Date:16/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/16/stories/2006041601090200.htm

Back Singapore co to unveil water making devices

Ambarish Mukherjee

AIR TO WATER

Internationally, the air to water machine costs approximately $1,200 and runs on electricity.

New Delhi , April 15

Drinking water shortage could soon be a thing of the past. The Government has allowed a company that holds patent for the technology of producing water out of air to set up shop in the country.

Singapore-based Hyflux Lifestyle Products (S) PTE Ltd has received Government approval last fortnight to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India for manufacturing, marketing, sale, use, sub-licence and leasing of its patented potable water making devices.

Internationally, the air to water machine costs approximately $1,200 and runs on electricity.

Its size varies from that of a microwave to a desert cooler. Whether an India-specific pricing strategy is being worked upon could not be ascertained as yet.

The mechanism

It sucks in atmospheric air, which is put through a patented filter system and ultraviolet treatment to remove bacteria.

The water vapour is then cooled and the condensed water passed through more filters. It is then dispensed through plastic taps.

Hyflux Ltd began in 1989 as Hydrochem (S) Pte Ltd, to sell water treatment systems in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and later, China.

A little more than a decade later, it became the first water treatment company to be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in January 2001, according to the company's Web site.

First foray

The Hyflux group made its first foray into the consumer market in 2003 by acquiring a 2 per cent stake in the California-based Air 2 Water Inc, which was founded by a former scientist of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration and owns the patent for the concept of producing drinking water from water vapour and would enjoy the patent benefits for the next 20 years.