DEKONTA, a.s. is a private Czech company with international qualifications, founded in 1992. Petr Mothejl is one of the co-owners. Over the years, the company has become one of the leading environmental businesses in Central and Eastern Europe, offering a comprehensive package of environmental services. The company relies on innovation and, therefore, engages in Czech-Israeli research cooperation.
Mr Mothejl, the name of your company suggests that you deal with decontamination. However, I know that the scope of your activities also includes foreign development cooperation projects, for which you received an award within the framework of social responsibility last year. What is the essence of these projects?
The subject of DEKONTA’s activities is a wide range of ecological services. In addition to the remediation of contaminated sites, we also eliminate the consequences of environmental accidents, supply equipment for astewater and air treatment, operate hazardous waste treatment centres in the Czech Republic and many other countries, clean industrial have long been applying for foreign development cooperation projects focused on ecology. For example, we have contributed to solving the most serious contamination problems in Moldova, Vietnam and Mongolia. In the form of demonstration projects, we have introduced effi cient yet inexpensive and low-cost wastewater treatment technologies to some developing countries, such as Cambodia and Bosnia – for this very project we received the award you mentioned.
Your company is actively involved in Czech-Israeli business cooperation, including research projects. What is your experience, and how can you draw on Israeli innovations?
We have successfully implemented several commercial projects in Israel. These were based on the transfer of Czech know-how in the field of remediation of contaminated sites. Our research collaboration with Israeli partners has focused on three very different areas: the catalytic decomposition of methane to hydrogen and carbon, the treatment of wastewater containing complex contaminant mixtures, and the development of a ventilation system for chemical protective suits. Israel is undoubtedly famous for technological innovations in many areas. However, the self-confidence and pragmatism of Israeli companies would also be very inspiring for us.
Israel has extensive experience in water management. Is it possible to use this experience for the needs of Czech self-governance in times of drought, and how?
Unfortunately, as a landlocked country, we cannot benefit from the technologies that Israel has developed for the desalination of seawater. However, due to climate change, other innovations of Israeli origin are becoming increasingly popular in the Czech Republic, namely drip irrigation, thanks to which it is possible to reduce water consumption for irrigation significantly. One of the research topics that we deal with at DEKONTA is drip irrigation using treated wastewater.
Exploration and remediation of contaminated sites – so-called brownfields – is not just about removing environmental threats. What opportunities can the use of these localities provide for the further development of municipalities and cities?
As a result of construction activities in the Czech Republic, a landscape of thirty football fields disappears every day. When the existing brownfield site can be cleaned and reused, the benefit is the revitalisation of an ugly part of the city and the rescue of a piece of undeveloped land.
Thanks for the interview.
Text: redakce
Photo: archiv Dekonta, a.s.
