STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Alfa Laval, a world leader in centrifugal separation, heat transfer and fluid handling, focus on the environmental issue with ballast water. The company starts a co-operation with the Swedish company Benrad, who has developed a new and patented technology that has been found extremely potent in the treatment of water and removal of all kinds of micro-organisms and bacteria.
Shipping transfers approx 3 to 5 billion tones of ballast water internationally each year, providing balance and stability to un-laden ships. However, introduction of invasive marine species into new environments by ships' ballast water may also pose a serious ecological, economic and health threat and has been identified by experts as one of the greatest threats to the oceans. There are hundreds of examples of serious introductions around the world, causing severe human health problems, economic and/or ecological impacts in their host environments. The European Zebra mussel that invaded in great lakes in the US is just one example, with an impact of approx. US$ 1 billion in expenditures since 1989. It is even feared that diseases such as cholera might be able to be transported in ballast water. ``We believe that the combination between Benrad's experience in the field of ballast water treatment and our global presence will be a perfect match and that we will be able to offer the market an effective, cost-competitive and environmental friendly solution for ballast water treatment in order to prevent the spread of alien species," says Svante Karlsson, Executive Vice President of the Alfa Laval Group and head of Equipment Division. Patrick Dahl, CEO of Benrad comments: ``Benrad is happy with this agreement and look forward to a fruitful and prosperous co-operation". An International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments was adopted at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in February this year, with a succeeding ratification process. This convention, when entering into force, will eventually demand the majority of all merchant vessels to have ballast water management systems with start from 2009. Already at this point in time there is or is developing national or local legislation in several countries; e.g., Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, and the US.
Editors note:
Benrad is a privately owned Swedish company located in Stockholm. The company counts some of Sweden's most reputed companies as its owners, namely Wallgrund AB, sister company to Wallenius Lines, SEB, Sweden's largest commercial bank, and Industrifonden, the main investment vehicle for the Swedish Government. The company was founded in 1997 based on a new and patented technology. This technology is an Advanced Oxidation Technology (AOT) that has been found extremely potent in the treatment of water and removal of all kinds of micro-organisms and bacteria. Apart from its devotion to the issue of Ballast Water Treatment, Benrad is present with its technology in other areas such as; Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Cooling Systems, Industrial Process Water as well as other Marine applications. The technology is also widely used in applications for potable water. A more detailed description of the company can be found at www.benrad.se
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. The company's equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce foods and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol. Alfa Laval's products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications. Alfa Laval's worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena. Alfa Laval is listed on the Stockholm Exchange and, in 2003, posted annual sales of about SEK 14 billion (approx. 1.5 billion euros). The company has some 9,400 employees. For further information, please visit the Alfa Laval website at www.alfalaval.com For further reference information please visit the International Maritime Organization (IMO) website at http://globallast.imo.org
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