Xylem recognizes International Stockholm Junior Water Prize awardees for research using clay to remove and recover pollutants from wastewater

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 2012-- Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), a leading global water technology company focused on addressing the world’s most challenging water issues congratulates Luigi Marshall Cham, Jun Yong Nicholas Lim and Tian Ting Carrie-Anne Ng of Singapore, the winners of the 2012 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the most prestigious international student competition for water-related research. The award was presented to the students last night at the annual World Water Week celebration in Stockholm for their research on the use of clay to remove and recover pollutants from wastewater. Xylem is the global sponsor of the award, which draws entries from students in more than 30 countries.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize; Luigi Marshall Cham, Jun Yong Nicholas Lim and Tian Ting Carrie-Anne Ng, the 2012 Stockholm Junior Water Prize winners; Angela Buonocore, Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer, Xylem Inc. Photo credit: Cecilia Österberg

The team developed a method where bentonite clay is used to remove and recover non-ionic surfactant pollutants from the water without generating any waste products. These pollutants removed are soap-like additives used in industry as well as in household detergents and cosmetic products. The clay is able to absorb up to 100 percent of the non-ionic surfactants and can then be flushed clean with alcohol, allowing the compounds to be reused.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the students with a $5,000 award. They also received an invitation to present their findings at the Water Environment Federation annual conference in New Orleans in October, the largest water quality and technology event in North America.

“Xylem is committed to inspiring innovation in science, technology and engineering to solve the world’s greatest water challenges. We commend Luigi Marshall Cham, Jun Yong Nicholas Lim and Tian Ting Carrie-Anne Ng for this honorable achievement,” said Gretchen McClain, president and CEO of Xylem. “We are impressed with the caliber of research represented by the young scientists who participated in this year’s competition and the ability of these projects to be applied to solve real water challenges.”

The selection jury also awarded a Diploma of Excellence to Alonso Alvarez and Daniel Barrientos from Chile for their project, which outlined how salmon waste from the fishing industry can be used for biofuel production.

The international SJWP is presented each year to students between the ages of 15 and 20 for outstanding water-related projects that focus on topics of environmental, scientific, social or technological importance. Winners from more than 30 countries competed for the international honor, which was awarded by an international jury of water professionals and scientists. The prize is administered by the Stockholm International Water Institute.

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems. Launched in 2011 from the spinoff of the water-related businesses of ITT Corporation, Xylem is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with 2011 revenues of $3.8 billion and 12,500 employees worldwide.

The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all -- that which occurs in nature. For more information, please visit us at www.xyleminc.com.

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Source: Xylem Inc.

Xylem Inc.
Tom Glover, +1-914-323-5891
Tom.Glover@xyleminc.com