Oxford Uni spin-off secures valves deal with Middle East water company
30 May 2017
Oxford Flow has won its first Middle Eastern contract, with an agreement to supply valves technology to the Gulf emirate of Sharjah’s water industry.
The company, formed as a spin-out from Oxford University to develop innovative flow control products, will sign the contract with Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA).
It will allow the firm to trial its diaphragm-free pressure reducing valve (PRV) in the Sharjah water network.
Simon Hombersley, Oxford Flow CEO commented: “This is an exciting collaboration that develops links between Oxford and the Gulf region, and part of our wider strategy for commercial roll out in water, gas, and oil and gas markets.”
Oxford Flow valves use a patented piston-based operating system that the company says is lighter, more durable and more accurate. It was developed from Oxford professor Tom Povey’s research into jet engines at the Osney Thermo-Fluids laboratory.
This is in line with the SEWA strategy to embed leading technologies into our operations
Rashid Alleem, chairman, SEWA
Oxford Flow will also collaborate with the SEWA gas distribution business’s Pressure Reducing Station of the Future project – aimed at boosting efficiencies in the sector.
Since its creation in 2015, Oxford Flow has worked with a number of utilities companies in the UK and Europe including Anglian, Veolia, Northumbrian Water and FCC Aqualia.
The impending Sharjah agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in London and overseen by the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.
In a statement after the London meeting, SEWA chairman Dr Rashid Alleem said: “We welcome this partnership and look forward to working with Oxford Flow to implement this pilot and explore further opportunities. This is in line with the SEWA strategy to embed leading technologies into our operations.”
Sharjah is the third largest member of the United Arab Emirates and the only one with access to both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Oxford Flow marks the first investment by Oxford Sciences Innovation – the £580 million investment company which has the responsibility for commercialising Oxford University’s technologies.
