With over 140 stands representing more than 250 of the world’s leading providers of testing, analysis and monitoring equipment, and related services, WWEM 2016 provided a unique opportunity to see all of the latest developments at the same time, in one place. The Exhibition was bigger than ever and WWEM event manager David Hellyer says: "The feedback from exhibitors has been tremendous – with more visitors than ever before, the exhibition stands were extremely busy."
Oliver Grievson WIPAC Group Manager described the WWEM Exhibition as "an instrumentation sweet shop." He also noted that many of the exhibitors now use the WWEM events as an opportunity to launch their latest innovations or to announce their latest certification achievements. For example, Vega Controls launched a light version of their radar level monitor that received MCERTS Product certification and ABB had their newest laser level meter on show, while Pulsar had both their Microflow Flow meter and their Ultimate Controller on display, and Nivus demonstrated their newest area velocity flow measurement technology.
ATi unveiled a completely new range of continuous water quality monitors for distribution networks, and Cooper Environmental provided information on a new continuous multi-metals water analyser. In addition, Envitech showed the latest version of its in-situ auto-calibrating Ammonia monitor for wastewater.
Other new products included the new Lovibond online Turbidimeter and PPM demonstrated a new monitor for UVT and dissolved organics, a new low-flow final effluent turbidity monitor and a new digital technology allowing the integration of multiple sensors including pH, optical DO, Ammonium, Turbidity and MLSS.
Whilst speakers in the Priority Substances conference were highlighting developments in the treatment of phosphate in wastewater, OTT Hydrometry's stand featured the new HydroCycle PO4, the latest version of the Cycle-P remote, battery powered phosphate monitor. This technology was also the subject of a presentation in the Demonstration Area and a Workshop on diffuse pollution.
SMART technologies featured in many of the WWEM conferences and a workshop presented by OTT Hydrometry highlighted the use of intelligent Pluvio2 raingauges and telemetry in the Portsmouth Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Technolog featured the Cello 4S, a new remote telemetry outstation and Bell Flow Systems demonstrated the Aqualink telemetry systems. Ashridge Engineering's Sam Nichols said: "WWEM 2016 was a great success for us; we met a large number of both new and existing customers and received a particularly high level of interest in our Textlog range of remote data loggers and the Hydroguard trunk main monitoring system."
Yara had a significant presence at WWEM 2016, launching a range of new products to add to their Full Service Odour Control concept. Their Katie Oldfield said: "This was Yara's first time exhibiting at WWEM. We found the event well organised and the quality of leads excellent. It was a great way to launch our range of Nutriox Dosing and Evodor Air Treatment Systems."
Some of the new laboratory products launched at WWEM 2016 included the new Sempuris Dual Filter System from Labman, for water sample preparation. The SEAL Analytical stand was extremely busy with high levels of interest in the company's automated discrete analysers and segmented flow analysers. The company also received numerous enquiries for their new SmartBlock II digestion blocks which are available with high quality branded consumables.
Photonic Measurements displayed their range of spectrophotometers, turbidity and UV-254 analysers. CTO Dr. Connor Douglas said: "Our WWEM 2016 stand was very busy - our turbidity analyser gained the most interest with its patent pending ability to measure different turbidity standards and simulate the measurement of process analysers."
Blue Scientific launched a TXRF spectrometer for ultra-trace element analysis and PerkinElmer unveiled a brand new ICP, the Avio 200, for the analysis of toxic metals to ppb levels. Parker Hannifin’s stand featured their new THM analyser, Labmedics unveiled the new Smartchem 600 discrete automated nutrient analyser and Skalar were delighted with the level of interest in the BluVision™ discrete analyser which was launched at WWEM 2016.
Reagecon showcased their new Physical & Chemical Standards Compendium and Palintest's stand focused on the only EPA approved portable instrument for measuring chlorine dioxide and chlorite. ITS Europe demonstrated the eXact iDip® Smart Photometer System® which pairs directly with a smartphone/tablet, and Xylem Analytics showcased the latest WTW spectrophotometer featuring OptRF reagent free measurement.
Aquamatic's Jeremy Smith said: "With a wide range of Samplers and configuration options, the Aquamatic team is constantly looking for opportunities to work with customers to develop sampling solutions that meet their specific needs. The WWEM event provides a perfect opportunity to meet customers, new and existing, and show them our latest MCERTS approved sampling equipment. This year’s event seemed busier than ever, with excellent levels of interest in our Aquacell wastewater samplers."
Summarising the advantages of an exhibition, WWEM organiser Marcus Pattison says: If you sit at a desk and Google, you usually only find what you searched for, and predominantly on the websites of the larger suppliers. However, visitors to WWEM exhibitions find things they weren’t necessarily looking for; they get to handle the product and in some cases, even try it out.
"They say 'seeing is believing' but 'seeing, handling, trying and discussing' is much more powerful. That's why every WWEM event is bigger and better than the last with year on year growth in visitor numbers."
Feedback from WWEM 2016 speakers, delegates, visitors and exhibitors has been extremely positive, with all respondents commenting on how well the event went. However, Marcus says: "We have now set the bar even higher for WWEM 2018, and preparations are already underway. We will be back in Telford on 21st and 22nd November 2018 and look forward to seeing you there!"
