1. Gert-Jan Euverink, deputy-director research

2. First initiative in The Netherlands bridging the gap between: Bio- and separation technology Drinking water and waste water Public and private (water)problems Wetsus, Unique topinstitute

3. Wetsus started in 2003 A post-graduate research institute –PhD students and Post-Docs Research Themes –driven by industrial partners –carried out by key universities Funding –by industrial partners (in money / facilities) –by universities (in kind: professors, PhDs, facilities) –by government (local and regional) All at a single physical location –Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

4. Sparkling start of Wetsus ! September 16/17, 2004

5. Fresh water availability

6. Mission, Ambition, Scope Contribute to the solution of global water problems through technological innovation and collaboration 1.1 billion people no safe drinking water Increasing shortage Irrigation water 2.5 billion people no safe sanitation Wetsus aims to become the European Centre of Excellence in the field of sustainable water technology.

7. Develop new Water Technology Establish a network function for water industry National incubator for water technology start-ups To become an international acknowledged Hot Spot for water technology Strategy

8. unique bundling of know-how disciplines 15 scientific chairs 1.Wageningen University 2.University Twente 3.Technical University Delft >32 companies 1.Drinking water 2.Water boards 3.Water Technology suppliers 4.Industry

9. The basic IPR arrangement Claim to results and intellectual property: –All results and (claims to) intellectual property rights…etc... will be the complete property of Wetsus. –Participant companies have the possibility of receiving priority in the acquisition of a license to the above….etc…. –Participant research institutes may use the results for education, publications and research….

10. Multidisciplinary Research Themes

11. Decentral sanitation Blue Energy Sludge reduction Laboratory

12. Conclusions Research Institute Wetsus employs about 50 people (still growing) –Import of highly educated people to the region –Attracting force for companies to established offices in the region Interesting environment for startups Venture capital Business development assistance Knowledge network Facility sharing Offices