HP Watermakers in recent years has introduced innovative fully automatic and interfaced marine desalination systems to the market, covering a production range from 100 to 10,000 lt of fresh water per hour.
With a network of 56 distributors around the world, the company exports 80% of its production, consolidating in markets in Europe, the United States, Asia-Pacific and South Africa. The company’s success is linked to a precise strategy: controlling the entire production chain, manufacturing 80% of the components in-house. This approach ensures quality, reliability and faster delivery times, reducing supply chain risks.
Reverse osmosis desalination
Reverse osmosis technology has been around for over 40 years, but in that time it has evolved and its operation has become easier. Reverse osmosis is an advanced boat water filtration process that makes it possible to obtain fresh water from seawater.
The system takes seawater and compresses it through special osmotic membranes, which act like a selective filter: they let through only water molecules while retaining salts, impurities, and other unwanted particles. This method represents one of the most efficient water purification technologies, thanks to the use of membranes made of polyamide, a material chosen for its high-water permeability and ability to block ions and contaminants.
Manual and automatic watermakers: efficiency and customization
HP Watermakers offers a wide range of manual and automatic watermakers designed to adapt to different on-board needs.
• Manual and semiautomatic desalinators: require constant operator intervention to regulate pressure and manage membrane flushing. They are suitable for those seeking an economical and robust solution but require more attention and maintenance.
• Automatic desalinators: equipped with electronic pressure regulation, these models simplify operation, optimizing consumption and ensuring that water production is always efficient thanks to RP TRONIC technology.
“The company made a field choice in 2008, abandoned the use of standard membranes on the market to have them made according to our requirements,” explains Gianni Zucco co-founder and sales manager of HP Watermakers, “not because of a commercial issue, but because of a technical issue: we are able to use less energy with these membranes. For example, our HP KILO model is capable of producing 100 lt/h with a consumption of only 0.9 kW/h, making it ideal for small and medium-sized boats.”
RP TRONIC: the heart of automation
One of the patents introduced by HP Watermakers is the RP TRONIC system, which redefines the concept of an automatic watermaker.
Seawater pressure varies with salinity and temperature, directly affecting the quality of freshwater production. In traditional systems, this requires continuous manual intervention to prevent membrane malfunction. RP TRONIC, on the other hand, manages these parameters automatically, maintaining a constant pressure of 60 bar.
This system enables fully automatic operation (no need for manual adjustments), optimization of the desalinator’s yield due to dynamic pressure management, and longer life of the osmotic membranes, reducing maintenance costs.
“RP TRONIC is a system that sets us apart from all competitors. It has been a patented system for more than 20 years and is truly automatic, with the ability to fully interface with the on-board navigation systems and the Internet. The process is simple and reliable: the marine desalination system becomes an onboard appliance,” Zucco concludes.
HP GENIUS: from sea to glass, without plastic
HP Watermakers has developed HP GENIUS, a patented system that simplifies the management of water on board by purifying it from the presence of any bacteria and remineralizing it so that it is ready for human consumption.
Water produced by reverse osmosis technology, once stored in tanks, can lose its hygienic characteristics. HP GENIUS intervenes with a 3-step process:
- Ultrafiltration: removes impurities, heavy metals and bacteria.
- Sterilization with silver ions: prevents bacterial growth in the final part of the pipeline between the system and the tap.
- Remineralization: restores essential minerals to the water, balancing the pH.
The system makes it possible to obtain natural, cold or sparkling water by eliminating the need to carry and store plastic bottles on board, for a more environmentally friendly boat and greater boating convenience by freeing the boat from the need to refill water.
HP BiBi and Part-NET: remote control of the watermaker
One of the most innovative aspects of HP Watermakers watermakers is their remote connection and control capability. The company has developed two advanced solutions for remote plant monitoring and management: HP BiBi and Part-NET.
HP BiBi is an Internet-based control system for automatic watermakers designed to provide comprehensive and intuitive management. Through a cloud interface accessible from a PC, tablet, or smartphone, HP BiBi allows real-time monitoring of the watermaker’s operating status, receiving automatic notifications and alerts in case of anomalies, remotely activating, shutting down, or resetting the system, and sending diagnostic reports directly to HP technical support. With this system, downtime is reduced and maintenance is optimized.
Part-NET is an interface system that directly connects the watermaker to the navigation plotters of major marine brands (Raymarine, Garmin, Furuno, Simrad, and B&G). Directly on the plotter screen the status of the desalinator is displayed and operating parameters can be easily managed without having to access the engine room. This integration into the vessel’s electronic system implements safety and ease of use.
HP SCA DOUBLE
HP Watermakers has designed HP SCA DOUBLE, a watermaker with two independent units, designed for those seeking maximum efficiency and safety (each unit operates independently, ensuring operational continuity even in case of breakdown or maintenance). Consumption is optimized as both units are activated only when needed.
This system, designed specifically for medium and large yachts and ships, is fully compatible with RP TRONIC, BiBi and Part-NET. Its dimensions are compact, with a reduction in box length from 1,100 mm to 800 mm.
The HP SCA DOUBLE was premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024.
The future of desalination
HP Watermakers continues to look ahead with new solutions that are increasingly sustainable and integrated. In addition to the development of advanced technologies, the company is working on new strategic partnerships, such as the “Together We Boat” project, an alliance of marine industry leaders to offer integrated energy and water management solutions.
Future innovations under development include even greener systems with energy-efficient technologies, greater interconnections, new artificial intelligence capabilities for predictive maintenance, and even more widespread support (thanks to market expansion with new locations and international partnerships).
Founded in 1995, HP Watermakers is now, as it completes its first 30 years, a leading manufacturer of watermakers for boats, yachts and ships. It is headquartered in Zibido San Giacomo (Milan, Italy), where it has a 3,000 sq.m facility for the design, production and testing of its systems. Since its inception, the company has focused on technological innovation by developing increasingly advanced solutions to make freshwater production more efficient, automated and sustainable.
