Announcements

OriginClear venture partner commercializes FREEWATERBOX to convert waste into energy, irrigation water and algae as a soil conditioner

Los Angeles, CA and Nanterre, France – November 28^th, 2017 – Ennesys SA, a French award-winning biotechnology company, announced with its venture partner OriginClear Inc. (OTC/QB: OCLN), a leading provider of water treatment solutions, that it recently completed a one year demonstration of its FREEWATERBOX™ technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The containerized, self-sufficient waste water processing system recycles solid organic food waste and sewage into valuable by-products including fertilizer, algae-based soil conditioner and irrigation-grade water.

Since its installation a year ago, the FREEWATERBOX has operated continuously in the desert climate of Abu Dhabi where, as Ennesys states (photo, video), it processes up to 45 metric tons (about 16,000 gallons) of organic wastewater daily into irrigation water, while turning 500 kg of solid kitchen waste every day into 150 cubic meters of biogas for onsite electricity – rendering the system completely self-sufficient.

“Poor recycling of solid food waste is a major world problem that Ennesys helps to solve while showing the potential to reverse desertification,” said Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear. “Congratulations to CEO Pierre Tauzinat and his team for an outstanding achievement!”

In addition to the irrigation water and biogas, the system produces daily 80 kg of high-grade compost and 300 liters of algae-concentrate soil conditioner, branded as Alphybios™. According to Ennesys, Alphybios is a stimulant rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen plants’ immune systems and reduce their need for water and fertilizer. In fact, a study co-sponsored by OriginClear showed that algae concentrates may reduce conventional fertilizer expense by up to 40 percent.

The Alphybios algae-concentrate soil conditioner is added to the irrigation water from FREEWATERBOX to grow test crops near the pilot system. Even though the test plot ground is primarily desert sand, sugar cane, tomatoes and other plants flourish there.

In 2011, OriginClear helped launch Ennesys to target France’s sustainable energy law, RT 2020, which will require that buildings achieve a positive energy balance by the year 2020. Over the past few years, OriginClear has also provided Ennesys with algae harvesting, water sanitizing equipment, and technical expertise. OriginClear also transferred three algae-related patents to Ennesys on preferential payment terms to enhance its technology portfolio.

“The support provided by OriginClear over the years has been invaluable,” said Pierre Tauzinat, CEO of Ennesys. “We look forward to commercializing the FREEWATERBOX and are confident the technology will contribute to the world’s struggle toward water and food security.”

In a 2013 speech to the nation made at Ennesys (video), then-President François Hollande praised Ennesys as an innovative startup, and recognized the need to help such innovators, especially in reaching energy and environmental regulatory goals.