Wetox is an innovation that uses science to address one of today's biggest pollution problems, with the potential to clean-up New Zealand's rivers and waterways that have become polluted from run-off from our dairy farms, wineries and meat works.

Wetox breaks down smelly, liquid organic, methane-producing waste by turning it into by-products that can be reused. There is no waste after Wetox has been applied and the by-product, high-pressure steam, may be used to generate additional revenue streams.

The patented technology works by breaking down the organic matter in run-off from meat works, wineries and dairy farms, turning them into usable products such as water, fertilizer and acetic acid, the chief acid in vinegar.

John Errington, Chief Executive Officer at Viclink said: "Traditional wet air oxidation methods have been prohibitively expensive for most and the invention of Wetox will bring this timely technology to industries in a much more cost-effective way.

"The creation of Wetox is an example of how Viclink works with academics and business to solve real problems, such as cleaning-up New Zealand's waterways, and creates revenue for New Zealand from the export of this ground breaking technology."

Wetox is a vat or autoclave that is fed organic liquid waste that is made up of 7% to 10% solids. Through a patented process, the formerly problematic waste in the vat is turned into water, acetic acid, nitrates and phosphates that can either be used by the business or sold on. The high-pressure steam that is generated in the process can be used to drive a turbine for power generation or the heat generated can be used for industrial process heating.

Taylor Preston, a meat processing company in Wellington, recently conducted lab test using Wetox. Simon Gatenby, Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Preston said: "Wetox provides an increased level in environmental sustainability for manufacturing businesses that produce organic waste as part of their processes. We are excited to be involved in the development of Wetox with Viclink and forward to being able to gain benefit from a part of the waste stream that was previously a problem."

Sophie Howard, Commercialisation Manager at Viclink managed the development of Wetox from a thesis to a business. "We believe that even though the business is in the beginning stages, it shows international promise. We see the potential to sell hundreds of thousands of Wetox units per year worldwide where clean-tech industry is experiencing exponential growth and managing waste in a sustainable manner has become a global problem.

"The European market has been identified as one where Wetox could have a huge impact due to the existing strict legislation surrounding the treatment and disposal of wastewater."

Viclink identified the commercial potential of Wetox from a PhD thesis at Victoria University and began the process to commercialise the intellectual property. This included applying for patents, securing initial funding, researching market opportunities, testing the technology, hiring a management team and appointing a governance board.

The Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST) provided assistance to Viclink to help understand what the technology could do for the market. Viclink used the Global Expert Search, a FRST database of experts, to contact specialists in liquid waste for advice and feedback.

Dr Michael Richardson, Professor Jim Johnston and Associate Professor Peter Northcote, all from Victoria University of Wellington's School of Chemical and Physical Sciences are the creators of Wetox.

For more information, contact:

Sophie Howard

sophie.howard@viclink.co.nz

Tel: +64 4 463 9456