Wellington - 2 June 2010 - Viclink, the commercialisation partner of Victoria University of Wellington, has announced an exciting clean technology project called Wetox. Wetox is an innovation that uses science to address one of today's biggest pollution problems; it has the potential to keep New Zealand's rivers and waterways clean by treating the run-off from our dairy farms, wineries and meat works.

The patented technology works by breaking down smelly, liquid organic sludge, turning it into usable by-products such as water, steam, fertiliser and acetic acid, which may be used to generate additional revenue streams.

John Errington, Chief Executive Officer at Viclink said: "Traditional wet air oxidation methods have been prohibitively expensive for smaller to medium sized users. The invention of Wetox will bring this technology to industries in a much more cost-effective way. "The creation of Wetox is an example of how Viclink works with academics and business to solve real problems, such as cleaning-up New Zealand's waterways, and creating revenue for New Zealand from the export of this ground breaking technology."

Wetox uses a vat or autoclave that is fed organic liquid waste made up of 4% to 15% solids. Through a patented process, the formerly problematic waste in the vat is turned into water, steam, acetic acid, nitrates and phosphates that can either be used by the business or sold on. The high-pressure steam that is generated in the process can be used to drive a turbine for power generation or the heat generated can be used for industrial process heating.