Bernama.com (Malaysian National News Agency), 05 December 2006

IPT Kosmo Seeks to Commercialize Biotechnology-based Solution

By Leslean Arshad

Tremain Tanner says IPT Kosmo is seeking opportunities to offer its environmentally-friendly technology in Malaysia's palm oil sector and municipal sewerage systems.

SHAH ALAM, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- IPT Kosmo BioTechnology Sdn Bhd, armed with its biotechnology-based wastewater treatment solution, is aiming to commercialize its environmentally-friendly technology to improve wastewater treatment in Malaysia.

This follows the completion of two pilot projects conducted to treat wastewater for government agencies, both in the Klang Valley, and two others in Thailand for Amata Water Thailand and I.S.A. Value Co Ltd.

IPT Kosmo president and chief executive officer Tremain Tanner said the company was seeking opportunities to offer the technology in Malaysia's palm oil sector and municipal sewerage systems.

According to him, the pilot projects had yielded good results with one of the sites in Malaysia achieving 40 percent reduction of sludge in just four months.

In Thailand, the IPT Kosmo sludge reduction process managed to deliver a total saving of US$23,000 to the client, he said.

Tanner said IPT Kosmo was in the midst of preparing reports on the effectiveness of the technology based on the pilot tests.

"We are now looking to commercialize the project. We are at the final drafting stage (of the report) right now. We hope to present the reports to relevant agencies such as the Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry and Department of Environment, and plant owners in the country to show what we can do," he said in an interview here.

IPT Kosmo spent over RM1 million for the pilot projects, which ran between six and 10 months, including for the setting up of laboratories and offices.

The technology used to treat wastewater is a patented, tried and tested methodology developed by In-Pipe Technology of the United States. IPT Kosmo is a joint venture between Kosmo Seraya Sdn Bhd and In-Pipe Technology.

IPT Kosmo has since acquired the patents for the Asean region, making Malaysia the only country outside the US which has the technology.

With the solution, IPT Kosmo will exclusively service Malaysia and its neighbouring countries in the fight to conserve the environment from increasing river pollution and overloaded water treatment plants.

The In-Pipe treatment modifies the naturally occurring biofilm already growing in the collection system to deliver a number of major benefits without an increase in net operating cost.

It reduces odours and grease blockages in the pipes and pumping stations, improves the performance and efficiency of the treatment plant and helps the plant meet discharge compliance levels.

IPT Kosmo is participating in the three-day international conference-cum-exhibition BioMalaysia 2006 to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from tomorrow to Dec 8.

Tanner said the technology was developed 10 years ago and has been in commercial use in the US for six years.

The technology has been applied at 50 wastewater treatment installations in the US, he said.

"Once decision makers in Asean countries see the results, IPT Kosmo stands a good chance to spread its wings throughout the region," he added.

IPT Kosmo water treatment comes in at minimum cost to the client because as a service company, it undertakes all installation and monitoring costs including staffing and maintenance, receiving its service fee at the end of the month, Tanner said.

As a result, no upfront investment, construction works, trucks or petrol allowances are required, he said.

Tanner said securing jobs from the palm oil sector and municipal councils could generate a healthy revenue for the company.

IPT Kosmo could charge about RM10,000 a month per palm oil mill or an estimate of RM20 per person per year to serve municipal wastewater system, he said.

Tanner said IPT Kosmo was currently in talks with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to offer its technology for the Cyberjaya wastewater plants.

The technology would help to increase the existing design capacity of the plants without capital investment and meet the effluent quality, he said.

Tanner said the company was in the midst of research and development works to help improve palm oil mills by reducing emission of methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

IPT Kosmo had identified a demonstration site in Negeri Sembilan where it hoped to invite Malaysian academicians for closer analysis, he added.