Wastewater company wins innovation award

A UK company specialising in wastewater has won a prestigious award for innovation in the north-west.

Arvia Technology, a University of Manchester spin-out, has come first in the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation in Engineering Awards 2009 - North West thanks to their invention of a low carbon chemical and waste-free process for treating industrial wastewater.

Company chief executive Martin Keighley said the company was delighted to win the award and that it was a big achievement given the scope and quality of the competition.

Malcolm Sarstedt of Unilever and a fellow of the IET, who chaired the judging panel, said: "I'm proud to reward such unique innovations from the region and encourage all of the finalists to go on and generate even further recognition both for the innovations and for the region."

Meanwhile, Chemistry World recently reported that researchers from the US and China had developed a new system capable of removing dye from wastewater.

Written by Claire Manning