An Israeli Company is Generating the Water from Air

Our planet is covered by almost 70% of the water, and it is easy to consider that it will always be abundant. Nonetheless, freshwater—the substance we drink, bath in, irrigate our farms with—is incredibly rare. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise inaccessible for our usage.

According to WWF, nearly 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. It is estimated that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water scarcities and further affecting ecosystems around the world.

With this challenge in mind, an Israeli company has developed technology to make the water from the air we breathe. Water-gen is focused on developing innovative technology for water supply and air drying solutions.

Research Stash had a chance to interact with Maxim Pasik, who is currently the Executive Chairman of Water-Gen. Maxim Pasik is an internationally experienced, a results-driven leader whose primary focus is spearheading Water-Gen’s business development strategy.

A certified CPA, Maxim began his career in 2000 as a tax advisor at Ernst and Young Israel and also served as a lecturer in capital markets, accounting and finance at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Kiryat Ono College. He earned a Bachelor of Business Management degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Manchester University.

Can you tell us about your team and what inspired you to build Water-Gen?

Fresh drinking water continues to be humanity’s greatest challenge. Our atmosphere is the world’s primary source of fresh water. The air around us is our solution, and Water-Gen is tapping that unlimited resource. Water-Gen’s mission is to improve the quality of life of billions across the globe who face poor water sanitation or inaccessibility to clean drinking water.

Water-Gen’s cutting-edge technology provides an abundant, renewable source of fresh and clean drinking water by extracting it directly from the air. With the patented GENius, the world’s most energy-efficient Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) module of its kind, Water-Gen’s various water generator models can serve the water needs from a small house to whole villages to an entire country.

What are the greatest challenges you faced while pursuing the idea of Water-Gen?

The strategic focus of Water-Gen evolved over the past last year with the emergence of a new controlling shareholder. Water-Gen’s new objectives were to seek the most effective ways to produce clean and safe drinking water for large consumption at an efficient, low cost that made economic sense and, at the same time, ensuring quality and good tasting water. This was never achievable until now. We went from producing water at 1500 watts/litre to 300 watts per litre, now making clean and safe drinking water that tastes greatly available to everyone, including under-developed countries.

What is the core technology of Water-Gen and how does it work?

Water-Gen’s patented GENius technology is a highly mobile water generator with an integrated energy optimization module that enhances water production in response to external atmospheric conditions (day/night, seasons, geographic location, altitude, etc.) and is developed for fast and easy deployment in all weather conditions. Water-Gen invested many years of R&D in developing the GENius model. It is designed from thin plastic leaves (a thermally low-conductive material and an integral evaporator), stacked together to form a dual alternating air-streams that counter-flow to generate a gradient heat exchanger. The use of plastic is unique, allowing gradient cooling and heating of the air streams, while water condensation is limited to a small, predestined area.

What is the current focus market and who are your potential competitors?

Water-Gen is ready to sell the water-from-air units to everyone, governments, institutions, NGOs, and consumers. Our broad market strategy is focused on ensuring that everyone across the globe has the opportunity to have accessible, clean, safe and low-cost drinking water available to them immediately.

How much are the products/services priced at? How has the response been so far?

We are preparing to go to market at the end of the year. Water-Gen products will be priced affordably whereby countries such as Africa and India will be able to purchase them. We are a business company, but our vision is a humanitarian one. In the 21st century, there is no reason for any society to suffer a shortage of water.

What’s Water-Gen’s international presence now? What’s the goal? How does this relate to revenue?

There is a global demand for clean and safe drinking water, and Water-Gen is collaborating with local partners in the U.S., Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, Australia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, CIS countries, African countries, and China to provide clean and safe drinking water solutions in homes, schools, hospitals, and the communities where needed. We are on every continent and we are determined to make India and the clean drinking water needs of the people of India one of our first priorities, while at the same time expanding the friendly cooperation between our two countries. Water-Gen is currently planning to work with the municipality of New Delhi for a pilot in Connaught Place.

For every community size, Water-Gen has the ability to help. Large Scale Water Generators can potentially service billions around the world, including whole cities, villages, schools, and hospitals. The GEN-350G Medium Scale Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) was awarded the “Atmospheric Water Generation for forwarding Operating Base” CCD Contract with the UK Ministry of Defense. The Genny, the Water from Air Home Appliance, is a plug and drink solution which makes it ideal for homes and offices with a quick and easy installation.

What do you look in for new hires? And what is your advice for looking forward to work with Water-Gen?

Water-Gen is always looking to add to our talented team of Engineers and our R&D department. We seek potential employees who share our vision to solve the global drinking water crisis and provide accessible, clean and safe drinking water at a low cost to the world as quickly as possible.

What are the challenges for entering Asian markets for an Israel based company like yours?

Israel-based Water-Gen is one of the world’s most innovative companies, and we are proud of the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between Israel and India. Water-Gen can solve India’s drinking water crisis and immediately provide the safest and most cost-efficient drinking water to the people of India. The continuous availability of clean drinking water will improve the quality of life for India’s population.

In addition, by manufacturing Water-Gen units in India, we will be creating thousands of jobs and positively affecting India’s economy. On July 4^th, Water-Gen signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s SUN Group – whose Vice President is a member of the newly-formed Israel-India CEO forum that accompanying Prime Minister Modi to Israel. As part of the MOU, the two companies agreed to cooperate in the distribution of Water-Gen’s cutting-edge technology in the Indian market, with an emphasis on the Indian military, official institutions, and government agencies.

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