Essex KTP with water purification company rated outstanding

A knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) which has created a pioneering monitoring system for the water purification industry has been given a top rating by Innovate UK.

The KTP between the University of Essex and Colchester-based Lubron has been praised for the strength of its collaboration, its innovation, and its impact on best practice, which could see the new monitoring tool used across the industry to reduce failures and unplanned downtime.

The partnership, which was rated ‘outstanding’ by Innovate UK, brought together academic researchers and engineers at Lubron to improve the monitoring and maintenance of complex equipment systems.

Lubron provides specialist water treatment, purification, and compliance solutions to commercial and industrial organisations across the UK.

Rather than relying on traditional approaches, the collaboration with Essex focused on applying advanced data-driven methods to improve how performance issues are identified and managed.

Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, the team developed a system capable of monitoring water treatment equipment in real time and identifying early signs of faults or performance issues.

The project focused on turning research into a practical industrial solution, with the technology tested using real operational data.

Essex PhD student and research engineer, Aryan Morteza, who has worked as the KTP associate for the project, said: “The work with Lubron has been an excellent example of how academic research and industry expertise can come together to solve a real operational challenge.

“For me, the most rewarding part was seeing the project  reduce unnecessary engineering visits to sites by giving earlier visibility of machine performance.

"The KTP shows how mathematics, AI and machine learning can create real industrial value when they are connected to a clear understanding of the physical system, the sensor data and the way cyber-physical systems operate in practice.”

Holly Leonard, Head of Business Engagement at the University of Essex, said: “We’re incredibly proud that our project with Lubron has been recognised as ‘outstanding’ by Innovate UK. At Essex, we are committed to translating world-leading research into tangible impact through programmes like KTP.

"Collaborations like this enable our academics to share their expertise, and to learn alongside industry partners, delivering mutual benefits.

"By bringing together talented people from academia and businesses like Lubron, we can drive meaningful innovation, support business growth, and deliver tangible benefits for the UK economy.”

Mark Hadaway, Lubron Managing Director, added: "The KTP with the University of Essex is the culmination of years of hard work. From the initial discussions on how we can integrate new technology into the business, to a real life, working, predictive maintenance system.

"For Lubron the KTP represents only the start of the journey and to be recognised as outstanding is something that we can all be proud of."

The project was supported by an academic team from Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering which included Dr Hossein Anisi, Dr Faiyaz Doctor and Dr Morteza Varasteh.

KTPs are run by Innovate UK and bring knowledge bases such as universities together with businesses and organisations to come up with innovative solutions that transform practices and systems across industries.