Australian reverse-osmosis desalination manufacturer MAK Industrial Water Systems has acquired Queensland-based Clearmake Water Treatment & Recycling Solutions as part of a national expansion strategy across Australia.
Perth-based MAK Water says it has experienced huge growth in demand for desalination and wastewater treatment plants as companies seek to desalinate borehole or sea water or recycle wastewater for remote industrial, commercial and residential operations, where water is a scarce commodity.
The company acquired 100% of Clearmake as of 1 July 2013. Clearmake manufactures water treatment and recycling systems that enable industrial wastewater and harvested storm water to be recycled for commercial and industrial applications.
Clearmake has developed the technology locally and has over 4,000 systems in operation throughout Australia. It has extensive exposure to the Coal Seam Gas sector, where it has recently supplied condensate-recycling systems to Santos for its GLNG project.
MAK Water CEO Andy Byk said that the acquisition was part of the company’s strategy to develop its capabilities on the east coast and provided additional value through MAK’s ability to better support Clearmake’s customers through its Perth, Karratha, Melbourne and Adelaide service offices.
“The demand for desalination and water treatment is growing exponentially,” Byk added. “The scarcity of water is a growing issue in Australia as rainfall is not as dependable and remote communities and operations have to rely on treating water to fill the gap.”