Member Article

Perlemax announces AECOM agreement to develop energy-saving technology

Fusion IP, the Sheffield-based university commercialisation company that turns world-class research into business, has announced that its portfolio company, Perlemax, a spin-out from the University of Sheffield, has entered into a licence agreement with AECOM.

The agreement is to develop Perlemax’s micro bubble energy-saving technology in the municipal waste water market. Waste water treatment accounts for 2% of the UK’s electricity consumption, and the Perlemax technology has the potential of delivering energy savings of between 20 and 40% to each plant on which it is installed.

Perlemax’s micro bubble generation is able to produce small bubbles using no additional energy and consequently improves the transfer of oxygen to the waste water.

The technology has been on trial at two sites in the British Isles with highly encouraging results. The licence agreement enables AECOM to use its significant global reach to market and implement the technology with water treatment companies.

The financial terms of the agreement were undisclosed.

Brenda Franklin, Global Technologist for AECOM commented: “AECOM values the longstanding relationship we have with Perlemax and the University of Sheffield and we are excited to now be at the stage to take this innovative energy saving technology to market. It will help our customers reduce their energy usage and carbon emissions which is an important goal for all of us.”

David Baynes, CEO of Fusion IP, added: “Perlemax is a business at an early stage of development, but is typical of the quality of the technologies emerging from our partner universities. Fusion IP is able to monitor and assist these new businesses in their early stages, making them ready for a larger investment at a later date.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .