Exclusive Interview by Graeme Pearce with Preetha Nair, Nanostone’s Managing Director South East Asia & The Middle East

Graeme Pearce (Membrane Consultancy Associates) recently interviewed Juergen von Hollen , CEO of Nanostone. Following this, Graeme engaged in a conversation with Preetha Nair, Nanostone’s Managing Director South East Asia & The Middle East, about how advanced ceramic ultrafiltration membranes address emerging critical water challenges in the region. Here is a transcript of their discussion:

Graeme: Nice to meet you, Preetha. Your LinkedIn profile shows a career focused on strategic leadership and international business development in technical and regulated industries. Since joining Nanostone in 2020 as Nanostone’s Managing Director South East Asia & The Middle East, how do you view the water treatment sector and Nanostone’s role in it?

Preetha: It’s a pleasure to be here. I thrive in navigating complex market environments, so I feel right at home in the South East Asia & The Middle East water sector. We’re facing rapid deterioration in water quality and availability, alongside skyrocketing demand. We need faster-evolving regulations and funding to accelerate the deployment of innovations like Nanostone’s advanced ceramic ultrafiltration membranes, among others, each critical for addressing these complexities. Our goal is to collaborate with water companies, engineering firms and regulatory bodies to significantly impact water quality, availability, and sustainability in the region. I like to think that building these synergies is one of my key contributions to this industry.

Graeme: We’re noticing an increase in Nanostone visibility lately. Can you share what you and your team are up to?

Preetha: Our success stems from a clear understanding of our strengths and knowing where to play and where not to. It’s important to be honest about what we excel at and where we can make the most impact. At Nanostone, we focus on deploying our advanced ceramic ultrafiltration membranes in areas where they can address the most pressing and variable water challenges, especially where there is limited space for expansion.

We prioritize industrial and municipal projects that highlight these unique advantages of our technology. By concentrating on these strengths and forming strategic partnerships with water companies, regulators, and engineering firms, we ensure our efforts are targeted and effective. And yes, it is rewarding for the team to see that it draws very positive attention to Nanostone.

Graeme: How would you describe the unique benefits Nanostone offers to its customers?

Preetha: It’s challenging to capture these benefits in just a sentence or two because that would sound generic and could be claimed by anyone. So, let me break it down into a few key points—I’ll try to keep it brief, I promise.

First off, our ceramic ultrafiltration membranes deliver exceptional water quality and system performance. They consistently achieve silt density index levels below 3 and turbidity readings below 0.1 NTU across various applications. This means significantly better water quality, which ensures reliable operation of downstream processes like reverse osmosis systems.

Another major benefit our clients see is increased recovery rates, typically ranging from 95% to 98%. This efficiency comes from our advanced filtration and reduced backwash water generation, which overall enhances water recovery and operational efficiency.

Cost savings and operational efficiency are also big advantages. Our clients save money due to decreased chemical usage, lower maintenance needs, and improved system reliability. In some cases, we’ve seen up to 70% savings on chemical cleaning costs and significant reductions in discharge fees.

Space and footprint efficiency are essential, especially in urban and industrial settings where space is limited. Our compact membrane systems can replace multiple pre-treatment steps, allowing facilities to enhance capacity without needing extensive infrastructure changes.

Lastly, the reliability and longevity of our ceramic membranes are significant. They are robust and durable, which translates to measurably longer membrane life and fewer operational disruptions. This reliability is critical in handling challenging water conditions with high turbidity or variable water quality.

By focusing on these key benefit areas, we ensure that our clients receive comprehensive, effective, and sustainable water treatment solutions in some of the most challenging water and space constrained situations.

Graeme: It sounds like there is lots to explore at SIWW24 for visitors at your booth. So, what are your expectations for SIWW 2024? When will it be a success for you and your team?

Preetha: We have high expectations for SIWW 2024, and success for us hinges on a few key factors. First and foremost, we aim to engage in meaningful conversations with industry leaders, policymakers, and potential partners. Our goal is to highlight how Nanostone’s innovative solutions can address pressing water challenges in the South East Asia & The Middle East region and beyond.

From a business perspective, we hope to establish new partnerships and strengthen existing ones. Building these relationships is essential for us to roll out our solutions more effectively and efficiently.

Finally, we want to leave SIWW 2024 with an even clearer understanding of the market needs and a stronger network committed to improving water quality, availability, and sustainability.

Graeme: How can interested parties schedule a meeting with you at SIWW 2024?

Preetha: We are eager to connect with visitors at SIWW 2024. To ensure we have dedicated time to discuss your specific needs, it’s best to schedule a brief meeting in advance by reaching out to us through email: info@nanostone.com. My team and I will be available at our booth throughout the event, so if you prefer a spontaneous chat with us, we hope to see you there!