As General Manager of EPOC Enviro, Jay Howland has been central to the commercial development of SAFF® technology as the company has expanded from start up to global pioneer and leader in the PFAS remediation business.
The Engineering Foundation
Jay has built his career around engineering-led problem solving. As an Engineering Graduate from Newcastle University, Jay enjoyed an interesting career trajectory spanning design optimisation of underground mining equipment and hydrocarbon storage and transfer engineering, before joining EPOC’s parent company, OPEC Systems.
Jay helped grow the company’s engineering capabilities, managing compliance and remediation programs for multiple large scale rail refuelling infrastructure projects. By 2017, Jay was promoted to General Manager of the newly renamed Energy Division, where he oversaw national operations and the management of significant Department of Defence fuel system compliance upgrade programs.
Bringing the Engineering Foundation to PFAS remediation
By 2020, the business had entered a pivotal phase. SAFF® PFAS remediation technology, which had been developed and proven by the company some two years earlier at Oakey Army Aviation Centre (QLD), was ready for commercial deployment. However, the original prototype system required significant engineering refinement to reduce its footprint and transform it into a scalable, manufacturing-ready system.
A dual GM appointment across EPOC Enviro and Energy for Jay coincided with the commercialisation of SAFF® technology into the containerised system that we recognise today.
This transition unfolded alongside the challenges of COVID, requiring intense change management as well as the ascent of a steep learning curve into environmental remediation, which Jay describes as the equivalent to learning a new language.
“The delivery of the very first containerised SAFF® system was both an amazing opportunity and a technical challenge, requiring commercialisation beyond proof of concept as demonstrated at Oakey. The successful delivery of SAFF001 was the culmination of entrepreneurial bravery, tireless research and development, scientific innovation, and a fearless engineering and delivery team,” he said.
“Condensing this process into a single shipping container ready for production was an engineering feat. However, we were fortunate to have a client who believed in the technology, and proud to deliver our first containerised SAFF® to Scandinavia under the stewardship of our Swedish distributor Envytech AB.”
Where to now for EPOC Enviro?
Today, with some 45 SAFF systems in operation across the globe, eight systems in the production pipeline and more than 1.6 billion litres of water successfully remediated, Jay couldn’t be prouder of the team and what they have achieved.
“The depth of talent within our workplace is phenomenal and spans both the technical and commercial realms. It’s especially rewarding to see the pace of innovation – from R&D to manufacturing and full commercialisation – all contributing to position us at the forefront globally,” he said.
Looking ahead, Jay remains energised by the opportunity to introduce SAFF® technology to new markets, expand distributor networks, and to continue to grow its impact worldwide.