Bauer Resources to License Technology in Construction of Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems Worldwide
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) has entered into an agreement with Germany-based
engineering and construction company, Bauer Resources GmbH, to
commercialize Alcoa’s Natural Engineered Wastewater Treatment technology
that mimics natural wetlands to sustainably treat wastewaters. Under the
agreement, Bauer will use Alcoa’s engineered wetlands technology to
deploy wastewater treatment systems globally.
The system, developed at the Alcoa Technology Center outside of
Pittsburgh, imitates the natural process of wetlands to clean and
disinfect process water. The system uses 40 percent less energy and has
60 percent lower operating costs than traditional systems, functions
without the use of chemicals, and does not emit odors associated with
conventional tank systems. Treated water is of high quality and can be
reused in manufacturing processes or for irrigation.
“We are pleased to partner with the Bauer Group to bring our engineered
wetlands technology to customers worldwide,” said Ray Kilmer, Alcoa’s
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. ”Alcoa’s
technology, combined with Bauer’s engineering, design and construction
expertise, will enable the sustainable treatment of municipal and
industrial wastewater, saving money and conserving water.”
Bauer Group brings significant wetlands technology expertise and
engineering, design and construction experience to the Alcoa-Bauer team.
In 2009, Bauer installed the largest wetlands treatment system in the
world for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in Nimr, Oman. The plant has
been successfully operating since January 2011.
“This partnership brings together two experts in innovative technology,”
adds Roman Breuer, Executive Board Member at Bauer Resources GmbH. “Our
goal is to deploy this proven technology worldwide. Regardless of market
– municipal waste water or even a wide range of industrial applications
– this technology and partnership can offer a solution.”
Alcoa has been engaged in engineered wetlands technology development and
deployment at various Alcoa locations for the last 10 years, with the
most recent and largest being a system implemented in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia at the Ma’aden-Alcoa joint venture project site. There, the
technology will reduce the facility’s water demand by two million
gallons a day, saving $7 million a year in water purchase costs for the
integrated aluminum complex.
Alcoa’s Natural Engineered Wastewater Treatment system comprises three
steps: (1) an anaerobic treatment tank that removes metals and breaks
down and separates organic material in the water; (2) a passive
engineered wetland that utilizes vegetation for further treatment of
organics and removal of nitrogen; and (3) a cell housing bauxite-based
technology that disinfects and polishes the water. The result is water
treated to the same or better quality as that of a conventional system.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa’s innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics, and industrial markets over the
past 125 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa®
wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and
building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such
as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for 12 consecutive years and approximately 75
percent of all aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use
today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 30 countries across
the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
About Bauer
Bauer is a specialized provider of services and equipment for
construction, groundwater and mineral resources. The Group markets its
products and services all over the world. Its business is divided into
three segments: Construction, Equipment and Resources. The Construction
segment carries out specialist foundation engineering work for complex
excavation pits and foundations on major infrastructure and building
projects all over the world. Bauer’s Equipment segment, a world market
leader, offers a comprehensive range of construction machinery,
equipment and tools for the specialist foundation engineering sector as
well as for other underground drilling operations, such as for mines,
water wells, geothermal energy sources, and oil and gas extraction. The
Resources segment bundles the Group’s activities in the fields of water,
energy, mineral resources and environmental technology. Founded in 1790,
Bauer today generates around three quarters of its total revenues
outside of Germany. Employing some 10,300 people, the Group’s total
revenues in 2012 were approximately EUR 1.45 billion (previous year: EUR
1.37 billion). BAUER Aktiengesellschaft has been listed on the official
market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since July 4, 2006. More
information can be found at www.bauer.de.
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Alcoa
Investor Contact:
Kelly Pasterick, 212-836-2674
Kelly.Pasterick@alcoa.com
or
Media Contact:
Lori Lecker, 412-553-3186
lori.lecker@alcoa.com