Aquatech announced the acquisition of FTS H2O, an Oregon-based developer of membrane-driven brine concentration and resource recovery technologies, as the company expands its industrial water treatment and critical minerals processing platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition strengthens Aquatech’s capabilities in lithium processing, critical minerals recovery, produced water recycling, seawater brine mining, and zero liquid discharge technologies.
Following the transaction, FTS H2O’s Oregon headquarters will become Aquatech’s global Center of Excellence for membrane-driven brine concentration and resource recovery technologies.
Aquatech said the acquisition aligns with its strategy of integrating complementary technologies to provide full flowsheet industrial water and resource recovery solutions.
The deal adds FTS H2O’s portfolio of technologies to Aquatech’s existing water treatment platform, including RecovOAR osmotically assisted reverse osmosis technology, OsmoBC forward osmosis technology, and membrane brine crystallization systems.
According to the company, RecovOAR is designed to concentrate brine streams beyond 250g/L, approximately eight times higher than seawater concentrations, while improving energy efficiency across industrial operations.
FTS H2O’s technologies have been deployed across industries, including power generation, chemicals, semiconductors, produced water recycling, and lithium processing.
Aquatech said FTS H2O technologies will continue to be offered as part of integrated solutions as well as licensed modular treatment systems.
Aquatech operates globally across water reuse, desalination, critical minerals processing, and industrial wastewater treatment markets, with projects deployed in more than 60 countries.
KEY QUOTES:
“The FTS H2O team has built a well-deserved reputation as a true pioneer of high-recovery membrane processes with decades of experience, and we are delighted to welcome this world-class team to Aquatech.”
“Together, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the process solutions that our customers need to deliver high-performance brine concentration and resource recovery at scale.”
Ravi Chidambaran, President And CTO, Aquatech
“Since Aquatech’s initial investment in FTS H2O in 2023, we have established a close and highly productive collaboration to embed our technologies into lithium processing, brine mining, produced water, as well as high-recovery water reuse and zero liquid discharge applications.”
“We are looking forward to working within Aquatech to continue to push the limits of membrane brine concentration, and to commercialize new forward osmosis and membrane crystallization technologies.”
Keith Lampi, Managing Director, FTS H2O
