagulants derived from drinking water treatment residuals—repurposing waste stream

BlueTech's TAG expert Dr. Sebastien Tillman joins Rhys and Divya to unpack a wave of projects in places as unexpected as Belgium and the UK, challenging the “it rains here” mindset. The driver? Not just technology, but trust. Public outreach remains the decisive factor between a flagship success and a stalled proposal.The long-standing “RO is the gold standard” stance is giving way to new thinking. Carbon-based advanced treatment – using ozone and biological activated carbon – is gaining ground as a safe, effective alternative, with several US states writing it into regulation. The shift signals a maturing market where water quality, cost, and scalability share the stage. Potable reuse is emerging as both a trust benchmark in science and infrastructure and a pragmatic, bipartisan solution – embraced in blue California and red Texas alike.Sebastien points to Spain as the ultimate flagship opportunity: a water-stressed nation currently prohibiting direct potable reuse, where overturning regulatory barriers

Autonomous water plants are here—and 49 of them are already running in China, serving 17 million people with no one on-site. Dr. Kim Wu unpacks this jaw-dropping stat and what it signals for digital twins, smart networks, and the new edge of AI in water. She also flags the rise of low-power IoT and how cybersecurity is shifting from afterthought to core infrastructure need. Later, we welcome Dr. Rick Woodling, the newest member of BlueTech’s TAG team, dialing in from Hawaii. He’s keeping a close eye on next-gen RO, new moves in ZLD, and a massively under-discussed opportunity: recovering industrial acids before they go down the drain. From plasma PFAS treatment to additive manufacturing of ceramic membranes, this episode tracks where water innovation is moving fast—and where it’s still catching up.Join the web briefings and explore the full Horizon Scans:July 22 – Identifying the next water sector “Unicorn” technologies | Download Horizon ScanJuly 24 – Point-of-Use / Point-of-Entry Trends | Download Horizon S

Did you know there are at least 16 different ways to capture carbon—and some of them actually generate water? Others, however, could increase water consumption at power plants by up to 30%. In this episode, Rhys and Divya unpack the complex relationship between water and carbon capture technologies, where scale-up is accelerating and trade-offs are becoming harder to ignore.They also turn their focus to AI: data centers powering tools like ChatGPT are guzzling up to 5 million gallons of water a day. Every prompt has a footprint—and it’s not just digital. From ceramic membranes in Memphis to new cooling metrics like WUE, the discussion surfaces the hidden water costs of decarbonisation and digitisation alike.Both topics are the subject of upcoming BlueTech web briefings, where the team will go deeper with invited experts. And as always, there’s a full research report available for each—covering the data, players, and technologies shaping these fast-evolving sectors.1️⃣ Carbon Capture and Water:Join the web bri

Dr Vishal Wagholikar joins Rhys and Divya to break down findings from his new Horizon Scan on cooling technologies. As data centres grow more power-hungry, water use is emerging as a blind spot—and a growing concern. The trio unpacks liquid cooling breakthroughs, water use effectiveness metrics, and shifting industry priorities. If you’re in cooling, water, or digital infrastructure, don’t miss this. The full report is now available on the BlueTech Intelligence platform. Download here or request access.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

January 2025 brought significant changes to the water industry. From extreme weather events affecting Cork, Australia, and LA, to the EPA's withdrawal of proposed PFAS limits following the new Trump administration. Bluetech will host a press briefing on the implications of these PFAS regulatory changes, particularly for biosolids management.New research reportsBluetech's latest research covers critical water sector challenges: stormwater management with digital and nature-based solutions, innovations in water conveyance addressing aging infrastructure, and advances in water treatment materials. The team has also analyzed emerging contaminants beyond PFAS, forecasting future regulatory trends.Atmospheric Water Generation: a market in transitionThe atmospheric water generation (AWG) market has evolved beyond its niche origins, now exceeding $100 million in revenue with projected growth to $800 million by 2030. New industrial applications are emerging, from carbon capture dehumidification to heat recov

In this finale episode, Rhys and Divya reflect on the year's achievements, including the launch of a Market-creating Legislation and Regulation Tracker and a review of photodynamic disinfection technology. They also delve into BlueTech's Top 10 Patent Applications for 2024 and share a sneak peek at the exciting topics slated for 2025. Stay tuned for updates on Bluetech Forum Unplugged, a new event format that promises more intimate and focused discussions. Happy holidays and see you in the new year! ✨--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this special episode of the BlueNotes Podcast, hosts Rhys Owen and Divya Inna are joined by Jacob Steele, Senior Research Analyst and author of BlueTech’s latest Horizon Scan on PFAS Destruction Technologies. This episode builds on the recent client-only web briefing, broadening the conversation to the wider water community about the persistent challenge of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and the technologies driving change.Jacob dives deep into the cutting-edge technologies reshaping the landscape of PFAS destruction. From electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation to pyrolysis, he explains how these methods pair with concentration technologies like foam fractionation to create effective treatment solutions. He also highlights the progress made by leading companies such as Axine Water Technologies, Aclarity, and Revive Environmental, shedding light on their innovative approaches and recent milestones.The conversation delves into the economics of PFAS destruction, comparing the costs and feasib

Green Chemistry takes center stage as Rhys and Divya dive into the world of sustainable chemical manufacturing and the importance of the 12 principles from the US EPA. Discover the challenges and potential of market adoption and the exciting developments in green alternatives like Hydrex and bio-based polyacrylamide flocculants. Shift focus to Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes as we explore emerging innovations in ceramic and graphene oxide membranes, and the implications of upcoming EU PFAS restrictions. Don't miss the buzz about the WEFTEC conference in New Orleans, where Bluetech Research is proudly hosting a range of events, including Jamming for Water, the Breakfast Briefing and the Innovators Forum. Reports & Resources:Download the reports on Green Chemistry and UF Membranes from the BlueTech PlatformWEFTEC 2024: Registration --Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the

With WEFTEC a couple of weeks from now, hosts Divya Inna and Rhys Owen dive into the highly anticipated event, which is the largest water industry event in North America, taking place in New Orleans. Join them as they highlight BlueTech Research’s top picks for the most impactful presentations and innovations, along with key events not to miss.You’ll hear an expert breakdown of the top abstracts submitted to WEFTEC and categorized by the most pressing industry themes like sustainability, PFAS removal, digital innovation, resource recovery, and more. Whether you’re attending WEFTEC for the first time or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with insights to help you get the most out of the conference.Key Discussion Points:BlueTech Research’s analysis of the top 50 WEFTEC abstracts covers themes like water reuse, sludge valorization, and PFAS removal technologies. Download from here.A spotlight on the 2024 Innovation Showcase, featuring seven cutting-edge companies from four continents, presenting breakth

Earth Observation Science (EOS) is a rapidly growing field, with applications ranging from water risk assessment to sustainability reporting. Satellite data can be used to monitor drought and flood risk, water quality, and leak detection. The market for EOS solutions in the water sector is estimated to reach $2 billion by 2027. Utility and technology providers are increasingly interested in this space. This market potential is explored in detail in BlueTech’s newly published report on EOS, which examines the technologies, market size, and key players. The report is especially relevant for municipal leaders, chief technology officers, R&D managers, and sustainability managers.Brine management and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) are also important topics in the water industry. While the market for these solutions has grown more slowly than expected, the market opportunity is currently estimated at $600 to $800 million.  Technological advancements have led to the development of smaller capacity systems, now bein

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, hosts Divya and Rhys discuss recent travels and conferences, including high-profile events on lithium and hydrogen. They delve into the lithium market and the technology breakthroughs in direct lithium extraction, as well as the challenges in the hydrogen economy. The conversation also covers advanced thermal sludge treatment technologies and recent regulatory changes in the EU Wastewater Directive. With a packed schedule of reports and analyses, there's plenty of valuable content to look forward to over the summer.Divya and Rhys highlight upcoming research reports for BlueTech clients, including brine management and ZLD technologies, micropollutants, earth observation science, green chemistry, PFAS regulations, and the intriguing world ofnanobubbles.Join our next web briefing on Brine Management and ZLD on 20th August: register here The Blue Notes podcast and our upcoming work represent the cutting edge of sustainable technology and innovation. By keeping up wi

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, the hosts, Rhys and Divya, begin with a discussion about recent technical hiccups Rhys faced and a brief update on Divya's camper van office situation due to a house move. They reflect on their experiences at the Bluetech Forum, highlighting key presentations and personal stories, including Professor Kongjian Yu's talk on China's sponge cities movement and various personal 'Ikigai' stories shared by participants. They also discuss the showcase awards and the innovative companies that stood out, such as WASE and Membrion. The conversation shifts to the Lighthouse Awards, recognizing pioneering water resilience projects, and a sneak peek into future research topics for Bluetech, including PFAS destruction technologies and earth observation science. The hosts wrap up by mentioning upcoming events like WEFTEC and the publication of top abstracts from the event.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Wat

This episode features the upcoming Bluetech Forum, an event hosted by BlueTech Research that convenes experts from the global water sector. Scheduled for June 3rd and 4th, the forum highlights include innovation showcases.  Hosts Rhys and Divya also discuss the event's emphasis on partnerships and collaborations, such as the five by five session. Keynote speakers, Kong Jianyu, discussing sponge cities, and Gary White, co-founder of Water.org, are anticipated. They also explain the Six Thinking Hats workshops aiming for enriched conversations among attendees. Additionally, the forum includes a screening of the documentary 'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey'. The hosts express excitement about in-person interactions, emphasizing the forum's value in networking and learning about cutting-edge solutions in water technology.00:00 Opening greetings 00:15 Previewing the Bluetech Forum00:43 What makes Bluetech Forum unique02:27 Highlighting innovation and emerging technologies06:01 Keynote speakers

In this episode, Rhys and Divya discuss the global premiere of 'Our Blue World, A Water Odyssey' in New York, highlighting the fantastic celebration of the planet and the event's success, attributed to the support from various partners. They also touch upon the Brave Blue World Foundation, aimed at fostering scientific, educational storytelling for public engagement. Additionally, the discussion veers into Bluetech Research updates, focusing on recent works around soft sensor technologies and reverse osmosis membranes, including insights into innovation impact analysis related to carbon nanotubes and graphene membranes. The episode provides an engaging overview of recent advancements and events in water technology, alongside personal stories from the hosts.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, hosts Rhys and Divya discuss a variety of topics including the excitement surrounding the global premiere of Bluetech's second documentary 'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey' on Earth Day in New York, welcoming key collaborators. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the new PFAS regulations by the EPA, setting strict maximum contaminant levels for drinking water, which poses challenges and opportunities within the water industry. Furthermore, an upcoming report on water and hydrogen showcases the intersection of the hydrogen economy and environmental sustainability. The episode also highlights the Bluetech Forum in Edinburgh, focusing on hydrogen and PFAS, and an upcoming web briefing on soft sensors technology. The episode wraps up with anticipation for the Bluetech Forum and the insights it promises to bring to water industry professionals00:00 Opening Greetings and Personal Updates00:21 Excitement for the Global Premiere in New York01:

This episode of Blue Notes dives into the world of water innovation. Join Divya and Rhys as they discuss the upcoming Bluetech Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 3rd-4th), where industry leaders will explore the latest water tech solutions.They then shift gears to chat about a critical environmental issue: greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants. They highlight a new Bluetech Research report on measuring and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, the biggest culprit. Learn about effective strategies for tackling this challenge.Looking to the future, the conversation explores the role of sensors and data in transforming the water industry. But it's not all smooth sailing - discover the challenges of integrating various technologies and ensuring cybersecurity.Divya and Rhys wrap up by sharing some recent industry news, including a surprising bankruptcy and a major company facing wastewater discharge violations. Plus, get a sneak peek at Bluetech Research's upcoming investigations in

We delve deep into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in the water industry as we explore the rapid evolution of AI technology, including machine learning and generative AI, and how large language models are revolutionizing data analysis, decision support, and customer service within the water sector.We also introduce our new artificial intelligence large language model watch service, designed to keep our clients informed about the latest developments in AI and its impact on the water industry.Furthermore, we share insights from the recent Produced Water Society conference, highlighting critical discussions on water scarcity and produced water management in the energy sector.Additionally, we discuss the results of a global survey conducted by Bluetech Research and the International Desalination Association, focusing on emerging desalination technologies such as brine mining, batch RO, and membrane distillation.A special spotlight is placed on Kemira’s KemC