A South West manufacturer of water treatment technology has been highlighted as an example of what can be achieved from a base in the region as the business gears up to expand its product line while continuing to win new export contracts.
Quantum Filtration Medium – which is headquartered in Vasse, with a manufacturing plant in Collie and utilising 100 per cent local raw mineral resources – has recently secured major new contracts to export its in-demand DMI-65 advanced water filtration media overseas.
Recent contracts include with a major mine in Peru, a blower and pump manufacturer in China, and a Cairo government holding company.
Quantum Filtration Medium managing director Clive Hawkes said the company had opened a new lab in Collie, employing a full-time chemical engineer, with the assistance of a grant from the State Government’s Collie Futures Small Grants Program.
The company’s in-demand DMI-65 advanced water filtration product – an advanced oxidation catalytic media – removes heavy metals such as iron, manganese, arsenic and other heavy metals from ground and industrial water, making it safe for drinking and clean for reuse.
Quantum Filtration Medium general manager James Glaskin said the company continued to enter new international markets from the head office in the South West.
“In our 21st year, we’ve established ourselves with the help of Austrade and the South West Development Commission in 65 countries,” Mr Glaskin said.
“Most recently, with the assistance of Austrade and the South West Development Commission, we have secured a direct supply of our DMI-65 filter media to one of the largest copper mines in the world.
“Southern Peru Copper Corporation uses DMI-65 to remove iron and arsenic from its drinking water source.”
Mr Glaskin said the South West corner of Western Australia was a great place in which to do business with the rest of the world.
“We’re really happy to expand and stay in the South West, and not move manufacturing overseas,” Mr Glaskin said.
“We are a very unique business with a very unique product. The raw minerals we use, comes from the South West. The technology and manufacturing methods have been developed here in the South West. The final product is exported to water authorities in every continent and is used by companies like Coca-Cola, GE, ITOCHU Chemicals and Burns & McDonnell. Huon Aquaculture also uses our state-of-the-art product.
“We have successful installations at the St John of God Bunbury Hospital and participated in the South West Development Commission’s advanced manufacturing round table meeting with Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan.”
SWDC has a contract with Austrade to deliver TradeStart services in the South West. Through this arrangement, SWDC’s TradeStart team has helped grow Quantum Filtration Medium from a start-up to a company now exporting around the world.
SWDC chief executive officer Mellisa Teede, who is leading efforts to build the case to establish an advanced manufacturing hub in Bunbury-Geographe, congratulated Quantum Filtration Medium.
“What a great South West success story,” Ms Teede said.
“We congratulate the team at Quantum Filtration Medium on their achievements, including expanding itself further in the China marketplace and making inroads into Egypt for the first time.
“The South West is well-placed for industry to grow through competitive advantages such as unique natural resources and a port to export product to the world.
“Companies like Quantum Filtration Medium are proof of what can be achieved from the South West of Western Australia – and we hope to see more of it as Austrade, SWDC and the State Government continue to support industry to grow and support jobs creation.”
