Gross-Wen Technologies: Revolutionizing wastewater treatment
Founded in 2014 by Drs. Martin Gross and Zhiyou Wen at Iowa State University, Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT) is a leading company in algae-based wastewater treatment. GWT’s mission is to provide an effective, reliable, and economical wastewater treatment solution that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Its innovative, patented Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB) system harnesses the power of algae to recover valuable nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater, reinventing how we view pollutants.
The RAB™ system uses less than a third of the energy of conventional nitrogen removal systems while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide from the air. This process not only provides significant cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint for municipalities and industrial clients but also produces a nutrient-rich algae biomass that can be recycled into slow-releasing fertilizer. This unique approach allows GWT to provide a rare triple-win solution: cost savings, nutrient recovery and a significant climate benefit.
Recent Innovations and Future Direction
Gross-Wen Technologies is at the forefront of the water sector, driven by a series of high-profile achievements. The company recently opened the largest algae wastewater facility in the world in Pasco, Washington, a landmark project showcasing the immense scalability of their technology. Their leadership has also been recognized on a national scale: Dr. Martin Gross was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Heartland Award winner by EY US and recognized as one of Engineering News-Record’s Top 25 Newsmakers of 2024. Additionally, Max Gangestad, COO, was named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These accolades highlight the company’s commitment to transforming the industry and underscore its role as a leader in sustainable water solutions.
WEFTEC 2025 Plans
Gross-Wen Technologies will be a key participant at WEFTEC 2025 in Chicago, exhibiting at booth #6222. You can also catch the company in the following places:
- “Leveraging Algae to Provide Cost-Effective Treatment Solutions for Your Community” workshop on Sunday, Sept. 28
- The Water Council’s panel on Breakthrough Circular Technologies to Recover & Reuse Nutrients on Monday, Sept. 29, at 3:30 p.m. in the Circular Water Economy Pavilion
- Municipal-Industrial Synergy: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 8:30 a.m.
