Alfa Laval showcases PureBallast3 Ultra reactor for first time at Marintec China

Alfa Laval’s public unveiling of PureBallast 3 Ultra at Marintec China 2025 in Shanghai this week introduces the maritime industry to the compact, innovative core of the next-generation system designed to make ballast water management simpler and easier to achieve.

The system reflects years of experience and customer insights, evolving from over 10,000 PureBallast installations delivered since the technology was first introduced in partnership with Wallenius Water over two decades ago.

With production at Alfa Laval’s factory in Qingdao, China, the regional presence ensures shorter lead times and smoother coordination with shipyards in China and across the Asia-Pacific region. Deliveries started in August 2025, and with a growing orderbook, PureBallast 3 Ultra is rapidly gaining traction in the market.

“We are pleased to present the PureBallast 3 Ultra reactor for the first time here at Marintec,” says Anna Wieslander (pictured, left), Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. “Its development is the result of targeted R&D and close dialogue with our customers. We are here to stay and believe this solution is exactly what the market needs, both in terms of environmental technology and in terms of serviceability to ensure BWMS compliance.

“By investing in this new technology and strengthening our footprint in Qingdao, we are ensuring that our customers have the support, proximity and performance they need for maximum performance and achievable compliance.”

PureBallast 3 Ultra introduces several design improvements that directly support shipyards’ requirements for faster, more efficient installation. The system’s ultra-compact design significantly reduces the footprint and provides greater flexibility for placement on board. Its optimized system integration and minimized piping requirements streamline the installation process, lowering overall complexity and total installed cost.

The system also features an integrated Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) function that reduces both maintenance needs and operational downtime. All PureBallast 3 Ultra systems are connectivity-ready, enabling remote monitoring and more optimized service support throughout the vessel’s lifetime. While shipyards benefit from a system engineered for efficient installation, shipowners benefit from dependable compliance and easier operation.

In recent years, the ballast water management market has seen limited technical innovation, even as shipyards and shipowners continue to require systems that simplify design, installation, and operation while meeting regulations. Recognizing this need, Alfa Laval made a strategic decision to invest in a next generation system that delivers meaningful improvements for both shipbuilders and vessel operators.

While other players may be shifting focus, Alfa Laval is leveraging nearly two decades of proven experience to support vessel operators throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets. This expertise has been essential to shaping a system design that is both compact and robust, delivering high treatment performance across all water conditions while supporting ship operators, in maintaining manageable energy consumption.