How would you describe the current state of the water sector in the Middle East, and what role does ELGA Veolia play in addressing the region’s unique challenges, particularly in terms of providing sustainable water solutions for laboratories and industries?
GHASSAN LEGRAND: The water sector is growing substantially in the Middle East in all sectors and in all markets for two main reasons: A dynamic Economical Outlook and People and Legislators being cautious that water is a precious resource. Particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a renewed focus on research and the clinical sector in the region, ELGA has been instrumental in enhancing the accuracy and precision of test results for clinical and analytical research.
What do you see as the most pressing challenges currently facing the water sector in the Middle East, particularly in relation to water scarcity? Are the existing interventions and strategies sufficient to address these issues, or do you believe more innovative solutions are needed to secure the region’s water future?
GHASSAN LEGRAND: The great challenges faced today are mainly due to the higher scarcity of feedwater from Natural Resources. This is directly affecting the scarcity of water for people but also for the growing industrial sector. Another significant challenge stems from the unstable feedwater quality, particularly in remote areas, which puts the clinical and analytical output particularly at risk. Therefore, it is mandatory to use a robust sustainable water purification system such as the ELGA range to secure the test results and the process.
Can you elaborate on the features and benefits of the PURELAB Flex system that make it a standout solution for laboratory water needs?
DAVID GRANT: The PURELAB flex was released 15 years ago and has been a worldwide success by delivering ultrapure water in a small, compact unit. This new generation offers the same level of quality while being more sustainable and cost-effective, ensuring our users can rely on PURELAB flex for their research as they move towards a more sustainable future with less energy consumption and water waste.
How does the PURELAB Flex address the diverse requirements of different sectors, such as R&D, healthcare, and clinical laboratories?
DAVID GRANT: The PURELAB flex is a versatile water system designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries. Whether you’re in R&D, QC, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, or academia, the PURELAB flex stands as the ideal solution for all your water requirements. Its adaptability makes it the perfect partner for ensuring consistent, high-quality water across a wide range of applications.
What specific innovations in sustainability does the PURELAB Flex incorporate, and how do these align with Veolia’s broader sustainability goals?
DAVID GRANT: The PURELAB flex is designed to meet the requirements of the user while also being more sustainable than ever. We have introduced a new RO module that has increased production rates in the same form factor. Generating the same amount of water in half the time, allowing the flex to reduce water waste by 20% and up to a 55% reduction in energy consumption on flex systems such as the flex 3+.
As in Veolia we want to deliver on both performance and sustainability without compromise, we also designed this new RO to be retrofittable to ensure our current installation base can get the improved operational efficiency and reduction in waste while not compromising workflow or quality.
How does Veolia ensure the quality and reliability of the ultrapure water produced by the PURELAB Flex?
DAVID GRANT: The PURELAB flex, with its 15-year market presence, has established itself as a proven and reliable water purification system producing the best water quality for our customers. Building upon this solid foundation, the new PURELAB flex introduces innovative enhancements that elevate both quality and sustainability.
We understand the value of our current install base, which is why we’ve designed our new components to be compatible with previous generations.
This forward-thinking approach allows existing PURELAB flex owners to retrofit their systems with our more efficient and optimized parts. By doing so, we ensure that all PURELAB flex systems, regardless of age, continue to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for years to come.
How does the PURELAB Flex compare to previous models or competing products in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness?
DAVID GRANT: Efficiency has been the driving force behind our latest innovations in the PURELAB flex. In response to our customers’ growing concerns about waste reduction and operational efficiency, we’ve made significant strides in optimizing our system’s performance.
We’re proud to announce that the new PURELAB flex achieves remarkable improvements:
– Up to 55% reduction in energy consumption
– 20% decrease in water waste
These advancements not only address environmental concerns but also translate into substantial cost savings for our users.
We have enhanced the cost-effectiveness of the PURELAB flex while maintaining the compact design of its predecessors, ensuring seamless integration into existing laboratory spaces. Users will benefit from additional savings through reduced energy and water consumption, further lowering the total cost of ownership.
Can you share any case studies or success stories where the PURELAB Flex has meaningfully improved laboratory operations?
DAVID GRANT: We have plenty of case studies one of my personal favorite is from the University of Venice, who are involved in the Italian National Antarctic Research Program that have been analyzing ice, snow, sediment, atmospheric and oceanic samples from Antarctica for over 30 years to study the concentrations and distribution of chemicals in the region, identifying natural background levels and investigating changes over time.
These measurements are often made at ultra-trace levels, requiring the most sensitive analytical techniques and the purest water for sample preparation and analysis. Ultrapure water provided by the PURELAB flex 3 has played a key role in this work.
What role does customer feedback play in the development and enhancement of ELGA’s products, including the PURELAB Flex?
DAVID GRANT: As the Product Manager for ELGA Labwater, my role is pivotal in bridging market needs with product innovation. I’m here at ArabLab with a dual purpose: to discuss sustainability in water and to gather valuable insights from you, our customers and industry partners. Your feedback is crucial in shaping our product development strategy. By understanding your experiences, challenges, and aspirations, I can return to the UK with the information I gather here, that will directly influence our future product lines. This collaborative approach ensures that our innovations are not just technologically advanced, but also perfectly aligned with the real needs of our customers. Your input helps drive the next generation of sustainable water systems.
What measures are in place to support customers post-purchase, especially in terms of servicing and maintenance of the PURELAB Flex?
GHASSAN LEGRAND: ELGA’s philosophy, “We worry about the water, so you don’t have to” underscores our comprehensive post-purchase support approach. Our dedicated service team proactively manages tailored service contracts and preventive maintenance schedules, by replacing consumables, ensuring optimal system performance and avoiding any interruption in the lab process. Comprehensive training programs empower lab personnel with operational knowledge and basic troubleshooting skills. This multi-faceted approach to customer care allows scientists to focus on their work, confident in the reliability of their water purification systems and the integrity of their lab processes. Ultimately, this meticulous attention to water quality and system performance significantly enhances the accuracy and precision of research and test results.
What challenges does Veolia Water Technologies face in promoting sustainable water solutions in the Middle East market?
GHASSAN LEGRAND: The main challenge is to convince customers that investing today in a sustainable solution will help them to secure the future. Solutions and Technologies exist and most of the time it’s only a decision-making process that is delaying the implementation. The future belongs to those who dare to take a quicker step.
What future trends in laboratory water purification does Veolia anticipate, and how is the company preparing to address them?
GHASSAN LEGRAND: The future and global trend is the “Green Lab” to enhance lab sustainability, Veolia has developed an optimal solution, known as MEDICA BIOX, to discharge and neutralize bio-hazardous effluents at the downstream lab scale. This solution has been successfully implemented throughout the region.
Our Digital HUBGRADE solution will be further implemented helping both the customer and Veolia to have 24/7 online remote monitoring to achieve service excellence and minimize any downturns.
What are the key takeaways you hope attendees will gain from your presentation at ARABLAB under the topic “Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainability in Water: An Innovative Approach”?
DAVID GRANT: The presentation’s primary focus was to highlight areas of water production that are inefficient and wasteful, while showcasing how ELGA Labwater, as water specialists, are addressing sustainability challenges within our industry. The discussion emphasized innovative solutions and best practices for reducing water waste and promoting environmental responsibility in laboratory water production.
