ART CARBON was founded in October 2017. The company was searching for industrial applications of carbon nanotubes and for almost two years they were developing carbon nanotube-containing additive for concrete mixtures with the aim of reinforcing concrete and prolonging its service time by making it´s microstructure denser and crack-free.
However, during the work on this project ART CARBON has identified interesting behavior of CNTs in water and decided to shift the focus towards development of first carbon nanotube-based commercially available technology for water purification.
Today, they have succeeded in that attempt and the technology is called ART CARBON Process. Core of the technology is novel, patented adsorbent ART CARBON containing immobilized carbon nanotubes.
Interview with Dipl. Ing. Daniel Bouša, Ph.D., CEO and R&D Department at ART CARBON s.r.o.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Daniel Bouša: Our main area is water purification, especially from dissolved organic pollutants like the modern micropollutants (pesticides, drug residues, hormones etc.). We are using our technology in drinking water treatment plants but also for example for recycling of backwash water from sand filters in swimming pools. We have also developed the under-sink filter for domestic water purification. In future, we are aiming for utilization of technology for treating municipal waste waters to use them for technical applications. I would like to mention, that our adsorbent is general carbon-based adsorbent capable of capturing wide variety of pollutants similarly, to activated carbon, and we are still searching for new application of our technology.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
D.B: We have succeeded to develop new generation water filter for under sink solutions that is due to its fast adsorption kinetics really working comparing to activated carbon. Please visit our website for video comparing adsorption kinetic of ART CARBON adsorbent to granulated activated carbon.
Our second main product is technology ART CARBON Process for recycling back wash water from sand filter in swimming pools. Our technology, in comparison with other possibilities on market, has lower initial investment needs, is capable to recycle up 88% of back wash water back to swimming pool, has low operational costs and it is safe.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
D.B: Markets related to water treatment are always looking for the innovations as the water scarcity is acknowledged already globally. So, the market is still growing and with upcoming global warming will grow even faster. Water is one of the most important raw materials in 21st century.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
D.B: Water treatment market shows growing demand for new products as new pollutants are emerging every day, their concentration in water is increasing due to lower water volume in aquifers and current adsorbents and technologies manufacturers did not come with any innovation.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
D.B: Potentially, there are new membrane technologies, both polymer and ceramic ones, however, they demand lots of energy to push water through the membrane. From this point of view our technological solution outperforms them, while removing all dangerous contaminants and microorganisms.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2022?
D.B: In the second half of year 2022 we will be installing two or three technological units for recycling back wash water from sand filter near Prague. We are also expecting to sign contract with international beverage producer where we will be using our technology for low-level pesticide removal from bottled water. Concurrently with that we will be expanding with under sink water fitters to abroad markets, mainly in Europe.