History

Elmar Peters, the founder of Ecodis, was a partner in an environment consultancy in the 1990s. He found at the time that a large number of companies were looking for water treatment techniques that did not require the use of chemicals. Among other things chemical substances caused problems when releasing or recycling waste water. The demand for ecological water disinfection was becoming louder and louder, moreover, because of stricter environment legislation.

In October 1997 Elmar Peters began the development of the first ecodis® cell. One year later the first tests were performed at the drinking water company Pidpa in Grobbendonk (B). The University of Louvain (B) saw the kick-off of various studies into the applications of the ecodis® cell.

1999, too, saw a lot of research. Jointly with the SVW (Flemish Water Co-operation, the umbrella organisation of the Flemish water boards) a study was started into the disinfection power of the ecodis® cell. Derva Lab, a renowned water lab from Heusden-Zolder (B) performed the first tests in private swimming-pools.

In 2000 a new collaborative effort was set up with the SVW. This time a study was carried out into the effect of the ecodis® cell on the biofilm in water mains. In October of that year Elmar Peters was presented with the Aquatech Innovation Award. Aquatech is the world’s largest water treatment trade fair. A panel of professional judges elected Ecodis as one of the major technological revelations of the fair.

Five years after the start of the Ecodis cell development the first employee was recruited. From then on, things moved rapidly. Today, the company employs almost 20 engineers and technicians.

In 2003 Ecodis took its first steps in electronics applications. It started the development of a microcontroller of its own.

In 2005 the first patent application was submitted. The patent involved “the destruction of pseudo-estrogens” . Besides, the development of a first version of the ‘on-line monitoring and microprocessor’ was completed. In that same year professors published 3 ‘peer reviewed publications’ about the ecodis® cell in renowned scientific journals.

In 2006 the company relocated to Schoten, a district of Antwerp. The company moved into a spacious industrial building, housing an auditorium, as well as a water lab. Moreover, the management was much expanded. That year the company organised its first symposium