As an integral part of the Green Denmark in Southeast Asia community, we aim to highlight the latest developments, insights and forecasts from leading Danish companies and solutions providers present on the Southeast Asian markets.
In our "Peers on the ground" article series we zoom in on market expectations in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the following, we share insights from Aquaporin, a global water technology company dedicated to overcoming one of the world’s most pressing challenges: water scarcity.
What are the immediate effects of Covid-19 on your activities in Southeast Asia?
In general, many projects and product development activities have been put on hold or slowed down due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Some of our customers have had to re-prioritize their projects after being hit by the pandemic. The wastewater treatment market is the most challenged amongst our targeted market segments. Nevertheless, recently we can see things are starting up again and there are no signs of a longer term slow-down. The Food and Beverage (F&B) market has overcome Covid-19 restrictions and is now moving fast to prepare new products to meet consumers demand. Aquaporin’s forward osmosis technology has attracted attention in SEA's F&B market. This is a cold concentration technology that can improve the organoleptic profile in the liquid food concentrate.
How has the crisis affected the way you operate and act in Southeast Asia?
Online meetings and virtual workshops/seminars have become the new norms. More frequent communication with customers/partners/suppliers, either by phone, email or even WhatsApp is great addition when project progress needs to be closely tracked. These work well when we deal with existing connections. For new customers and partners, face-to-face meeting is still the best way to build rapport and trust. As the travel restrictions may last for months or more, to penetrate the SEA market during the pandemic, it is even more important to have local boots-on-the-ground.
Do you see immediate opportunities arising in light of the current crisis?
Globally, increased focus on hygiene and a general trend of home improvements (since people are currently spending more time at home) leads to big opportunities in point-of-use water treatment systems. With economy downturn in most of the SEA countries, affordable and effective point-of-use water systems are in-demand to supply safe drinking water to households. Medical markets and activities are going full steam ahead, especially with opportunities for home treatment to avoid placing patients in clinics/hospitals. There is huge demand for home dialysis treatment and here the Aquaporin Inside® Forward Osmosis membrane is part of the solution.
Looking beyond COVID-19, which lasting change or new trends do you foresee within your commercial focus areas in Southeast Asia?
The increased focus on hygiene will continue to positively impact the water market in general.
What is your best advice for new players eyeing markets in Southeast Asia at this stage?
Partnering up with strong local players has always been a great advice. Even more so with travel restrictions and the current volatility.
Get in touch for more information about Aquaporin:
Guofei Sun
Deputy Manager at Aquaporin Asia
Email: gsu@aquaporin.com
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