Within this section, Nanobugle will test the 3 main key success factors for the development of new nanotechnology/nanoscience companies.

This week: South Africa

1) How was the company born?

Nanotech Water Solutions (Nanotech) is a South African water purification company, which delivers water purification, water treatment, and disinfection and filtration solutions to the Southern African market.

Nanotech was founded with a bedrock commitment to provide their clients with processed water that is pure, safe, reliable, and of a quality that not only meets, but also exceeds, the legal requirements. Jakes Jacobs (NHD in Extraction Metallurgy and a BTech degree in Marketing), Kevin Smit (Mechanical Engineering) and Ravi Govender (MTech degree in Chemical Engineering) founded Nanotech.

2) Added value of the products/services

Nanotech offers the latest disinfection technology locally, giving the client a choice between chlorine dioxide, steam generators, UV light and ozone for any water stream that needs to be treated.

To-date, pharmaceutical companies have responded to increasing pressure to adhere to international water specifications in producing pure water by using multi effect distillation. Nanotech has proved however, that vapor compression distillation is significantly more effective, producing better quality water that surpasses the required specification.

Nanotech also supplies filter elements and filter vessels, which maximize filtration efficiencies for a lower cost of ownership.

3) Business Strategy

According to Jakes Jackobs, General Manager of the company, “Water is our business and we’ve made it our business to stay on the leading edge of international water purification technology and trends. This business harnesses cutting edge technology to create solutions for the end user. We gladly accept the responsibility of being accountable custodians of these solutions way beyond commissioning”. They have designed, manufactured and commissioned more than 15 water purification plants in the past 2 years with relevant customers including L’Oreal and Colgate.

More information:

PO Box 1047,

Wilgeheuwel, 1736,

South Africa

www.nano-tech.co.za