Logo
    Search

    (don't) Waste Water!

    ❓ Ever wondered how the #WaterIndustry was reacting to our World's Water Challenges? Water Scarcity? #SDG6? PFAS? Climate Change? Circular Economy? Digitization and Smart Water? πŸ’ͺΒ Get the Water Market pulse for free. In one hour per week, while you do the dishes! πŸ“ˆ We talk water investment, water tech, water entrepreneurship and water market with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, book authors, scientists, investment funds, VCs, and C-Level experts from water majors. ➑️ Leverage their insights, advice & experience and ensure to stay on top of best practices πŸ—“οΈ Tune in every Wednesday (don't miss out! πŸ˜…) 🌐 Find all the detailed episode notes, interviews, infographics, and more at http://dww.show Currently in its 10th Season, the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast has already welcomed around 200 guests from Water Majors (SUEZ, Veolia, Jacobs, Xylem, Kemira, Evoqua, Aquatech, SKion Water...), Scale-Ups (Cambrian Innovation, Epic Cleantec, Liqtech, 374Water, Gingko Bioworks...), Start-Ups (Puraffinity, KETOS, 120Water, ZwitterCo, Membrion, Source...), Universities (Berkeley, the Columbia Water Center), Investment Funds (Sciens Water, Mazarine, Burnt Island Ventures...), Business Accelerators (Imagine H2O, Elemental...), Book Authors (Seth Siegel, David Sedlak, David Lloyd Owen...) or Market Intelligence Companies (BlueTech Research, Global Water Intelligence, World Bank, OECD, Isle Utilities...). Or simply water legends like Mina Guli or Andrew Benedek! On the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast, I strive to make the Water Industry easy to understand for everyone, starting with water professionals, executives, and investors. Hence, he opens the microphone to seasoned, inspirational water experts to discuss their field of excellence. No one can claim an all-around in-depth understanding of a matter as complex as Water. But piece by piece, you can rebuild the puzzle. With curiosity, patience, and passion, Antoine Walter explores topics such as Advanced Treatment Technologies, Water-Energy Nexus (Hydrogen, Lithium...), PFAS removal, Nature-Based Solutions, Wastewater Reuse, Distributed Water Treatments, Water Finance, and Water Entrepreneurship. I actually firmly believe that regular listeners of the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast may, in the end, claim a "Water MBA!" A particular field of interest is how innovation forms, grows and gets widely adopted in a complex and conservative field like the Water Industry. This may be one of the keys to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal nΒ°6 - #SDG6. ABOUT ME: I'm a second-generation Water Professional - the legend says my dad traded excavator sessions for me in river banks against lunch invitations. I followed on this early start by completing a Master's in Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering, then won the "Golden Mission" contest organized by ENGIE (GDF-SUEZ). This led me to travel the Asia-Pacific region for one year to explore, amongst others, water treatment in Hong Kong, desalination facilities in Melbourne, water distribution management in Jakarta, water innovation in Singapore or social water projects in New Delhi and Gujarat. All of that was documented in videos, blog articles, radio spots, and conferences in engineering and business schools (that's where I got hooked!) I've then worked for SUEZ in Switzerland in strategic marketing, business development, and sales for the DACH and Nordic regions, with an emphasis on micropollutant removal. I then joined GF Piping Systems in 2017 to take over the business development for the company's services in Europe, then for all Water Treatment and Lithium topics worldwide. I've been a regular speaker at conferences on four continents, gave my first TEDx in 2022, and regularly acted as a host. Since 2020, I've been hosting the "(don't) Waste Water" podcast and giving lectures in Business and Engineering schools. I'm married, a happy father of three, and I'm French (nobody's perfect πŸ˜…).
    enAntoine Walter375 Episodes

    Episodes (375)

    The Big Shift: How Consolidation is Reshaping Water Services (w. Tom Rooney)

    The Big Shift: How Consolidation is Reshaping Water Services (w. Tom Rooney)

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Tom Rooney – Chairman at Sciens Water

    πŸ’§ Sciens is a research-driven investment fund that identifies uncovered, under-researched, or misunderstood water sector opportunities that are undercapitalized.


    ▢️ This episode is a Bonus to my deep dive on M&A in the #waterindustry check it out on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/W6BmMc6D4Qk?si=xGwH0iEettOcSb_B


    ▢️ Or read the full blog entry on How to buy a Water CompanyΒ 


    πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ


    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste...


    πŸ‘‹ Β SOCIAL MEDIA Β πŸ‘‹Β 


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewa...

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWat...


    In this eye-opening episode of "Don't Waste Water," we delve into the dynamic world of water services, examining the significant shift brought about by the consolidation of the industry. Join us as we explore the intricate dance of mergers and acquisitions reshaping the landscape of water utilities.


    🌊 Key Insights:


    Unraveling the Consolidation Trend: We dissect why major players like Veolia and Xylem are acquiring companies like Suez and Vauquois, and what this means for the future of water services.

    Fragmentation vs. Integration: Discover how the U.S. water infrastructure's profound fragmentation contrasts starkly with the emerging trend of consolidation. What are the implications for small and large utilities alike?

    Technology Roll-Down: Learn about innovative approaches like the 'Blue Box' technology, transforming the accessibility of advanced water treatment for smaller utilities.

    Regulatory Perspectives: We delve into the role of regulators in this consolidation trend, balancing the scales between progress and fair competition.


    πŸ” In-Depth Analysis:


    Guest Insights: Hear from industry experts who provide their unique perspectives on how these changes are influencing the water sector's strategic, operational, and technological directions.

    Impact on Communities: Understand how these shifts impact local communities, from the quality of water services to environmental sustainability.

    🌐 Global Context:


    We broaden the scope to understand how these trends in the U.S. align with global movements in the water sector.

    🌟 For Whom?

    Whether you're a C-suite executive, investor, water entrepreneur, or simply a water-conscious citizen, this episode offers valuable insights into the changing tides of water services.


    πŸ“ˆ The Big Picture:

    By the end of this episode, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the current state and potential future of the water industry amidst this 'Big Shift.'


    πŸ”” Subscribe and Stay Informed:

    Don't miss out on our deep dives into water industry trends, strategies, and technologies. Subscribe to "Don't Waste Water" for more content that quenches your thirst for knowledge!

    These 5 Water Technologies Mitigate CO2 Emissions 5000x Better than Trees

    These 5 Water Technologies Mitigate CO2 Emissions 5000x Better than Trees

    We think aout carbon emissions when we fly, not when we flush! Let me coin that phrase, which opens up my reflection this week on a water professional's carbon impact and the ways to mitigate it through deploying water technologies.


    Let's dive into the heart of the water sector's role in CO2 emissions and explore innovative technologies that could drastically reduce our carbon footprint.Β 


    I share my personal journey of grappling with the guilt of my carbon emissions and how it led me to discover solutions far more effective than planting trees.


    First, let's summarize Xylem, Cambi and Global Water Intelligence's findings on the Water Sector's Carbon Footprint. It surprisingly compares almost one to one in CO2 equivalent emissions with the aviation industry.


    Then, let's explore 5 Carbon Mitigation Strategies in the Water Sector:


    1️⃣ Leak Reduction - Discussing the impact of 126 billion cubic meters of lost drinking water annually and how pressure management can significantly reduce this loss and the associated carbon impact.

    2️⃣ Smart Pumps: How optimizing pumps with AI and machine learning can slash energy use and CO2 emissions.

    3️⃣ Biogas Enhancement: The potential of anaerobic digestion and thermal hydrolysis processes in wastewater treatment plants to produce biogas, replacing fossil fuels. (And what I used to do kind of wrong in that field)

    4️⃣ Aeration Optimization: The role of AI in optimizing the activated sludge process, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating nitrous oxide emissions.

    5️⃣ Advocacy and Policy Influence: The importance of regulations and incentives in driving sustainable practices in the water sector.


    I'm closing on a personal touch, reflecting on the impact of the Water circus on the road twice a week all year long. It's great if the water sector compensates its emissions, but what if it didn't create them in the first place? Let's set ourselves on the path to 2050!


    Bottom line; think critically about your own carbon footprint and the broader implications of everyone's daily water use. Let's all challenge conventional ideas and present an opportunity for water professionals and enthusiasts to contribute to a more sustainable future.


    Additional Resources


    The power of MABRΒ 

    Better understanding Methane emissionsΒ 

    Fighting Nitrous Oxide emissions in Wastewater TreatmentΒ 

    Cutting the Water Sector's carbon emissions in half (at no cost)Β 

    The potential of the Thermal Hydrolysis ProcessΒ 


    Following my tracks on the IOT Use Case Podcast (together with Aerzen)Β 


    The full blog article on this week's episode covering the Water Sector's Carbon ImpactΒ 


    ⬇️ In this Episode ⬇️ 


    00:00 My 12-Ton CO2 Problem

    00:50 The Superpower of Water Pros

    01:40 Where do the Water Sector's CO2 emissions come from?

    02:51 Water Technology nΒ°1

    06:26 Water Technology nΒ°2

    09:33 Water Technology nΒ°3

    12:43 Water Technology nΒ°4

    16:11 Water Technology nΒ°5

    19:15 Conclusion

    S10E10 - How to Buy a Water Company (and Turn in a Profit)

    S10E10 - How to Buy a Water Company (and Turn in a Profit)

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Tom Rooney - Chairman at Sciens Water

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Alex Buehler - CEO at Integrated Water Services

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Damian Georgino - Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson


    ***


    🌊 Dive into the riveting world of water company acquisitions in this episode of "Don't Waste Water," where we unravel the strategies behind turning water utilities into profitable ventures.


    🚰 Featuring insights from industry giants like American Water, Essential Utilities, and Central States Water Resources (CSWR), we explore their aggressive M&A tactics. American Water's staggering 245 acquisitions since 2000 and CSWR's recent 83 deals in a single year are just the tip of the iceberg.


    πŸ” Uncover the surprising reason behind the U.S.'s fragmented water utility sector. With over 50,000 water systems and 35,000 wastewater systems, many small-scale utilities are failing to meet health standards. This episode sheds light on the urgent need for consolidation and improvement.


    πŸ’‘ Learn from Tom Rooney, Alex Buehler, and Damian Georgino about the transformative power of scale in improving water utility operations. Discover how larger entities can implement advanced technologies to enhance service quality and ensure safer water for all.


    🧐 Examine the potential risk of monopolization in the water industry. We debunk myths and provide a reality check on the pace of consolidation in the U.S. compared to other countries like the UK.


    πŸŽ™οΈ Special guests Alex Loucopoulos and Tom Rooney from Sciens Water share their expertise in creating efficient water utility ecosystems. Delve into their innovative approach of "rolling up" service providers and "rolling down" technologies to bridge the gap in the water sector.


    πŸ”„ Explore the concept of "tech aggregation" in the water industry. Companies like Integrated Water Services are leading the charge in bundling and scaling up solutions to serve the middle market effectively.


    🌐 Go beyond the surface with discussions on the strategies of other leading companies in the sector, including Evoqua, Nijhuis Saur Industries, and SKion Water.


    πŸš€ Wrap up with a forward-looking perspective from Tom Rooney, predicting more consolidation in the water industry and its surrounding ecosystem.


    πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ


    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Full Article:


    πŸ‘‹ Β SOCIAL MEDIA Β πŸ‘‹Β 


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWaterPodcast


    ➑️ Useful Links:


    Sciens Water: https://www.scienswater.com

    My 5 Killer Water Technology Breakthroughs from Aquatech Amsterdam 2023

    My 5 Killer Water Technology Breakthroughs from Aquatech Amsterdam 2023

    Fresh from the bustling halls of Aquatech Amsterdam 2023, the water sector's epicenter for cutting-edge insights, here's my personal selection of the water technologies you need to hear about. There's a bit of disruption, a bit of translation, a tad of sturdiness, and a good piece of grit, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Shall we look into it?


    This recap from Aquatech Amsterdam 2023 covers the most exciting water technologies on display at the event. In the video, I go through my top five picks, discussing innovative technologies such as the smart removal of cellulose from wastewater by Purgatoria, Zwitterco's brand new reverse osmosis membrane technology, or BluElephant's take at the good old MBR.Β 


    The episode also highlights emerging trends in the industry and includes interesting discussions with representatives from various companies, making it essential viewing for professionals in the water sector.Β 


    Check out my full article on Aquatech Amsterdam 2023Β 


    πŸŽ™οΈWhat I covered πŸŽ™οΈ


    🌊 How Aquatech Amsterdam became the nexus for groundbreaking water technologies in 2023.

    πŸš€ Why the "Cool Kids" of water tech, like Aquacycl and Membrion, are rapidly expanding and innovating.

    🌐 What ZwitterCo's revolutionary RO membrane means for the future of water treatment.

    πŸ€– How ZwitterCo is transforming water desalination with their cutting-edge technology.

    πŸ’‘ Why BluElephant's autonomous, off-grid MBR is a game-changer in wastewater treatment.

    🌿 What makes BluElephant's MBR unique: combining simplicity, autonomy, and affordability.

    🎯 How serendipitous encounters at Aquatech led to unexpected and valuable insights.

    🌱 Why green lime innovation could significantly impact carbon emissions in the water sector.

    🧠 How Aquatech's unique environment fosters specific and highly relevant conversations.

    πŸ”„ What the innovative technology from Purgatoria reveals about recycling toilet paper.

    πŸ’ͺ How Purgatoria's technology can boost the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants.

    🌍 Why Purgatoria's approach to cellulose recovery could be a major step towards environmental sustainability.

    πŸ“ˆ How Aquatech Amsterdam exemplifies the evolution of water marketing and industry trends.


    ⬇️ In this Episode ⬇️ 


    00:00 A Warm Welcome from Aquatech Amsterdam 2023

    0040 5 - the Cool Kids are growing!

    02:16 4 - A Technological leap from ZwitterCo?

    07:16 3 - The Ideal Decentralized MBR?

    12:15 2 - The Best Water Tradeshow?

    16:50 1 - The OTHER treasure in your toilets

    22:32 Conclusion

    S10E9 - Coding the Future: Ginkgo Bioworks' Synthesis of Biology and Technology

    S10E9 - Coding the Future: Ginkgo Bioworks' Synthesis of Biology and Technology

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Kimberly Kupiecki - Senior Director at Gingko BioworksΒ 

    πŸ’§ Ginkgo Bioworks is the software company for biology, coding DNA to create custom cells that solve real-world problems.


    What we covered:


    πŸ”¬ Why Ginkgo Bioworks is like programming life itself - Kimberly Kupiecki unveils the art of coding cells, not just computers.Β 

    πŸ’§ How the water sector intersects with synthetic biology - Ginkgo Bioworks eyes growth in the biosensor space.Β 

    🏭 What's beyond water - Kupiecki's role spans from industrial applications to dabbling in pharmaceuticals. 

    πŸ§ͺ How Ginkgo's foundry's 'secret sauce' lies in high-throughput screening, turning outliers into discoveries.Β 

    🌱 Why the synthesis of nature and science at Ginkgo could revolutionize materials, starting with the very building blocks. 

    πŸš€ How agility in assimilating feedback and implementing rapid changes marks the cultural shift from DuPont to a scale-up.Β 

    🌱 What aggressive 2025 goals balance the scale-up's growth with the necessity of becoming earnings positive. 

    πŸ’‘ Why building intellectual property (IP) adds layers of downstream value without expanding physical footprints.Β 

    🎒 How embracing risk leads to personal expansion, a sentiment echoed in Kimberly Kupiecki's mentoring approach. 

    🌟 Why "The Beautiful Mess" captures the essence of juggling motherhood and a career in male-dominated industries. 

    🌱 What innovative approaches to carbon reduction excite industry leaders? Kimberly Kupiecki reveals a game-changing negative carbon mechanism. 

    🀝 How stakeholder insight forms the backbone of success; Kimberly Kupiecki emphasizes learning from stakeholder dynamics. 

    πŸ“˜ Why endorsements and marketing strategies are crucial for launching your book; Kimberly Kupiecki shares her pre-launch jitters.


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    πŸ”— Have a look at Gingko Biowork's websiteΒ 

    πŸ”— Come say hi to Kimberly on Linkedin

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on Gingko Bioworks 

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.show 

    What is the Price of a Human Life? Study reveals.

    What is the Price of a Human Life? Study reveals.

    Ready to shake up how you think about water investments? This episode dives into the Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) and how it can be a game-changer for justifying water projects. πŸ’§πŸ’°


    We're not just talking numbers; we're talking about lives saved and the economic benefits that ripple through communities. From policy decisions on airbags to the cost of treating water, we're breaking down why the VSL could be the missing link in your water investment strategy. πŸ“Š


    If you're an investor, water entrepreneur, or policy-maker, this episode offers a fresh lens on how to evaluate the ROI of water projects. Don't miss it! 🎧


    πŸ‘‰ Got thoughts? We're all ears. Reach out and let's keep the conversation going. πŸ—¨οΈ


    If you think we might be a match, reach out to me: antoine@dww.show Β 
    I’ll send you over my little sponsoring slide deck and we’ll take it from there!


    Get Amazing Day by Coldplay and over 1M + mainstream tracks here https://go.lickd.co/Music

    License ID: XeJAnanjZM0

    Will Gradiant Succeed with H+E where SUEZ, Stulz, and RENA failed?

    Will Gradiant Succeed with H+E where SUEZ, Stulz, and RENA failed?

    Ever seen a family drama as intense as 'Game of Thrones'? Well, Hager und ElsΓ€sser (H+E) has had its share of suitors and heartbreaks, and it's about to get more dramatic.


    🀯 Get ready for an M&A rollercoaster that'll leave you hanging on to your seat. Ever wondered why H+E, a company that's been around since 1932, has changed hands like a hot potato? This video deep-dives into the tumultuous journey of H+Eβ€”its rise, fall, and limbo.Β 


    πŸ‡«πŸ‡·πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ From French conglomerates like SUEZ to German family businesses, H+E's narrative is rich in culture clashes and financial woes. Yet, something remains intriguingly 'odd' about the company.Β 


    πŸ‘€ Gradiant has just walked into the arena with a fresh MIT vibe. Will they be the ones to finally sweep H+E off its feet, or are we setting the stage for another M&A tragedy? πŸ€”


    πŸ”‘ What's Inside:


    A tearjerker of an adoption story that starts with Stulz-Planaqua and Hager und ElsΓ€sser.Β 

    M&A Blunders & Culture Clashes: SUEZ, DegrΓ©mont, RENA - the list is long!Β 

    The billion-dollar question: Is H+E's technology misunderstood or just too ahead of its time?Β 

    Why Gradiant’s latest move to acquire 51% of H+E is the plot twist we've been waiting for.Β 


    πŸ’₯ Don't miss out on this water-sector saga that could teach HBO a thing or two about plot twists! πŸ›Ž Subscribe now and hit that bell!Β 


    πŸ‘‰ Here are the podcast episodes mentioned in today's video:

    SKion Water / Reinhard HΓΌbner: https://dww.show/the-7-secrets-of-the-water-company-of-the-year-you-shall-absolutely-steal/

    Aquarion / Karl Michael Millauer: https://dww.show/the-fascinating-story-of-the-man-who-has-35-water-companies-to-sell/

    Supercritical Water Oxidation / Kobe Nagar: https://dww.show/is-supercritical-water-oxidation-a-solution-for-pfas-energy-more/


    ⬇️ In this Episode ⬇️ 


    00:00 When Hager und ElsΓ€sser was up for Adoption

    01:22 Hager und ElsΓ€sser's Story

    03:04 Cultural Clashes between France and Germany

    03:57 H+E's story (continued)

    04:21 Cash Troubles and Insolvency

    05:54 Aquarion: a New Hope for Hager und ElsΓ€sser?

    07:29 H+E and Stulz-Planaqua followed different paths

    09:29 Gradiant: the Last Hope for Hager und ElsΓ€sser?

    12:04 A great M&A case study!

    S10E8 - Is Big Media Failing Us, or Are We Failing the Water Folks?

    S10E8 - Is Big Media Failing Us, or Are We Failing the Water Folks?

    with πŸŽ™οΈ J. Carl Ganter - Managing Director at Circle of Blue

    πŸ’§ Circle of Blue is an award-winning team of leading journalists, scientists, data experts, communications designers, and facilitators that reports challenges and solutions to global resource issues with emphasis on the fierce and growing competition between Water, food, and energy in a changing climate.


    ***


    We're diving deep into a topic that's been swept under the rug for far too long: the media's coverage of water issuesβ€”or lack thereof. Are journalists dropping the ball, or is the water sector failing to make its case?


    πŸ“Œ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:


    βœ… Why mainstream media often overlook critical water issues.

    βœ… How the water sector struggles with its own narrative.

    βœ… The role of specialized press bodies like Circle of Blue.

    βœ… Actionable steps YOU can take to make a difference!

    βœ… The 6-Step Framework to make journalists and Politicians Craving for the developments of your Water Story


    πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ


    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Full Article: https://dww.show/is-big-media-failing-us-or-are-we-failing-the-water-folks/


    πŸ‘‹ Β SOCIAL MEDIA Β πŸ‘‹Β 


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWaterPodcast


    ➑️ Useful Links:


    Sciens Water: https://www.scienswater.com

    Circle of Blue: https://www.circleofblue.org/


    ⬇️ In Today's Episode:


    00:00 We Have a Water Problem

    01:10 Big Media and Water Pros: Total Strangers?

    02:06 Introducing: J. Carl Ganter (Circle of Blue)

    04:52 How to better cover the Story of our Lifetime?

    07:07 How to Personalize the Water Narrative?

    08:21 The Heartbreaking Story of Pesticides in Nebraska

    10:22 How to impress a Congressman on a Plane?

    12:55 How to get water into local news?

    14:39 What to learn from Matt Damon: The Movie Trailer Magic

    15:56 The 6-Step Framework to Make your Story Stick

    17:58 Sponsor: Sciens Water

    19:13 What is Circle of Blue?

    21:21 Conclusion

    The 6-Step Framework to Make your Water Story Haunting

    The 6-Step Framework to Make your Water Story Haunting

    In a world saturated with content, what makes a good movie trailer stand out? The answer lies in a potent blend of psychology, novelty, and familiarity. Trailers like Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" and George Lucas's "Star Wars" have set the gold standard, employing a mix of well-known tropes and groundbreaking elements to captivate audiences.Β 


    Marvel Studios has taken this to the next level, mastering the "novel yet familiar" approach and leveraging psychological principles like the Zeigarnik effect to leave audiences wanting more.Β 


    And if trailers and teasers have proven to be a game-changer for dozens and dozens of movies, beyond the silver screen, the principles that make them compelling can be applied to our everyday storytelling, whether it's a business presentation, a social media post, or a pitch to a local journalist to "news hack" a Global Trend.Β 


    By understanding the psychology and strategies behind successful movie trailers, we can craft narratives that not only capture attention but also sustain it, making our stories as unforgettable as the films they promote.


    And coincidence or not, if you've ever followed my advice and read the Worth of Water book by Gary White and Matt Damon - who should know one thing or two about movie trailers - the opening chapter exactly follows the 6-step framework that Phill Agnew lays out.


    Step 1 - Identify the Core Message

    That's the narrative we discussed with Carl minutes ago; in the example of the Water.org founders' book, that's the win-win-win perspective of achieving Water for all.Β 


    Step 2 - Blend Novelty and Familiarity

    In theory, that's Star Wars combining the Hero's Journey with Space Opera. In the case of our book, that's a water charity, but combined with a bank and Nobel-prize-winning microcredit strategy.


    Step 3 - Cast for Impact

    Matt Damon, do I need to add anything here? Well actually yes, because it's not just the impact of a big name; it's also a blend of novelty and familiarity, as just explained. The well-known Matt Damon, but not cast as Jason Bourne but as an NGO founder with a high drive for impact.


    Step 4 - Craft the Narrative Arc

    Remember how Carl explained minutes ago how two pictures ended the Vietnam War? Or the heartbreaking story of the parents of the deceased football player in Nebraska? In Water.org's book, it's Matt Damon getting to know Wema along her long road to collect Water for her family.


    Step 5 - Zeigarnik Effect

    Don't close the action; let things open. That happens several times in Matt Damon and Gary White's story. But we had an even greater example with Carl's congressman story: when he says "I work in water security. And I leave it at that." the congressman can't resist the urge to get to know what happens next.


    Step 6 - Choose the Release Timing Wisely

    For the "Worth of Water" book, that was right in time to get people buzzing about it before the UN Water Conference, and guess who then got to feature in the opening segment of that Conference - probably also the only one worth watching? Along the same lines, that's word for word Carl's advice of picking the right story at the right time and constantly being on the lookout for planets aligning with that regard.Β 


    So here you go, a bullet-proofed 6-step framework to get your local news reporter intrigued or to shed new light on your water innovation's impact.Β 


    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how to finally build the Water Narrative

    S10E7 - The REAL Ocean Killer (Microplastics) is in your Closet!

    S10E7 - The REAL Ocean Killer (Microplastics) is in your Closet!

    πŸ‘€ Think plastic straws are the ocean's worst enemy? Think again! The real culprit is hiding in plain sightβ€”in your closet! In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Adam Root, the CEO and founder of Matter, a game-changing company tackling microplastics at the source - i.e., the washing machine. Plus, we're diving deep into the facts, figures, and future solutions that could save our oceans. 🌊


    πŸŽ™οΈ Featuring:


    Adam Root, CEO & Founder of Matter

    Hosted by Antoine Walter, your go-to water industry expert


    πŸ“š Topics Covered:

    1️⃣ The Invisible Threat: What are Microplastics?

    2️⃣ The Source: Your Washing Machine's Dirty Secret

    3️⃣ Matter's Innovative Solutions: From Laundry to Legislation

    4️⃣ The Global Impact: Legislation, R&D, and Education

    5️⃣ Your Role: Simple Steps to Make a Difference


    πŸ”— Links & Resources:


    Check out Matter's hardware filter, Gulp: https://gulp.online

    A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, Sciens Water: https://www.scienswater.com


    πŸ‘‡ Why You Can't Miss This Episode:


    πŸ“ˆ Investment Insights: Learn why tackling microplastics is not just an environmental need but a business opportunity.

    🌍 Global Perspective: Understand the scale of microplastics pollution and what's being done globally.

    πŸ› οΈ Tech Talk: Get the inside scoop on Matter's groundbreaking technology.

    🎧 Also Available as a Podcast:

    Find this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify


    πŸ‘‰ Subscribe & Ring the Bell πŸ›ŽοΈ:

    Don't miss out on our latest episodes, investment tips, and water industry deep dives. Subscribe and hit the notification bell now!


    πŸ‘‡ Join the Conversation πŸ‘‡

    What are your thoughts on microplastics? Have you made any changes to reduce your microplastic footprint? Share your thoughts in the comments below!


    πŸŽ™οΈ PODCAST πŸŽ™οΈ


    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water


    πŸ‘‹ Β SOCIAL MEDIA Β πŸ‘‹Β 


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWaterPodcast

    S10E6 - The $500 Million Bio-based Bet: Kemira's Growth Accelerator Unveiled

    S10E6 - The $500 Million Bio-based Bet: Kemira's Growth Accelerator Unveiled

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen - President Industry and Water Segment at KemiraΒ 

    πŸ’§ Kemira markets safe and sustainable chemistries that are part of a good life, ensuring hygiene, safe water, food safety, and more.


    What we covered:


    🌍 How Kemira is revolutionizing water treatment with a purpose-driven approach to chemistry.  

    🀝 Why the power of partnerships is non-negotiable for Kemira's success.  

    πŸ’‘ What sets Kemira apart: a relentless focus on innovation to solve real-world challenges. Β 

    ♻️ Why Kemira is a game-changer in the circular economy, turning waste into valuable resources.Β 

    πŸ”— How Kemira's multi-faceted solutions go beyond just chemistry, incorporating digital tools and AI for optimization. Β 

    🎯 What makes Kemira a leader in customer-centric approaches, tackling new challenges as regulations evolve. 

    πŸ“ˆ How Kemira Beat the Odds: Navigating through COVID-19 and volatile markets to achieve impressive growth. Β 

    🌍 Why Global Reach Matters: Dominating Europe and North America while eyeing expansion in China.  

    πŸ”¬ What's ViviMag: Introducing new applications like phosphorus recovery and PFAS treatment. Β 

    🌿 How to Go Green: Transitioning from 60% virgin materials to bio-based alternatives.  

    πŸ€– Why ChemConnect is a Game-Changer: Leveraging predictive analytics and AI for smarter water treatment. Β 

    πŸš€ How Reliability Fuels Growth: Winning customer trust through consistent delivery, even in crises.Β 

    🎯 How Customer Needs Drive Innovation: Kemira's quest to replace fossil-based materials without compromising performance.  

    🀝 Why Partnerships Matter: Leveraging collaborations and a $500M growth accelerator to fuel bio-based product revenue by 2030.  

    🌿 What "Walking the Talk" Means: Moving beyond buzzwords to make concrete steps in sustainability and decarbonization.  

    πŸ“Š How Metrics Define Success: Aligning personal KPIs with business targets for a win-win outcome. Β 

    🌊 Why Water is the New Cool: Observing a surge in industry excitement and collaboration, especially in digital solutions.


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    πŸ”— Have a look at Kemira's websiteΒ 

    πŸ”— Come say hi to Tuija on Linkedin

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how Kemira makes a $500 Million biobased bet 

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.show 

    Sipping the Champagne of Drinking Water with THE Water Sommelier: Milin Patel

    Sipping the Champagne of Drinking Water with THE Water Sommelier: Milin Patel

    🌊 Welcome to a Water Experience Like No Other! 🌊


    In this exclusive episode, we're diving deep into the world of water tasting with none other than Milin Patel, THE Water Sommelier. But this isn't just any tasting session; it's an experience that will elevate your understanding of H2O to new heights!


    πŸ—½ Where It All Happened πŸ—½

    I had the incredible opportunity to meet Milin during New York's Climate Week, specifically at the "Rethinking Water" conference. This enlightening event was organized by the Columbia Climate School and Sciens Water, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer!


    πŸ™ Special Thanks to Sciens Water πŸ™

    I owe a HUGE thank you to Sciens Water for inviting us to this transformative event. Your commitment to reimagining the future of water is nothing short of inspiring. I'm so honored to be a part of this journey with you.


    🧠 Wanna learn more about Sciens Water? 🧠

    Sciens is a fundamental research-driven investor that identifies pockets of opportunity in the water sector that benefit from long-term macro factors but are uncovered, under-researched, and misunderstood, and consequently under-capitalized by the capital markets. Sciens makes control investments in the U.S. water infrastructure and related companies where it can generate both yield and capital appreciation through the application of value-added strategies developed through over 25 years of private equity investment experience.

    ➑️ Check them out ➑️ https://scienswater.com/


    πŸ₯€ What's Inside πŸ₯€


    A comprehensive backstory to Milin Patel, the Water Sommelier

    The art and science of building vocabulary to elevate the Water Experience (especially from Tap)

    When to appreciate your tap water and when to open a fine water bottle

    Milin's top picks for the most exquisite waters you've never heard of

    ... And so much more!


    Come say hi to Milin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milionh20/

    S10E5 - How Open Innovation Fueled Evoqua's Resurrection

    S10E5 - How Open Innovation Fueled Evoqua's Resurrection

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Ann Perreault - Vice President for Strategic Marketing & Growth at Evoqua Water TechnologiesΒ 

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Joshua Griffis - Director of Technology & Innovation at Evoqua Water TechnologiesΒ 

    πŸ’§ Evoqua is a global leader in helping municipalities and industrial customers protect and improve the world's most fundamental natural resource: water


    What we covered:


    πŸ’§ How net water positivity is the new gold standard, making a splash beyond just offsetting usage to actively generating more water.Β 

    🀝 Why strategic IP development safeguards the partnerships Evoqua is building in the industry, making it more than just a game of patents. 

    πŸ“ˆ What the real playbook behind Evoqua's acquisitions reveals: it's not just R&D expenditure but a broader, synergistic growth strategy.Β 

    🀝 How synergy supercharges tech: Joshua and Ann discuss that when two technologies collide, they often create something greater than their individual parts. 

    🎯 What every water business needs to grasp: Customer needs are like shifting sands, and understanding emerging trends and problems is key to hitting the target, says Ann. 

    πŸ“ˆ Why mergers and acquisitions aren't just Wall Street buzzwords: M&A is woven into Evoqua's strategy as a critical channel for forging significant partnerships, according to both interviewees.Β 

    🌍 How Evoqua's footprint is more global than you think: Contrary to popular belief, Ann implies Evoqua's global presence is often underestimated. 

    πŸ” Why profitability is not an end but a means for Evoqua, enabling them to engage in ambitious, industry-shaping initiatives.Β 

    πŸ’‘ How innovation is the new black: Ann emphasizes that sustainability isn't a sideshow; it's the main act, embedded at the core of impactful innovations.Β 

    🎯 Why "de-risking" is your new buzzword: Both speakers agree that helping companies "de-risk" by doing the heavy lifting on feasibility and validation can fast-track adoption. 

    πŸ€” What failing fast really means at Evoqua: If you're not failing, you're not learningβ€”this mantra isn't just for startups; it's infiltrating the big players too.Β 

    πŸ“Š How the Product Vitality Index is your new KPI: Forget conventional metrics; Ann suggests that measuring where your revenue comes from in terms of innovation investment is where the future lies.Β 

    🎯 How customer insights aren't a one-and-done deal: Diving deep to truly understand customer problems can reveal the nuanced layers beneath. 

    🌍 Why location flexibility enriches talent pools: restricting staff to physical locations is yesterday's news, says Perreault, when a world of talent is just a Zoom call away. 

    πŸ“ˆ What scaling your operation really takes: The journey of scaling a function often throws more curveballs than you initially thought.Β 

    🌿 Why sustainability is more than a buzzword: it's about achieving homeostasis with your environment for the long haul, not just slapping a green label on things.


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    πŸ”— Have a look at Evoqua's websiteΒ 

    πŸ”— Come say hi to Ann on LinkedinΒ 

    πŸ”— Then make sure to also connect with Joshua on Linkedin

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how Evoqua applies Open Innovation 

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.show 

    [Extract] "Ask Twice. And then, ask again! " - Ann Perreault - Joshua Griffis - Evoqua Water Technologies

    [Extract] "Ask Twice. And then, ask again! " - Ann Perreault - Joshua Griffis - Evoqua Water Technologies

    Open Innovation is not the only link between last week's conversation with Max Storto from the Xylem Innovation Labs, and this week's deep dive with Ann and Joshua. Indeed, in just a minute, we'll delve into a paradigm-shifting model we touched on last week: Open Innovation.Β 


    To ensure we have a common understanding of the term, Open Innovation fundamentally alters how companies think about their innovation process. If you remember my conversation with Glenn Vicevic from Veolia, he defined Open Innovation as Innovation that's not closed. We had a good laugh, still, it's true: the Idea is to break open the former R&D silos, to enter the age of porous boundaries and shading frontiers, where external ideas and technologies flow into the organization, and internal ideas flow out into the broader ecosystem.


    Long before this got to be a thing in the Water Sector, we've seen companies like Procter & Gamble, flipping their R&D approach to connect with external innovators. They sourced ideas from around the globe, leading to breakthroughs like the Swiffer.Β 


    To take a more techie reference, consider how Apple's App Store empowers an army of developers to build upon iOS, creating value for both Apple and the broader user community. It's a win-win scenario, optimizing resources, and accelerating market-ready solutions.


    But why is this a pivotal discussion for the water sector? Open Innovation could be the key to unlocking new technologies, sustainable practices, and financial models that address pressing water issues - you know, the ones that just got evaluated as a multi-trillion dollars business opportunity by CDP - if you missed that one, go check my YouTube channel for more.Β 


    But for you listening to this, why does all of that matter: well, companies that successfully adopt Open Innovation practices could leapfrog in growth and impact. They could be faster to ride trend waves, have a more efficient use of their capital, put technology adoption on steroids, and if you're a regular of this podcast, you know how that's the game changer.


    Hence if, for sure, everything can't be painted in pink, and silver bullets still don't exist, getting a glimpse of the way Evoqua leveraged open innovation strategies to inspire your own innovation approaches is quite a generous gift from Ann and Joshua, which really didn't hold back when it comes to sharing.Β 


    You'll leave this episode understanding the vital metrics and benchmarks to assess Open Innovation opportunities, as well as actionable tips for investors, in-house strategists, and entrepreneurs keen to leverage this model before it becomes an industry norm.


    Remember, if you appreciate the value shared today and for free, you can help me out tremendously by sharing this episode with a friend, a colleague, your boss, or your team, if you're new here make sure to subscribe, I insist, it's entirely free, and it helps me to keep getting incredible guests on that microphone. Last word before we take off, if you're in New York on the 19th of September and you like free sharing of incredible water value, you may want to join the Rethinking Water Conference at the Forum at Columbia University, the link is in the description, and I'll be there the entire day to record some more interviews. Come share a recycled wastewater beer with me in the evening, and I'll meet you on the other side!


    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how Evoqua deployed Open Innovation to turn the tides!

    S10E4 - Why would Xylem grow 10 Wonder Kids from 5 to 50 Clients?

    S10E4 - Why would Xylem grow 10 Wonder Kids from 5 to 50 Clients?

    with πŸŽ™οΈ xStorto - Lead Innovation Analyst at Xylem Innovation LabsΒ 

    πŸ’§ Xylem is one of the largest water and wastewater technology companies globally and follows the simple motto: "Let's solve water"


    What we covered:


    🀝 How the Xylem Innovation Labs explore partnerships with early-stage technology providers to enhance offerings and improve portfolio stacks 

    πŸš€ What the main tracks within Xylem Innovation Lab entail, from the commercial accelerator focusing on client growth to the early-stage incubation program and open innovation ecosystem targeting specific water-related issues.Β 

    ⚽ How Max likens his role in scouting potential technology providers to a talent scout in sports, seeking the most promising innovations that align with Xylem's capabilities and customer challenges. 

    🌍 What main challenges Xylem's customers face, such as decarbonizing the water sector, industrial treatment solutions, decentralized treatment, and addressing contaminants of emerging concern like PFAS and microplastics. 

    🌊 Why Xylem is looking into areas like digital workforce solutions and flooding issues, aiming to find innovative ways to address these significant concerns in the water management industry. 

    πŸŽ™οΈ How Max Storto's dynamic and multifaceted role at Xylem brings both planned goals and unexpected chaos into his daily life.Β 

    πŸ—³οΈ Why political work with the Iowa Democratic Party led Max to engage in grassroots conversations, touching on critical water issues in both local and federal contexts.Β 

    🚰 How the state of water networks in the U.S., including boiling water notices, reflects challenges in infrastructure investment, public awareness, and income inequality. 

    πŸ“Š How Xylem Innovation Labs aggregates customer-facing team information, interprets data, and involves business units to prioritize decisions, fostering a united approach.Β 

    πŸš€ What makes Xylem's accelerator program unique: sourcing from grants, accelerators, internal recommendations, VCs, and conferences and inviting companies to apply, ensuring a focused approach to innovation.Β 

    🀝 Why Xylem's relationship-building with startups is key: no equity taken, a mutual NDA, building trust, and aiming for long-term commercial agreements to foster a truly collaborative partnership. 

    πŸš€ What distinguishes Xylem's process of carefully select from 3 to 400 invitations, leading to 40-50 applications for a handpicked 10-count accelerator cohort, ensuring alignment with innovation priorities.Β 

    🧠 How Max's role as a market analyst at Xylem intertwines with engineering teams, aiding in financial analysis and business case development for revenue projections. 

    🌍 What the Xylem Innovation Labs' role in global R&D is, including their part of the R&D package, and how they complement the company's existing product development efforts. 

    🌱 How innovation with impact at Xylem is characterized by a focus on sustainability metrics and diversity and their efforts in alleviating water challenges and reducing carbon footprints. 

    πŸ‘” Oxford Collar, Decentralized Work Environment, fostering long-term growth, mutual trust and partnership, commercialization over investment, selling solutions vs taking equity... and much more!Β 


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    πŸ”— Come say hi to Max on LinkedIn Β 

    πŸ”— Check Xylem Innovation Website's websiteΒ 

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on Xylem's weirdest move 

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.show 


    Suggested episodes:

    πŸš€ My interview with Sivan ZamirΒ 

    πŸ”‹ My conversation with Austin AlexanderΒ 

    πŸ‘” My short catch up with Patrick DeckerΒ 

    [Extract] "I was very nervous but... they can all just be water nerds together!" - Max Storto - Xylem Innovation Labs

    [Extract] "I was very nervous but... they can all just be water nerds together!" - Max Storto - Xylem Innovation Labs

    Max Storto is Lead Innovation Analyst at the Xylem Innovation Labs. Xylem is one of the largest water and wastewater technology company globally and follows the simple motto: "Let's solve water"


    A bit more than one year ago, I invited Sivan Zamir on this microphone to discuss the Xylem Innovation Labs, Xylem's shiny, fascinating, and intriguing move into the start-up accelerator world. That has been a well-received episode but also one that sparked quite a lot of conversations.Β 


    You know, Xylem is a listed behemoth; everybody is well aware that they have to make money! So when they mention that they will help water industry companies to 10x their customer base, that they will fund pilots with the Trial Reservoir and fund other water accelerators with, for instance, Imagine H2O, it not only raises an eyebrow but also generates a ton of questions. And usually a very logical deduction: of course, they will have a great positive impact on these companies' path, but they will also reward themselves by taking stakes and equity in these companies, hence turning a pretty straightforward positive return on investment.Β 


    Now that's where it gets even more intriguing, because, in my process of getting a better understanding of the mechanics of the Xylem Innovation Labs with its scout, Max, I actually uncovered something we had not discussed at all with Sivan last year: Xylem doesn't take any equity in its incubated partners. Zero.


    And it doesn't stop there: they don't even expect these companies to be exclusive or tied to Xylem in anything beyond a simple NDA - which is merely more there to protect the start-ups than the water giant.Β 


    So, for a layman like me, it's hard to get the strategic sense of that move. Until you shift your internal software and realize that what Xylem is pursuing with its Innovation Labs is not investment, it's R&D. And a bit like in a Google versus Apple approach you would see in tech, their bet here is that adopting an open innovation strategy, is actually the most impactful and the best use of their money for the water ecosystem, yes, because I believe Patrick Decker when he tells me he wants his company to have a positive impact, but also the best path to growth for Xylem itself!


    And a bit like the App or Play Stores have been great growth factors for Apple and Google, Xylem's future partnerships with the companies it strategically groomed may be significant commercial assets in a world of water challenges that are not getting easier or simpler.


    You'll see that this is just one of the many gems we uncovered while opening the hood and exploring the Xylem Innovation Labs engine with Max, Max who, by the way, has been an incredible sparring partner able to cope with great openness with my sometimes annoying wittiness, I had great fun to record this one, so I'll stop ranting and let you have great fun listening to it.Β 


    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how to grow 10 wonder kids from 5 to 50 customers

    S10E3 - Will AI Prompt Us To Build A Sustainable Future?

    S10E3 - Will AI Prompt Us To Build A Sustainable Future?

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Alice Schmidt, MBA lecturer, Adviser to the European Commission, and non-profit organizations like Extinction Rebellion, Protect our Winters, and Chair of the Board of Endeva e.V.Β 

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Claudia Winkler, CEO, and co-founder of Goood Mobile, Europe's first B-Corp Certified telecom provider, and a Founding Partner of Adjacent Possible Network.Β 

    πŸ’§ Alice and Claudia had been with us for their first book "the Sustainability Puzzle," and are back for an in-depth exploration of the AI world and its potential impact on Societal Progress and a Sustainable Future. This is the topic of their second book: Fast Forward, written with Florian SchΓΌtz and Jeroen Dobbelaere.


    What we covered:


    πŸ“š How Alice and Claudia's "Sustainability Puzzle" hit the zeitgeist by guiding both sustainability newbies and experts through the multifaceted realm of eco-responsibility.

    πŸ”¬ Why their new book, "Fast Forward," hones in on technology, one of the six puzzle pieces from their first book, to spotlight its transformative potential for sustainability.

    πŸ€– What Claudia sees as the agnostic nature of technology and why Alice casts a skeptical eye on the good intentions behind big tech,Β 

    🎯 How both authors urge active participation in shaping AI's direction, suggesting that collective input could steer technology towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

    πŸ€– How Alice and Claudia disagree on the role of tools like ChatGPT, revealing a tension between AI as a utilitarian augmenter versus a potential risk to trust.Β 

    🌐 Why both emphasize AI literacy, advocating for the masses to engage with tools like ChatGPT in order to make well-informed decisions.  

    πŸš€ Why ChatGPT's viral success is likened to the smartphone revolution, ushering in mass-market adoption of AI technologies and sparking important societal debates.

    πŸŽ“ How Schools Aren't Necessarily the AI Saviors and What Lifelong Learning Means in the AI Age

    🚨 How AI Could Be Its Own Worst Enemy and Why Big Tech Needs a Leash: 

    πŸ€– How AI's Multifaceted Analysis Outsmarts Human Limitations

    πŸ’Ό Why Regulations Don't Suffocate Innovation, They Guide It.

    πŸ€‘ How Money Talks, Even for AI

    🌱 Optimism in the AI-Ecology Nexus

    πŸ€– How AI is personalizing Claudia's life and revolutionizing smart cities, making them more livable and sustainable.Β 

    🌊 What Tuvalu's digital twin reveals: a poignant, almost meta response to climate-induced existential threats that also sheds light on the term "ecological racism." 

    🎯 Why stepping into the AI world varies by individual: It's all about awareness, understanding the bigger picture, and leveraging a human-centered approach for universal benefit. 

    πŸ—³οΈ How the democratization of AI and active participation in decision-making could be a marker for Alice Schmidt's vision of positive societal impact.

    πŸ€– Why Technology is Finally Joining the Sustainability Conversation: Claudia is optimistic about the growing convergence between sustainability and technology agendas, indicating a maturing landscape.

    πŸ“– Claudia's 14-year-old son's ChatGPT book, Parents being the Unsung Heroes in AI Education, Neom as a double-sided sword, Betting big on Circularity, Playing the Long Game with Conferences... and much more!


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    ➑️ Send your warm regards to Alice on LinkedIn 

    ➑️ Then do the same with Claudia on LinkedIn as well 

    ➑️ Get to know the two new brains that worked on "Fast Forward:" Jeroen and Florian

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on AI prompting a Sustainable Future   

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.show 

    [Extract] The 21 AI Tools I use to Produce this Podcast!

    [Extract] The 21 AI Tools I use to Produce this Podcast!

    Here's the secret: I'm not a one-man band. Yes, I lied all that time. Did you really believe I could push a podcast interview out every week for 163 weeks in a row, all by myself? Of course not. The Don't Waste Water Corporation is a hefty team of 22. But here's the catch: I'm the only human. Let me introduce you to my crew.


    First, there's my editing manager, a robot called Descript. In his AI team, we've got the Scribe, which turns all my recordings into text. Pretty standard so far, but it becomes swiftly cooler with the Grammar Maniac. If I record this: "So, what's the uh, name of your book?" The Maniac identifies the filler words and gets them out of the way.Β 


    In that same team, the Chopper chops out every word, and so if I were to say something as stupid as: Colmar is not the nicest place on earth, I just have to select the wrong word as you'd do in your text editor, and delete it. Job done!


    The work is then handed over to the Audio Engineer. Because sometimes a guest or me, may record on a poor microphone or noisy environment. And you certainly don't want to hear what a poor microphone or noisy environment sounds like. In more difficult cases I escalate it to Adobe Enhance Beta. And in last resort to iZotope's Neutron or Ozone Smart Assistants.Β 


    Back to Descript: the Audio Engineer has a quite dangerous colleague I very seldom use, but if needs be, I can emulate any voices and have them say whatever I want. For instance, here are two sentences from Alice. Can you find out which one really belongs to today's interview?Β 


    Now, this is for sure an audio podcast, but also a YouTube video. And would you like to watch me speaking if I avoided any eye contact with you? Well, if that was ever to happen, I'd be just one click away from having the rectifier bring back my eyes where they should be. Yes, that one is a bit scary.Β 


    What if I lean back a bit too much in my chair and go out of focus? Topaz AI brings me back to sharpness.Β 


    And what if I stumble? No wait. And what if I stumble? Not the right dynamic. And what if I stumble? Gling automatically picks my best take!


    Then, if I want to lure you into listening to a great interview, I can say it. But if I say it with subtitles, statistics say you're more likely to follow my advice. That's Captionator's job.Β 


    And while I record horizontally, getting the word out is more efficient in Vertical mode - but nothing to worry Final Cut's AI always prompts my best profile. And if I don't have time to edit the best quotes myself, OpusClip does it for me!


    A cool episode needs a cool title: My ideas are not always top-notch thankfully, Coschedule loves to rate them and propose improvements. While YouTube requires me to provide at least a decent thumbnail to distribute my content, I often have a hard time finding a relevant picture or illustration to promote a water or lithium topic. In these cases, I ask MidJourney for a solid basis and Photoshop Beta for added context.Β 


    Finally, while TrueSync, ColorLab AI, Insta 360 Studio, Leia Pix AI, and many I'm probably forgetting here have been sporadic members of the team but didn't stick in the long run, I've recently hired ChatGPT to compile the key episode highlights you'll find in the show notes and on the Don't Waste Water website.Β 


    Last but not least, all my English copy is written in Grammarly, which detects that "English" should take a capital letter. Yes, I know, you don't hear my grammar mistakes, so why bother? Well, my prospective guests have to read my emails first, and you only have one chance to make a good first impression.


    Why do I tell you all of that? First don't worry, if you were to use any of these tools, I wouldn't get a cent. This wasn't an ad with extra steps. No, I'm telling you that to highlight one of the ideas Claudia and Alice develop in their new book: AI may be neither a threat nor a waste, but used right, a way to enhance humans.Β 

    [Replay] Is Hydrogen more of a Water Sector Miracle or a World's Decarbonization Problem?

    [Replay] Is Hydrogen more of a Water Sector Miracle or a World's Decarbonization Problem?

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Paul Martin, Chemical process development expert & founder of Spitfire Research.Β Β 

    πŸ’§ Spitfire research is a Process development consulting company for a decarbonized future, where Paul acts as an antidote to marketing hopium and a tireless advocate for a fossil-fuel-free future.


    This episode is a section of my Hydrogen Deep DiveΒ 


    What we covered:Β 


    πŸ§ͺ How the thermodynamics and fundamental properties of the Hydrogen molecule turn it into a false hope of decarbonization strategies

    🌑️ How given the way it's produced, hydrogen actually is a decarbonization problem 

    πŸͺΆ How Goethe is right: hope's preferable to despair unless hope needs the laws of physics to stop applyingΒ 

    ⚑ How the biggest problem with green hydrogen production is not its water impact but its energy consumption 

    🏭 How hydrogen barely moves today, and what that reveals about the difficulty of using it as a transportation fuel 

    πŸ˜’ How producing small amounts of hydrogen from wastewater treatment plants is fully doable, yet barely desirableΒ 

    🦘 How optimizing the production of green hydrogen requires very specific geographic properties, and where that applies

    🌬️ How the World barely features half the renewable production capacity needed if we wanted to just switch from gray to green hydrogen

    πŸ‘ƒ How the Hydrogen economy may well be the false nose of Fossil Fuel Companies to keep striving in a decarbonized worldΒ 

    πŸ“ˆ How Turquoise hydrogen production makes a lot of sense, already today, but has a limited market potential for its byproducts.Β 

    πŸ§‘β€πŸ”¬ How turning Biogas into Hydrogen sounds like a very weird thing to do.Β 

    πŸ”¬ How electrolysis processes don't really allow to valorize the oxygen byproduct today, and why.Β 

    🚚 How Hydrogen is an amazing good and tool, just not to be wasted as a fuel 

    🌍 How the European Union and the UK daydream about Hydrogen, and how it may be a last resort solution for Japan and South Korea

    πŸ”‹ How batteries are not perfect but have a clear path to scaleΒ 

    🏚️ How to be serious and earnest about decarbonization, states shall start with relevant policies

    🍏 How we shall start with the low hanging fruit when putting hydrogen and decarbonization in the same equation

    🦌 Canada tackling carbon taxes, CO2 prices as business enablers, Hydrogen promoters being useful idiots, Hydrogen as a sunk cost fallacy, Hopium... and more!

    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯Β 


    ➑️ Get the Full Story (including an infographic and full transcript)       

    ➑️ Read Paul's best hydrogen articles 

    ➑️ Contact BlueTech Research: info@bluetechresearch.com

    S10E2 - The Bill Gates Jewel that Pivoted from Water to Chemical Free Lithium Refining

    S10E2 - The Bill Gates Jewel that Pivoted from Water to Chemical Free Lithium Refining

    with πŸŽ™οΈ Saad Dara - CEO and Founder of Mangrove LithiumΒ 

    πŸ’§ Mangrove Lithium produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate from a wide array of raw sources


    What we covered:


    πŸ”„ How Mangrove Lithium, initially focusing on water treatment and desalination, found the ideal product-market fit within the lithium industry.Β 

    ♻️ How the circularity of chemicals, environmental benefits, and potential for zero-emission processes play a crucial role in Mangrove's approach to lithium conversion.Β 

    πŸŒ€ How Saad Dara spun the company out in 2017, completing his PhD in 2020, and is on the path to commercialization, aiming to co-locate and operate systems with lithium production companies.Β 

    πŸš€ How the simplicity and flexibility of their operations sets them apart, with the ability to change feedstock and product quickly, offering more choices in a volatile lithium market.Β 

    πŸ› οΈ How their secret sauce lies not in membranes but in the cathode, providing unique value in energy consumption and purity, a major differentiator in the industry.Β 

    πŸ”„ Why their approach appeals to both small and large producers, offering a standardized, modular system that fits various scales, potentially serving as a cooperative refining platform.Β 

    🌏 What makes them stand out in the global market is the possibility of bringing lithium refining to regions like North America and Europe, potentially altering the current China-dominated landscape. 

    πŸ”‹ How their technology could redefine the lithium market by being a perfect fit for cooperative refining, an innovative model that could support smaller players as they grow.Β 

    πŸ“ How modularity in plant design allows flexibility, optimizing both CAPEX and OPEX, from 3000 to 15,000 tons per year, and the thoughtful combination of modules based on needs.Β 

    🀝 Why taking a holistic and consultative approach to the supply chain, working side by side with partners, leads to a more successful and optimized process. 

    πŸŒ‹ What differentiates the company's electrochemical approach from other market players like Vulcan, and why their system is simpler and safer to operate.Β 

    πŸ“ˆ How focusing on demonstrating a 3000 tons per year system can remove market skepticism, and why operating at a commercially relevant scale and time period is crucial.Β 

    πŸ’‘ Why strong backing by BMW iVentures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures highlights confidence and credibility in the company's innovative approach - and how Bill Gates is cool (ok, I'm the one adding this)Β 

    πŸ€– What makes Mangrove’s β€œboxes” unique and how they are working to prove their efficiency and effectiveness in real-world applications.Β 

    🎀 How the conversation unveils the company's vision, backing, synergies, and future plans, providing a multi-dimensional insight into the world of lithium processing and innovation. 

    🏒 How Lithium Valley emerged I coin a term for Vancouver's status as the lithium company capital, with a mystery Saad chalks up to community development. 

    🀝 What makes competitors collaborators: Saad discusses the complementary fit between Saltworks and Mangrove Lithium, shedding a competitive light on the cooperative spirit of the industry. 

    πŸ“ˆ How to get started with Mangrove Lithium

    🎀 What makes the flexible model appealing: Saad explains Mangrove's customizable models for providing technology or production services, reflecting the company's adaptability in the growing lithium industry. 

    ♻️ Why all lithium sources are vital


    πŸ”₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the 𝙧𝙖π™₯π™žπ™™ π™›π™žπ™§π™š 𝙦π™ͺπ™šπ™¨π™©π™žπ™€π™£π™¨ πŸ”₯


    πŸ”— Come say hi to Saad on LinkedInΒ 

    πŸ”— Check Mangrove Lithium's website

    ➑️ Check out the entire article on how Mangrove Lithium is a Jewel in Bill Gates' crown  

    ➑️ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.showΒ