Victor Redko
Building Water Treatment Engineering from First Principles
Where It All Started
My journey into water treatment was not planned.
In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet system, industrial supply chains across Eastern Europe stopped functioning. Factories that had relied on centralized distribution suddenly found themselves without access to essential materials.
At that time, my business was focused on supplying industrial chemicals. During one of my visits to a power plant in Ukraine, I encountered a problem that would change my direction. The plant had a critical shortage of ion-exchange resins.
Until that moment I had never fully understood how central water treatment is like to industrial processes.
That conversation became the starting point.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
After returning to London, I began searching for suppliers. This led me to Purolite International.
Shortly after, I met Edgar Berreby, the Vice-President of Purolite International Ltd. That meeting defined everything that followed. He explained something simple, but fundamental:
Water treatment is not about selling products. It is about engineering solutions.
That idea changed my thinking.
Over time Edgar became not only a partner, but a mentor.
From Trade to Engineering
With this new understanding we began moving from trading to engineering.
We started building technical capability:
• hiring engineers
• studying technologies
• organizing technical seminars
• working directly with industrial clients
At that time there were no engineering companies in Lithuania focused on industrial water treatment.
We were building something that did not yet exist locally.
The First Real Test - Kalnapilis
Our first major test came during a project at the Kalnapilis Brewery (Lithuania).
Everything was installed. But during commissioning, the system did not deliver the required water quality.
We had one night to fix the problem. After hours of analysis, we discovered a critical mistake in resin preparation. We corrected it, restarted the system - and by morning, it worked.
That night defined us. We stopped being suppliers.
We became an engineering company.
Learning to See Opportunities Differently
In 1999 I traveled to Vietnam without a clear business plan. Initially, I saw no opportunity. The energy sector - our focus - was limited.
But instead of leaving, I studied the country differently.
By analyzing national development plans I identified a rapidly growing sector: textile production. That insight led to meetings, projects, and ultimately: five implemented industrial solutions.
That experience changed my approach permanently.
Opportunities are not always where you expect them.
Building an Engineering Company
As markets evolved, we made a strategic decision: not to sell equipment - but to deliver solutions.
We developed:
• engineering capabilities
• laboratory analysis
• system design
• automation
• production
We have built a full-cycle engineering company.
At the same time, we began developing our own product ecosystem.
Creating Brands with Meaning
Every product we created had a purpose. Every brand had a meaning.
AquaHard. Engineering systems for industrial water treatment
JurbyFlow. Membrane-based water treatment solutions
A-STREAM. Modular clarification technology
ROShell. Reverse osmosis pressure vessel systems
AquaShell. High flow filtration systems
JurbySoft. Chemical solutions for water treatment systems
ROptima. Chemical solutions for membrane systems
ReDiant. Heating system chemical solutions
ReLevant. Biofilm & surface protection solutions
Each brand reflects a different layer of the same philosophy.
From Engineering to Industry
Over time we moved beyond engineering projects. We developed our own production:
• equipment
• components
• chemical solutions
What started as problem-solving became a structured industrial platform.
Challenges and Reality
Like any long-term business, the journey was not linear. There were external pressures, regulatory challenges, and periods of uncertainty.
Despite this one principle remained constant: all activities were conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Our work was always based on engineering integrity and professional responsibility.
What Defines My Approach
Looking back, several principles define everything we built:
Solve real problems, not theoretical ones.
Think of systems, not of products.
Take responsibility - engineering means accountability.
Learn continuously - every project is a lesson.
Adapt - markets change - thinking must evolve.
Today
Today this journey represents more than a company.
It represents:
• decades of engineering experience
• international projects
• product development
• and continuous innovation
What started as a response to a single problem became a lifelong direction.
Engineering is not about equipment.
It is about understanding how systems work - and making them better.
