UCD wastewater boys win award

TWO young researchers have been honoured with a prestigious UCD award for the success of a spin-out company that will create 15 new jobs in 2016.

The co-founders of OxyMem, Professor Eoin Casey and Dr Eoin Syron, were presented with the NovaUCD 2015 Innovation Award during an event held at the centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs.

Professor Casey and Dr Syron, who are both researchers in the UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, were presented with the award by UCD President, Professor Andrew J Deeks.

The award was presented to them in recognition of the success and impact which OxyMem, a UCD spin-out, has achieved to date in the international, multi-billion euro wastewater treatment industry.

OxyMem’s Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) technology is making an impact on the global wastewater treatment sector, estimated to be worth €30 billion, by servicing a compelling market demand for energy efficient wastewater treatment without increasing the cost of capital equipment.

UCD President Professor Andrew J Deeks said: “The NovaUCD 2015 Innovation Award was presented to Professor Casey and Dr Syron in recognition of the successes they have achieved to date through the quality and impact of their research and through the impact of OxyMem in the global wastewater treatment industry.

“OxyMem, established to commercialise world-class UCD research outputs, is an excellent example of the quality of companies now emerging from the university. While only established in 2013, OxyMem has already grown significantly, employing over 40 people and already securing international clients.”

The technological breakthrough made at UCD by Professor Casey and Dr Syron, developed and refined with funding provided by Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, has transformed how wastewater is treated.

Their technology dramatically reduces the operating costs for wastewater treatment, resulting in a four-fold saving on energy costs when compared to forced aeration, the current industry standard.

The technology also delivers superior nitrogen removal, reduced chemical usage, reduced sludge production on a significantly smaller plant footprint, and can be fully automated.

This results in substantially lower energy, chemical and staffing costs for wastewater operators. 

Professor Eoin Casey said they were delighted to receive the prestigious University College Dublin award.

“The award not only recognises the success of OxyMem over the last few years but also recognises the 10 years of research and development activities at UCD on which OxyMem is built,” he said.

OxyMem employs over 40 people and has already raised €2.5 million from investors and Enterprise Ireland and secured clients in Ireland, UK, Spain, Sweden and in North America, Middle East and Far East.