In the water sector we can and must learn from each other in other to create the synergy and creativity required for the development of solutions for the immense global water challenges. To enable that, it is important that the scientists and specialists from industry, public water companies and governments are facilitated in meeting each other in a setting where they can discuss and present relevant topics. IWC is an important facilitator of such events. I am therefore pleased to be part of the IWC board.
Johannes Boonstra (1969) is trained as an environmental biotechnologist (BSc.) and has worked as researcher, technologist, business developer and managing director/board member. In his career he has been responsible for government grants, license and contract management, management of research teams and international commercial cooperation.
From 1992 till 2003 he has worked in several management positions (research, technology and business development) at Paques bv (situated in Balk, the Netherlands). Paques is a global market leader in biotechnological waste water and gas purification systems.
In 2003 Boonstra joined Wetsus (situated in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands) as member of the executive board and caries responsibility for all financial, juridical and organizational issues. Wetsus, European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, is a facilitating intermediary for trend-setting knowhow development. The inspiring and multidisciplinary collaboration between more than 100 global companies and 20 European research institutes in Wetsus results in innovations that contribute significantly to the solution of the global water problems.