Recently, US President Joe Biden confused Cambodia for Colombia as he thanked the latter’s prime minister for an ASEAN conference hosted in the Southeast Asian country. They may all be potayto-potahto for Biden; but for wastewater treatment solution Fluence (ASX: FLC), the two countries represent distinct projects that are bringing in the money, with Cambodia just joining the list.

After scoring contracts in Taiwan and Korea, Fluence has secured another win outside China. The Company has been awarded its first industrial water contract in Cambodia. As part of the agreement valued at about $700k, Fluence will employ its Nirobox solution for Cambodian manufacturer Kubon BioTech.

The country is known for its two distinct seasons, dry and wet, lasting about six months each. As of November, it has entered its dry season, which usually lasts till April. It typically leaves Cambodia grappling with water shortages. Not anymore (for some part), with Fluence to the rescue. 

CEO and Managing Director, Tom Pokorsky, shared, “We have previously noted our growing pipeline of projects in Asia, in particular outside China. This first industrial water contract in Cambodia reinforces our belief that customers are increasingly viewing Fluence as a comprehensive supplier of solutions to meet all of their water challenges. Coming on the heels of our recently announced wins in Taiwan and Korea, the Kubon contract is yet another example of ourstrong Asia pipeline materializing into signed contracts.”

Nirobox is Fluence’s trademark smart packaged water solution. It comprises compac, preassembled plants that can be used to desalinate wastewater, be it brackish or seawater. It’s an end-to-end solution, covering all stages from pre-treatment solids removal to post-treatment chlorination. 

Cambodia, though bereft of rainfall, is brimming with groundwater sources. That’s why Fluence will deploy its Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) system. It will deliver 1.2 million litres per day of pure water for industrial and drinking water needs at Kubon’s plant, located approximately 55 km outside the coastal city of Sihanoukville. Fluence will oversee installation and commissioning, which is anticipated to occur during Q1 2023. 

That’s not the only venture Fluence has in Cambodia. In Sihanoukville, it is constructing its large-scale (and allegedly the world’s largest) membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) wastewater treatment plant. Commissioning is due to be completed by Q2 2023. Once in function, the plant will offer wastewater treatment capacity sufficient to serve the treatment needs of approximately 160,000 people.

Pokorsky added, “We are also pleased to see the great progress on our latest MABR plant in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Once commissioned, it will join two other working plants in the city which will collectively serve the daily wastewater treatment needs of approximately 260,000 people.” 

Just last week, Fluence had announced the win of two contracts in Taiwan and Korea along with its new growth strategy. The Company had its eyes set on Southeast Asia, clearly for good reason. With the Cambodian projects locked and loaded, what country will Fluence hit next?