Your arrival at Seawards marks a strategic turning point. How do you see the transition from lab R&D to the installation of the demonstrator on-site ?
My industrial background allows me to approach this phase with confidence. Transitioning from R&D to an operational prototype is a crucial step that requires many adaptations. Although we are still in the R&D phase, my role is to anticipate future challenges and ensure a smooth transition. Beyond the technical aspects, it’s a collective achievement. Every team member is fully invested in this project, which is meaningful to us all.
What are the main technical challenges for successfully deploying the demonstrator at the Grand Port Maritime of Marseille?
The main challenge is scaling up from a lab prototype to a fully autonomous system. The complexity lies in making it work on a larger scale. Our goals are ambitious, and while we won’t achieve them all right away, we know where we’re headed. Providing access to clean water for everyone is what motivates us to overcome obstacles and excel in our field.
How does your experience in industrial R&D and managing cross-functional teams help you in this phase of the prototype’s implementation?
My role is to bring my experience to the collective project. At Seawards, each team member is here by choice, with strong commitment. While I’m here to guide and advise, there’s no need to motivate anyone. The team knows why they’re here, much like a football team in the World Cup final. Every setback is an opportunity to improve, and each step teaches us how to move forward.
How does this demonstration phase represent a collective victory for Seawards?
This demonstration will be more than a victory—it will mark the true birth of Seawards. Installing the prototype in Marseille is not easy, but we have everything in place to succeed. Even though failure is possible, the team’s commitment remains absolute. We embrace uncertainty while giving our best, and this makes our approach so strong.
How does this new phase strengthen the confidence of our partners and investors?
Our investors believed in us from the start, based on our vision and promises. By coming to Pertuis and meeting our engineers, they saw the tangible progress behind our ideas. The installation of the prototype in Marseille is another step towards proving the viability of our project. Their investment is a gamble, but they share our enthusiasm and believe in Seawards’ ability to democratize access to clean water.
How does the demonstrator contribute to your objectives, and what are the next milestones to reach by 2025?
The demonstrator is the first tangible proof of our technology. It will validate everything we’ve developed so far and demonstrate that our solution can sustainably produce potable water. This is the first step in a process that will continue to improve. The next phase will involve industrialization and the deployment of multiple desalination units. With each step, we get closer to our ultimate goal. Along with Hubert and Hervé, we continually adapt our approach to meet challenges and keep moving forward.