Hydrovolta NV was established in Leuven, Belgium in 2016 with one objective: develop a high-recovery alternative to conventional high-waste treatment for difficult groundwater. SonixED™ was the result — a patented combination of electrodialysis reversal and ultrasound, developed through long-term institutional research partnerships. Patent granted 2021. EIC Accelerator €2.2M.
George Brik and Yousef Yousef founded Hydrovolta NV in May 2016 in Leuven, Belgium. George brings over 25 years of industrial water engineering experience across Europe and the Middle East, specialising in advanced membrane architectures, electrodialysis systems, and high-purity water treatment.
SonixED™ was developed through a sustained research collaboration with VITO (the Flemish Institute for Technological Research) and a broader network of high-level institutional research partners including CNR and others. Following eight years of rigorous laboratory validation, the foundational process patent was granted in 2021.
Supported by a €2.2M deep-tech development grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, Hydrovolta now operates active projects in Morocco and Australia, with pipeline development in Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Brine valorization is confirmed as a core element of the R&D portfolio and commercial roadmap, with the Morocco deployment combining SonixED™ desalination and downstream brine valorization in a single integrated project.
Hydrovolta was founded by a water treatment practitioner with 25 years of hands-on industrial experience — not by investors or software engineers. That distinction shapes every commercial and technical decision the company makes.
25+ years of industrial water engineering experience across Europe and the Middle East. Deep expertise in membrane technology, electrodialysis, RO, and pharmaceutical-grade water systems. The technical architect of SonixED™ and the scientific driving force behind Hydrovolta. EIC Accelerator Ambassador.
Electromechanical engineer with more than 6 years at Hydrovolta. Leads the assembly of SalinBloc™ container platforms, coordinates the production team, and manages system delivery to clients. Combines technical discipline with strong operational leadership to build field-ready water treatment solutions.
More than 7 years at Hydrovolta, progressing from laboratory assistance through R&D to becoming the company's resident expert in membrane stack construction. His deep knowledge of stack architecture and assembly precision directly determines the quality and performance of every SonixED™ unit produced.
With more than 8 years at Hydrovolta, Tamara is among the company's co-creators in every meaningful sense. She manages key client relationships, oversees account administration, and holds together Hydrovolta's commercial fabric through strong communication and the deep institutional knowledge she has built over her years here.
Chemical engineer and Hydrovolta's laboratory innovation lead. Suyog's process engineering work and stack performance research significantly improve system efficiency and output quality for clients. His R&D contributions strengthen Hydrovolta's ability to extract more value from difficult water sources across varied operating conditions.
Specialises in the electrical architecture inside Hydrovolta's SalinBloc™ container systems — from wiring and control panels to automation logic and sensor integration. Ribu is at the core of keeping deployed units running reliably, and works directly with clients during on-site installation and commissioning to ensure systems are operational from day one.
Hydrovolta does not market ahead of its evidence base. The credentials below are all verifiable and specific.
The SonixED™ combination of Electrodialysis Reversal and ultrasound is protected by a granted European process patent. Not an application — a granted patent on a commercially deployed technology.
The European Innovation Council Accelerator awarded Hydrovolta €2.2M in deep-tech development funding. One of the EU’s most selective technology funding programmes. George Brik is an EIC Accelerator Ambassador.
SonixED™ was developed through sustained research collaboration with VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research) and a broader network of applied research institutions including CNR and others. Eight years of laboratory work preceded the patent and commercial deployment.
A feature on how Hydrovolta is addressing water scarcity with European-backed technology — including a walkthrough of the SalinBloc™ containerised system.
Institutional partners & backing
