The 2020 IHZ Innovation Award goes to SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG
An optical measuring system for monitoring the scrubber wash water on cargo ships impressed the jury: Based in Ennetbürgen, Switzerland, SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG wins this year’s IHZ Innovation Award with its ScrubberGuard.
The Central Switzerland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHZ) has selected SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG from Ennetbürgen as the winner of its Innovation Award this year. With the ScrubberGuard, SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG combines proven individual components in an innovative all in-one system that has been uniquely fine-tuned for use at sea. The system checks wash water from scrubbers for traces of oil as well as the turbidity, pH value and temperature of the water before it is discharged into the sea. This ensures compliance with the limit values set by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and plays an important role in protecting the environment during deep sea shipping. Development of the ScrubberGuard started back in 2012; the system was then developed further with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) within the framework of a bachelor thesis. The first delivery was in December 2018. The device is characterized by its non-contact freefall measurement system, which makes sure that the optics are always clean. An ingenious system for eliminating air bubbles was also developed, which ensures consistently reliable measurement values. To guarantee maximum operational safety, the system is recalibrated automatically without any additional maintenance work being required. All of these characteristics are unique worldwide.
The development of a complete system that considers the diverse requirements of the shipping industry across the world’s oceans impressed the jury’, said president of the jury Hans Wicki. He is looking forward to honouring the company at the IHZ Innovation Award ceremony on 26 November 2020.
Based in the municipality of Ennetbürgen in the canton of Nidwalden, SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG is managed by Markus Stolz and employs around 85 employees in Ennetbürgen and a subsidiary in Germany. The company was founded in 1946 by Willy and Paula Sigrist and is now owned by ‘Vereinigung BIZUN’. The company produces high-quality optical measuring systems that are used in the fields of water, food and drink, and industrial processes as well as traffic and the environment.
Supported by UBS Switzerland AG and Luzerner Kantonalbank AG, the IHZ Innovation Award will be presented for the thirty-fourth time on 26 November 2020. The award ceremony will likely be held in Ennetbürgen
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