ELIQUO WATER & ENERGY B.V. (‘Eliquo’) and Downer Utilities (‘Downer’) are proud to announce their collaboration to jointly pursue and deliver projects in the water industry in Australia and New Zealand. The cooperation is focussed on treatment and recovery of energy and valuable nutrients from wastewater and sewage sludge.

Eliquo’s advanced technologies focus on the recovery of energy and nutrients from wastewater and the associated biosolids. Recently, Eliquo completed the conversion of the Dutch Amersfoort sewage treatment works into an energy autonomous and a commercial fertilizer producing facility.

Downer is a well-established delivery organisation with extensive experience in the construction and operation of water related infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. The collaboration will give water utilities access to state of the art technologies that will substantially reduce their cost of service and increase their sustainability – delivered and integrated safely into their existing assets.

The agreement was signed on the UNESCO world-heritage-listed Cockatoo Island in the Sydney Harbour, witnessed by His Majesty Willem-Alexander King of The Netherlands and Her Majesty Máxima Queen of The Netherlands. The State visit celebrates the 400th year anniversary of bilateral trade between Australia and The Netherlands, dating back to explorer Dirk Hartog’s landing at the coast of Western Australia in the year 1616.

”The Australian and New Zealand markets show strong receptiveness to proven innovative solutions from The Netherlands. Our cooperation with Downer will facilitate the export of Dutch knowledge and experience in a sustainable way”, said Rick Langereis, Managing Director, Eliquo.

Rick also added: “When delivering products and technologies from overseas, it is of crucial importance for us to serve our customers with locally embedded knowledge and adequate response mechanisms in case of service, maintenance and in situations that require immediate action in the field.”

“We’re very pleased to partner with Eliquo to bring their industry leading European technologies and innovations into the Australian market,” said Trevor Cohen, Executive Director, Downer Utilities.

“Our partnership with Eliquo is another way for us to demonstrate market leadership by continuing to add proven innovation and value to the complete water lifecycle solutions we provide to our customers," added Trevor.

Pictured from left to right: Mike Basterfield (General Manager Water Projects Downer Utilities), Luc Kox (Australia & New Zealand Representative Eliquo Water & Energy/Director Blue Horizon Solutions), Henk Kamp (Minister for Economic Affairs for The Netherlands), Her Majesty Máxima Queen of The Netherlands, His Majesty Willem-Alexander King of The Netherlands, Trevor Cohen (Executive Director Downer Utilities) and Anthony Johnston (Executive General Manager Strategy and Development Downer Utilities).

www.downergroup.com