How enhanced tech drives global business sales and growth 

Micro-analysis for big improvements 

A Cranfield team was funded to explore the underlying science to BwB’s main technologies: the HYBACS^® (HYBrid ACtivated Sludge), a hybrid of biological processes; and FilterClear^®, an advanced filter. 

HYBACS — a technology acquired by BwB from South Korea and patented worldwide — involves two stages, rotating biofilm reactors (RBR) alongside a conventional activated sludge (AS) process. Hydrolysis (the breaking up of materials in water) is an important part of the hybrid process as hydrolysed materials are oxidised more readily at the AS stage, allowing for higher levels of loading and reductions in the size of tanks needed in treatment plants. Rather than the stimulation of bacterial growth, research identified how higher concentrations of hydrolytic enzymes were responsible for hydrolysis in the RBRs: an overproduction stimulated through the biofilm’s constant exposure to high BOD (meaning high levels of organic matter). 

FilterClear is a multimedia filter using a unique and patented combination of four filtration layers. New techniques to investigate small particles in water treatment processes were used to research and enhance the workings of the BwB filter, taking into account the particular forces associated with wastewater. Important insights were made into the performance and limits of the filter under different conditions, material types and load rates, leading to the adoption of features to improve backwashing and a more efficient media specification. 

Evidence revenues

Technology improvements rooted in evidence from academic research have been a strong platform for business development and sales:

• the BwB products, HYBACS and FilterClear, have been deployed by wastewater treatment operations across the UK, Bahrain, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa; 

• BwB was listed as the 35th fastest growing technology company in the UK in the 2020 Sunday Times Sage Tech Track 100 league table (the only water sector company in the list), with sales of £9.5 million, a rise of 93.7% over the previous three years; 

• sales grew further — to £17.9 million — in the period up to September 2020; 

• the confirmation from Cranfield research of the value of the HYBACS process was a key factor in major sales to Severn Trent Water, South West Water and United Utilities in the UK; to Marafiq/Saur in Saudi Arabia; and a £28.6 million order as part of the Tubli plant upgrade in Bahrain; 

• using Cranfield data, a FilterClear plant was designed specifically for phosphorus removal for national trials as part of the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) Chemical Investigation Programme; 

• FilterClear plants have been sold to five of the largest UK water utilities: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Severn Trent, Southern Water, United Utilities and Wessex Water. In 2022 the company had orders for around £20m.