Forward Water Technologies

Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company (TSXV: FWTC) specializing in the commercialization of its proprietary forward osmosis technology for wastewater treatment. Founded in 2012 by GreenCentre Canada, a government-supported technology innovation center, the company emerged from research originally developed at Queen's University. The core technology was invented by Dr. Philip Jessop, a Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry at Queen's University, whose work focuses on green solvents and CO2-responsive materials. Dr. Jessop's innovations in switchable solvents, which can change form with a trigger like CO2, formed the basis for the company's approach. C. Howie Honeyman, who previously served as CTO for GreenCentre Canada, has been the CEO of Forward Water since 2015, bringing over 20 years of experience in commercializing new technologies at firms like E Ink and Natrix Separations.

The company's business model centers on providing a low-energy, cost-effective alternative to traditional, high-intensity wastewater treatment methods like thermal evaporation. Forward Water's patented industrial Forward Osmosis (iFO™) technology utilizes a three-step process involving a unique switchable salt draw solution. This process naturally draws fresh water out of contaminated industrial streams across a membrane. The 'switchable' nature of the salt allows for easy separation of the salt and the clean water using low-grade heat, making the process highly efficient and enabling up to 95% water recovery. The reclaimed water is clean enough for reuse in manufacturing processes, reducing a client's overall water consumption and environmental footprint. This positions the company to serve clients in sectors with challenging waste streams that are not well-suited for other membrane treatments like reverse osmosis.

Forward Water targets a diverse range of industrial sectors, including mining (specifically lithium brine concentration), oil and gas, agriculture, and food and beverage manufacturing. Its Li-FO™ technology, for example, is engineered to concentrate lithium brine, making lower-concentration sources more economically viable and improving recovery. The company's revenue is generated through contracts for technology evaluation, advisory services, and the eventual large-scale implementation of its systems. Recent corporate developments include a reverse takeover transaction with Fraser Mackenzie Accelerator Corp. in September 2024 to accelerate commercial efforts and several pilot projects with multinational manufacturers in the food and beverage industry.

Keywords: forward osmosis, wastewater treatment, water reuse, industrial wastewater, green chemistry, switchable solvents, brine concentration, lithium extraction, clean technology, water technology, low-energy water treatment, sustainable water management, direct lithium extraction (DLE), zero-liquid discharge, resource recovery, circular economy, membrane technology, industrial water solutions, mining water management, food and beverage wastewater