© Coldep
Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI), part of Saur Group, has acquired a majority share in Coldep, a French scale-up company pioneering the patented Vacuum Air Lift (VAL) technology. The strategic acquisition is set to strengthen NSI’s position in the emerging contaminants markets while supporting Coldep’s expansion across key sectors, including aquaculture, industrial effluents, desalination pre-treatment and the removal of PFAS and other micropollutants. This move supports the Saur Group’s #missionwater ambition.
“Partnering with NSI gives us the resources and global reach to scale our innovation. Aquaculture proved the reliability of VAL, industry is already benefiting from its efficiency, and we are now ready to accelerate into new strategic markets such as desalination and micropollutant treatment. Each application demonstrates the transformative potential of our technology to protect water resources for ecosystems, communities and industries,” said Sébastien Latz, chief executive of Coldep, in a press release.
“This innovative team and technology complements the existing portfolio by introducing additional benefits such as improved cost-efficiency, reduced energy consumption and enhanced environmental sustainability, with lower chemical usage and operational costs. This strategic acquisition aligns with NSI’s mission to deliver innovative, sustainable water treatment solutions globally, to help our customers to close and restore the water loop,” added Menno M. Holterman, chief executive of NSI.
The innovative VAL process
At the core of Coldep’s innovation is the VAL process (Vacuum Air Lift), a unique, patented system that uses vacuum pressure, a very specific vertical design and microbubble injection to separate contaminants from water with exceptional efficiency.
This modular approach is deployed under three complementary solutions:
VAL AQUA – Clean water for aquaculture and desalination pre-treatment
First developed for the aquaculture industry, VAL AQUA has become a key component in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), helping farmers improve water quality, reduce disease risk and increase fish survival rates. The system continuously removes fine particles, dissolved gases (like CO2, H2S, and N2), and pathogens while re-oxygenating the water – all with minimal energy and chemical use. VAL AQUA is now also being applied as a sustainable solution for seawater pre-treatment in desalination plants, where its robustness and compact footprint are major assets.
VAL INDUS – Efficient treatment for industrial wastewater
Since 2020, VAL INDUS has been helping a wide range of industries improve the way they treat their wastewater. Using an innovative vertical vacuum system, it efficiently separates unwanted substances from water while keeping energy use low. The process generates highly concentrated sludge, making it easier and more cost-effective to handle. Compared to traditional solutions, VAL INDUS offers significant savings, requires less space, and delivers a simpler, more robust approach to water treatment.
VFF (VAL Foam Fractionation) – Targeting PFAS and micropollutants
The VFF module (for VAL Foam Fractionation) is designed to address the challenge of PFAS and other micropollutants. By enhancing the VAL system with a foam fractionation process under vacuum, the VFF concentrates and extracts ultra-fine pollutants that are otherwise difficult to remove.
