Ovivo and Microdyn-Nadir Form a Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth in the U.S. MBR Market

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Oct 13, 2015, 11:07 ET

MONTREAL, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Ovivo Inc. ("Ovivo") signed an unprecedented, multi-year agreement, with Microdyn-Nadir (''Microdyn'') to service the U.S. membrane bioreactor (MBR) market. The agreement secures access to BIO-CEL® membrane technology and includes a collaborative venture to build private-label membrane equipment (OV^TM). Combining Ovivo system integration expertise with the Microdyn membrane manufacturing knowledge is expected to rapidly drive innovation, increase quality, reduce costs and improve delivery times. In one of the fastest growing segments of the wastewater treatment industry, Ovivo will now be positioned as the clear leader in the U.S. market.

MBR systems are considered the best available treatment (B.A.T.) or the most advanced technology in the wastewater industry. In fact, Ovivo® MBR systems are routinely designed to produce the highest quality reuse effluent and to meet the most stringent nutrient limits. It has also become the technology of choice for upgrading, expanding and retrofitting outdated or failing facilities. For these reasons and others, the demand for MBR has steadily increased over the last 10 years. However, the rate of growth has been limited by misconceptions about cost of ownership and membrane life. The new Ovivo-Microdyn partnership will address both of these issues by offering BulletProof^TM OV^TM membrane units equipped with BIO-CEL® technology and integrated into Ovivo® MBR systems.

As part of the new partnership, Microdyn has agreed to build a second production line for BIO-CEL® membranes. The new line will most likely be located in Austin, Texas, in cooperation with Ovivo U.S. operations, with production set to begin in January 2017. "We are delighted to extend our partnership with Microdyn and to collaborate closely with them in providing highly-effective MBR systems to our clients," said Marc Barbeau, Ovivo's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Their new production line near our U.S. operations should provide us with more innovation flexibility and agility for our MBR solutions, in a constantly evolving environment," added Mr. Barbeau.

Ovivo will benefit from the new line and so will its partner, Microdyn. "Local market presence is key to being a meaningful player in North America", says Walter Lamparter, CEO at Microdyn. "With our second BIO-CEL® line, we will be able to minimize freight costs and realize shorter delivery times. Together with our local U.S. partner Ovivo, we offer decades of experience in MBR technology," added Mr. Lamparter.

What makes BIO-CEL® technology different than the flat-plate system previously used by Ovivo is the design. Microdyn flat sheets take 60% less raw material to make than plates and production is fully automated. From an operational standpoint, the flexible sheets are also less susceptible to damaging debris and clogging that can occur with plates. Dennis Livingston, Ovivo MBR Director, stated that "out of the 7 different membrane technologies we've introduced to the U.S. market, the trajectory of acceptance is incredibly steep for the OV^TM using BIO-CEL®. In less than 24 months, we already have 14 plants under construction or in operation using the OV^TM and have been pre-selected for 3 large projects with rated capacities of approximately 16,000m³/day, 20,000m³/day and 40,000m³/day, respectively."

In North America, Ovivo has some 300 employees with 80 serving already the MBR market. Ovivo has supplied MBR solutions to over 250 projects and is now commissioning one of the largest MBR systems in the world at Canton, OH. The MBR Group located in Austin, Texas, has numerous patents regarding the MBR process and includes a team of senior mechanical designers and engineers with expertise to design OV^TM membrane unit components.

About Ovivo:

Ovivo Inc. is a global company dedicated to water and wastewater treatment. It offers comprehensive technological solutions, as well as services and equipment tailored to specific client needs. Ovivo operates in over 15 countries with more than 800 employees. Ovivo is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols OVI.A and OVI.B. www.ovivowater.com

About Microdyn:

With locations in Germany, Asia, USA and South America, Microdyn is a leading independent producer of micro-, ultra- and nano filtration membranes and modules. At its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Microdyn pursues intensive research & development activities.

For almost 50 years, Microdyn has been applying its products in various industrial and municipal applications, e.g. in the field of water and wastewater treatment as well as in many process-integrated applications. The product´s outstandingly sharp cut-offs and reproducibility allow for a high application variety, among others in the chemical and food industry. www.microdyn-nadir.com

Notice regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release and other public communications regarding management's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are recognized by the use of terms such as "forecast," "project," "could," "plan," "aim," "estimate" and other similar terms, possibly used in the future or conditional, particularly with regard to certain assumptions. The management of Ovivo would like to point out that forward looking statements involve a number of uncertainties and known and unknown risks such that the actual and future results of Ovivo could differ considerably from those stated. There can be no assurance as to the materialization of the results, performance or achievements as expressed in or underlying the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release were made as of the date hereof, and unless required to do so pursuant to applicable securities legislation, management of Ovivo assumes no obligation to update them.

Information about the risk factors to which Ovivo Inc. is exposed is provided under sections entitled "Risks and Uncertainties" in the management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and Ovivo's website (www.ovivowater.com).

SOURCE Ovivo Inc.