A breakthrough technology company
Salinity Solutions addresses two of the biggest challenges in sustaining human life on earth – water and energy. Its patented solution has been described as the biggest step forward in water treatment in 50 years and has the potential to benefit every corner of the globe – from wastewater clean-up, water re-use, brine minimisation, ultrapure water (UPW) production, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and high-value mineral extraction to rural drinking water supply.
Why it all began
Over the next 25 years, the amount of energy used by the global water sector is projected to double. The supply, distribution and treatment of water will account for 4% of the world’s total electricity consumption. And for at least the next decade the majority of this energy will be generated from non-renewable sources such as gas and coal. Salinity Solutions has developed a disruptive technology to dramatically reduce the high carbon footprint of water treatment. Together we can support a wide range of industries in the effort to solve the emerging global water crisis.
Timeline of Salinity Solutions
2000
A global challenge
On his extensive travels in the early 2000s, Professor Philip Davies witnesses the challenges of water stress and the complexity and cost of desalination systems. He becomes convinced that there must be a more efficient method of water treatment.
2012
The technology is born
While heading a research team at Aston University, Philip publishes his first paper outlining a design for a a high efficiency adaptation of the established reverse osmosis (RO) method of desalination. Philip spends the next 10 years developing a better system of RO. Supported by £3m in research grants at Aston and Birmingham Universities, he investigates three orientations, builds five prototypes and implements four fiel
2016
The entrepreneur
Tim Naughton is looking for a thesis project for his mechanical engineering degree at Aston University. Philip’s motivation to solve a global problem captures Tim’s imagination.
2018
The sum of minds
Together Philip and Tim move to the University of Birmingham (UoB) to complete the build and test of a full-scale prototype. The first patent is registered.
2019
National recognition
ICuRe programme, funded by Innovate UK and supported by University of Birmingham Enterprise business incubator, provides a £200k grant for development of the 2nd generation full scale prototype.
2020
Growth partner joins
UoB Enterprise introduces Tim to Clean Engineering, who are attracted by the societal and commercial opportunity and the dedication of Philip & Tim.
2021
The Spinout
Clean Engineering provide the seed investment and Salinity Solutions Ltd is launched. A CrowdCube campaign raises £750,000.
2022
Tested in the field
First successful field trial of the commercial prototype. Second CrowdCube campaign raises £700,000
2023
Award Winners
Salinity pick up an armful of national and international awards including the Water Industry Awards. Our nutrient removal product is launched in Somerset, attended by Minister for Water
2024
Business Growth
Salinity signs a partnership agreement with SUEZ to pilot a system for water reuse in France. SQM, one of the world’s leading producers of battery-grade lithium chemicals, invests GBP £1m to help fund the next stage of growth. A successful industrial effluent trial is completed with GrowUp vertical farm in Kent, UK to dramatically improve their water reuse. We also signed our first licensing deal with RealZLD in India
2025
Global projects
In 2025 we will negotiate further licensing deals, allowing our partners to deploy HyBatch around the world, reducing energy, increasing recovery and minimising chemicals in multiple applications, including municipal water reuse, industrial Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), process water, food & beverage, surface water decontamination, nutrient removal and mineral enrichment
The Team
Our experienced team is drawn from the worlds of engineering, water treatment, finance, marketing, HR and sales. Our advisory board provides insight to allow us to better understand the needs of our potential customers and their specific industrial applications.
Team
Tim is the founder of Salinity Solutions having developed the technology first at Aston University and then University of Birmingham as a research fellow. He refined the technology and explored its commercial potential through programs like Innovate UK’s ICURe “Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research” accelerator.
Tim serves as the Technical Director, overseeing IP security, technical and product development.
Timothy Naughton, BEng
Technical Director & Founder
Richard supported the spin out of Salinity Solution in 2021. He has spent 30+ years in industrial product and market development and was founder of Productiv and The Proving Factory.
Richard Bruges, MBA, BSc, Mech Eng
CEO
Steve brings extensive commercial manufacturing experience, most recently as Managing Director of a JV start-up with Rolls Royce.
Steve Dunn
Commercial and Operations Director
After completing a chemistry degree, Jim has spent over 30 years in automotive and technical marketing. Having built an international marketing agency, he exited in 2021.
Jim Gilroy, BSc
Marketing Director
Liam is a co- founder of Salinity Solutions following 8 years of RO technology and desalination R&D experience at Aston and Birmingham universities. He oversees the technical implementation of customer field trials and pilots.
Liam Burlace, MEng
Technology Manager
Jonathan has spent over 20 years in electronic engineering design and development. Hie has extensive experience across a variety of industrial sectors including aerospace, automotive, consumer products and industrial high power laser systems.
Jonathan Grylls, BEng
Head of Engineering
Vena holds an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development and an MEng in Chemical Engineering. Her focus is on the effect of water chemistry on the HyBatch RO process, she analyses the impact of pre-treatment/chemicals to help optimize the technology for different feedwater qualities.
Vena Jain, MSc, MEng
Chemical Engineer
Steve brings nearly 30 years of hands-on commercial and financial leadership experience to the role of building a resilient technology business. In addition to key Finance roles at Ford and Lloyds Bank, Steve spent 24 years at IBM, working as CFO/FD in multiple business units in France, Switzerland and the UAE. Steve is a qualified accountant with an MBA from Manchester Business School.
Steve Wheelhouse ACMA/CGMA, MBA
Head of Finance
Alan worked in the aerospace sector for 28 years, progressing from materials testing to a commercial role and then IP & Licensing management. After 13 years within the University of Birmingham technology transfer office, he joined Salinity in Sept 2022.
Alan Tibbats, CTO, BEng
Intellectual Property Manager
Advisory Board
Portfolio of advisory roles in energy and water sectors, both academic and commercial, UK and International.
Dr Alan Lowdon, OBE, BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD
Advisory Board Chair
Get in touch
Contact us to find out how HyBatch can impact your business