Aquacycl

Aquacycl, founded in 2016, is a company revolutionizing industrial wastewater treatment through its innovative BioElectrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT). The BETT system utilizes naturally occurring bacteria to treat high-strength wastewater while simultaneously generating electricity, making it an energy-neutral solution. This plug-and-play technology can handle organic wastewater concentrations up to 150,000 mg/L BOD, which is 7-10 times more concentrated than conventional treatment methods can manage. The system operates independently of electricity grids and sewer systems, making it suitable for various applications, including food and beverage manufacturing, hydrocarbon remediation, and manure management.

The BETT system's core technology involves microbial fuel cells that break down carbon-based organic matter in wastewater, capturing electrons in the process to produce direct electrical current. This approach not only treats wastewater effectively but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to alternative technologies. Aquacycl's solution eliminates primary sludge, minimizes secondary sludge, and produces irrigation-quality water that meets WHO standards. The company offers its technology as a service, providing customers with multi-year lease agreements that include monitoring, control, and sludge management.

In addition to BETT, Aquacycl has developed a Micro-Aeration Unit that uses a biological process to eliminate hydrogen sulfide emissions from industrial wastewater, addressing odor and safety concerns without chemicals. The company's solutions have been proven to reduce wastewater management costs by 20-60% for its clients. At a single PepsiCo plant, Aquacycl's system had mitigated more than 800 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in just one year.

Key customers and partnerships

Aquacycl has secured partnerships with major companies in the food and beverage industry. One of its most significant collaborations is with PepsiCo, where Aquacycl's BETT system has been deployed to treat wastewater from their manufacturing processes. This partnership has resulted in substantial cost savings and environmental benefits, with PepsiCo reporting a 23% monthly reduction in wastewater management costs.

The company has also worked with Joshua Tree Brewery, providing a solution that enabled the brewery to open by treating high-strength wastewater that the local infrastructure could not handle. Additionally, Aquacycl has partnered with a leading tank terminal to remove 100% of hydrocarbons and aromatics from wastewater, ensuring permit compliance.

In April 2023, Orbia's Building and Infrastructure business Wavin awarded Aquacycl USD 50,000 in non-dilutive capital after winning The Boiling Point Challenge, a pitch competition co-hosted by Orbia's Wavin business and Imagine H2O. This partnership aims to expand Aquacycl's reach and impact in the water technology sector.