A UK company is testing a desalination technology that uses up to 80% less electricity than standard reverse osmosis systems, powered by waste heat rather than high-pressure pumps. This matters because both the UK and Singapore face severe freshwater shortages—the UK projects a water supply deficit of roughly 5,000 million litres per day by 2050, while Singapore expects domestic water demand to double within 40 years. Current large-scale desalination is costly, energy-intensive, and produces significant greenhouse gas emissions. Waterwhelm’s forward osmosis system operates at much lower pressure, cutting capital costs by 35% and operating costs by around 50% compared to reverse osmosis. If successful, the project could make industrial sites in Singapore and Southern Asia self-sufficient in water, using their own waste heat to produce fresh water. This would reduce the carbon footprint of water production, ease water scarcity that constrains industries like semiconductor manufacturing, and create UK export and supply-chain jobs. The technology directly addresses a critical infrastructure gap: how to produce clean water affordably without worsening climate emissions.
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Both the UK and Singapore are facing current/future challenges of freshwater demand significantly exceeding supply. In the UK, there will be projected water supply deficits of ~5000MLD (2050), driven by Environment Agency abstraction reductions, population and economic growth, and climate change effects of drought/water scarcity. In Singapore, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment has projected that domestic water demand will double in 40 years. This, whilst there is substantial need to increase water resilience and become less dependent on external water supply. Both countries recognise that current technologies used for large-scale desalination are costly, energy intensive and lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions. With this recognition, is realisation and drive for new ideas and more efficient products and processes for desalination. Waterwhelm (UK), through participation in Innovate UK's Singapore Global Incubator Programme, has recognised the need for new low-carbon footprint desalination technologies in Southern Asia. Further, the opportunity to export its desalination technology to the region to produce water when it is needed most. Waterwhelm has a breakthrough water re-use and desalination technology that operates at significantly lower pressure, than the installed base, for lower capital and maintenance cost. Powered by waste heat, the circular solution achieves the world's lowest-ever rate of electricity consumption and CO2 emissions. In comparison to reverse osmosis (RO), Waterwhelm's forward osmosis (FO) uses up to 80% less electricity whilst eliminating the need for high pressures leads to 35% less CAPEX (on scale-up) and ~50% less OPEX. Through this business led, collaborative R&D project, Waterwhelm will develop its technology for the Singapore/Southern Asia region. With direct seawater desalination operational/testing trials to deliver an improved commercialised product. Leveling the playing field between FO and RO, incentivising uptake of the new technology. Through GIP, Waterwhelm determined high levels of (unutilised) waste heat at industrial sites in Singapore/Asia, and desperate need for fresh water. Waterwhelm can make these site self-sufficient in terms of their own water use. The overall impact will be an improved forward osmosis desalination product, exported from the UK, for water re-use and desalination that significantly reduces carbon footprint of fresh water production and increases water availability. It will accelerate company growth, and benefit local economies in UK -- through established local supply and contractor chains and in Singapore where water scarcity is stifling economic growth (e.g. water for semiconductor production). Enhancing business links and trade between nations whilst protecting our most valuable resource; water.
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