Katadyn cleans the key to life: the importance of portable water treatment in the field cannot be understated. Hydration systems where the soldier carries his own supply solve the short-term drinking requirements, but when a soldier or unit gets separated or is on an extended operation an open road back to the supply truck for a refill is an unthinkable prospect. (What's Up?).

Military logisticians have, for years, pondered over the problem of delivering fresh, potable water to the troops on the front line. The military issue canteen suffices to get the soldier from the foxhole to objective A, but under the stressful combat environment (or even when on patrol) that canteen needs a constant source of fresh water for replenishment.

Local water supplies are very often of questionable quality, while rivers and ponds are even less attractive owing to a silty appearance and the possibility (more often probability) of health risks from cysts or bacteria.

Made in Switzerland

Entering the water treatment fray in 1928, Katadyn is now a group of four companies that currently lead the portable water treatment market with a presence in over 50 countries. The company's product portfolio is a virtual flood of water purification systems, including water filters, chemical products (tablets, liquids, powders) for water disinfection and conservation and, through acquisition and fresh on Katadyn's product list, portable desalinators.

Katadyn stands firm behind the strong Swiss tradition with its belief that "Made in Switzerland" is still a value-added asset for the company.

It is with this conviction that Katadyn became a pioneer in the portable water filter market -- and the same belief that maintains the standards that ensure the quality of each of the company's life-sustaining products.

Three water treatment technologies sparkle within the Katadyn product line. The first being water filtration of muddy water, an area where the legendary Combi stands proud. The Combi was designed for rugged applications, having few moving parts and an easy maintenance cycle. Its carbon and ceramic filters eliminate bacteria and reduce both chemicals and bad tastes from unclean, even murky water. The system uses ceramic depth filtration and provides for up to 50,000 litres of potable water (during Combi lifetime). All contaminants over 0.2 microns are actively removed. The Combi can even be used in very murky water, an example of Katadyn's foresight -- how many times does one find oneself standing next to a crystal-clear stream when thirsty?

The Combi is effective against bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, silt and fungi, and reduces iodine, chlorine, pesticides, some radioactive fallout particles and viruses attached to particles larger than 0.2 microns.

Katadyn's Pocket Filter is a smaller version (26 x 7 cm) and utilizes ceramic depth filtration to accomplish its cleansing. The heart of the Pocket is the ceramic filter which will also separate down to 0.2 microns, a level at which all disease causing pathogens are removed. Katadyn's ceramic filters can be cleaned in the field and are reusable for the life of the unit.

Disinfection and desalination are the remaining two technologies in the water purification arena, and Katadyn offers a selection of products for both requirements.

Micropur is a water disinfection product based on the bacteriostatic and bactericide effect of silver ions. Just two hours after a water container or system treatment Micropur silver ions attach themselves to the cell membranes of any micro-organisms and prevent growth, leaving the system free from water germs, algae and odors. The treatment lasts for up to six months.

Entering the desalination market with the acquisition of the Pur line of products in June 2001, Katadyn has developed and refined its Survivor series, a collection of portable pumps that operate through a reverse osmosis method. Of the series, the Survivor 0.6 is thought to be the world's smallest desalinator, weighing in at only 1.13 kg. The US Coast Guard, among other military units, presently uses the Survivor series.

Katadyn products are in use with the armies of the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland,Turkey, and a host of others to include many in the Near, Middle and Far East.