August 2007

Agreement signed for Portugal

In appointing Tratamento De Agua Iberica, Lda (TAI) as sole agents in Portugal, UK-based Water and Effluent Treatment Contractor, ACWA Services has extended its international marketing network to secure potential business on the Iberian Peninsula.

ACWA's Business Development Manager, David Spurr, sees tremendous sales potential in the fast developing water and wastewater treatment sectors in both Portugal and Spain. "Our products are extremely compatible with the needs of the area", says David. We have a well established working knowledge of process requirements in hot climatic conditions and are able to supply and install some of the very latest technology. Our proven track record and proactive approach to design and contracting in similar areas of operation - particularly in membrane technology and desalination - should be of considerable value to operators requiring solutions to a variety of treatment problems."

Operated by Ian and David Kelly, TAI (located near Faro in the Algarve), has already established a successful water treatment business, focused on energy savings and reduced chemical usage through the application of state of the art electronic de-calcification systems. Current clients include many of Portugal's large hotel chains and major industrial companies which have already experienced more than 20% reductions in energy consumption from their water treatment systems.

"The response to our products and services from the Portuguese market has been incredible", says Ian, TAI's Sales Director. Our objective from the outset was to bring environmentally friendly new technology to the Portuguese water industry. The recent addition of ACWA Services to our portfolio now gives us the exciting capability of being able to offer a 'Total Solution'."

"New technology alone is not sufficient to succeed in Portugal", says Technical Director, David Kelly. Our success has been clearly defined by an ability to present and deliver the most appropriate technology in a way that is sympathetic to the professional and cultural differences that exist in the Portuguese water treatment industry. The water and wastewater sectors in Portugal still need a significant amount of investment in infrastructure. In certain areas, for instance, water supply can be poor due to inadequate pressure, storage capacity and maintenance. These problems, together with poor quality surface waters due to intensive agriculture and inadequate treatment facilities, offer both TAI and ACWA Services, clearly defined business opportunities."

As an International provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions, ACWA's multi-disciplined approach to project management services extends from initial feasibility studies through to process design, installation and commissioning for a wide range of process systems, including the provision of operating and maintenance services. As a member of the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), the Company also has the full support of one of the world's largest contracting organisations, with complete access to unparalleled resources of information, hands-on experience and detailed knowledge of the very latest techniques in environmental engineering.

ACWA Services is well established as an international provider of innovative and cost-effective solutions for desalination and water re-use - particularly in a hot and arid region of the Middle East where potable water supplies are often in short supply. To develop and support business in that part of the world, ACWA Emirates has established offices in Dubai, Jordan, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

The Company was recently awarded a major "Global Water Award" after successfully completing a membrane bioreactor treatment plant designed to handle 18,000m3/day of wastewater and sewage on the Palm Jumeira Development in Dubai. On this same group of man-made islands, ACWA is currently completing a $90M fast-track contract for two seawater desalination plants capable of producing 32,000m3/day of high quality drinking water for residential consumption.

During the past year ACWA Emirates has designed, installed and commissioned a number of significant processes using the very latest Kubota Flat Sheet Membrane Systems (MBR). These major projects have included a state of the art system for the AL ANSAB sewage treatment works in Muscat, Oman - the largest submerged membrane bioreactor in the world.