FAMILY FIRM IS SAVING WATER

From the archive, first published Thursday 5th Jan 2006.

A SMALL Dorset family firm is poised to help relieve water shortages in India.

Wessex Chemical Factors supplies a unique cleaning agent used in water recycling equipment.

Its product allows membrane bioreactors used to recycle water to function longer and more efficiently.

Membrane bioreactors will not make wastewater drinkable but they will make it suitable for washing or irrigation - saving vital fresh water for human consumption.

"This trade mission is not about selling more products to developing countries, but is backed by a genuine belief that a small family-run company in Dorset can play its part in making a difference to millions of lives in India," said Wessex's marketing co-ordinator Peter Roxburgh.

"We have spoken to experts in the field who said that our approach to the problem of keeping wastewater treatment membranes functioning efficiently is a world first.

"It differs from the usual cleaning materials in that it is fully biodegradable and does not cause any damage to the membranes themselves.

"It can be used and re-used numerous times. This will be particularly crucial in countries like India."

Wessex Chemical Factors is joining a UK Trade & Investment export mission to Mumbai and Calcutta from January 28 to February 3. It is supported by Business Link Wessex under the Passport To Export programme.

Wessex has been supplying chemicals to local businesses for at least 20 years.

The firm at Woolsbridge, Three Legged Cross, employs 10 people. Exports currently represent around £15,000 of its £420,000 annual turnover.

Last month, Wessex was a runner-up in the Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards. It was named a finalist in the IoD Innovation Award sponsored by Bournemouth University.

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