Vienna know-how conquers the world: clean water through smart technology
Measuring water pollutants with the aid of light? Not only that, but in real time too? A resounding "yes!" will be the answer from anyone familiar with the Viennese company s::can Messtechnik. The company has developed probes that operate according to spectrometric principles.
This extraordinary method of measuring involves transmitting a beam of light through a liquid and measuring it after it has made its way through the liquid. The amount of light that is absorbed gives an indication of the type and concentration of the substances contained within the liquid. Water quality can thus be monitored in real time and without the use of reagents. The technology devised by s::can thus enables technicians to closely observe a large area - such as a body of water - and to react to any pollution risk by immediately implementing measures to prevent damage to the environment.
These spectrometric probes have already earned s::can a place among the world's global market leaders. Over 7,000 have been installed and are used successfully in numerous water utility works, sewage plants and environmental monitoring facilities in over 35 countries. Andreas Weingartner, s::can's CEO, stated that,"Our goal at s::can is to comprehensively monitor and secure water quality. The funding provided by the Vienna Business Agency under the name 'Spectrometry for the people' has brought s::can a significant step closer to this goal."
Large-scale projects currently being implemented demonstrate just how much closer. One of these has taken the company all the way to India. Within the framework of a project that started in 2012, s::can works on monitoring all of India's large river drainage areas, especially the Ganges drainage basin. This World Bank project aims to secure access to clean drinking water for 500 million people. The second stage of this project, installing and Monitoring of 36 measuring stations, is currently on the way.
Services/grants provided by the Vienna Business Agency:
- Funding within the programme Innovation 2013
- Funding within the programme Web x.o, Web12
- Funding within the programmes Internationalisation, # Export 2009
- Funding within the programmes Research 2008, Environment 2008
- Funding within the programme Export 2005
- Funding within the programme Innova 1993/2001 (3x)
- Consulting Technology Services
- Consulting Business Support
Company contact:
scan Messtechnik GmbH
Brigittagasse 22-24
1200 Vienna
As of December 2016