International Microbial Associates And Microbe Detectives Partner To Advance Microbiological Solutions In Industrial Water And Pulp And Paper

International Microbial Associates, an Illinois-based industrial microbiological consultancy, and Microbe Detectives LLC, a Wisconsin-based pioneer in metagenomic services, recently announced a multi-year partnership. Through the partnership, the two companies will collaborate to deliver a superior diagnostic service involving industrial process water and pulp and paper microbiology.

“Slime, malodors and mysterious clumping are frequent and costly problems in industrial processes,” said Linda Robertson, Founder and President of International Microbial Associates. “As consultants we need to determine if the contamination is of microbial origin. Is the source of the microbes within the mill or in the supply chain? Could it be contaminated water? An additive? Many of the organisms causing problems are difficult to cultivate and identify using conventional techniques. Microbe Detectives’ metagenomics testing provides a critical new tool to quickly help our clients resolve costly problems, thereby minimizing downtime, rejected product, as well as repeat occurrences.”

Ms. Robertson brings over 35 years of practical problem solving experience to clients, resolving microbial slime, spoilage and odor problems in numerous industries, and consults with mills worldwide. Author of 12 patents and over 50 technical papers related to biocides and control of microbes, Linda has presented papers, webinars, and microbiology short courses in Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and the Pacific. In addition to biocides, she is involved in new product development, deposit control, water system closure, coatings, paints, and malodor control issues in finished products.

“Linda is is a world renowned industrial microbiologist,” said John Tillotson, CEO of Microbe Detectives. “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with her to drive progress, and open new windows of insight to the microbial world of industrial water and pulp and paper processes.”

Microbe Detectives will be presenting two technical presentations at WEFTEC in New Orleans on September 27 and 28 (see: https://microbedetectives.com/join-us-upcoming-presentations-trevor-ghylin/) and will be exhibiting at LuminUltra Booth 3156. We hope to see you there!

About International Microbial Associates
Linda Robertson, president of International Microbial Associates, consults with mills worldwide. A graduate of Washington State University in Microbiology, she began her career in R&D at Weyerhaeuser. In 1988, Linda joined Nalco in applied research and global technical service. Author of 12 patents and over 50 technical papers related to biocides and control of microbes, Linda has presented papers, webinars, and microbiology short courses in Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and the Pacific. In addition to biocides, she is involved in new product development, deposit control, water system closure, coatings, paints, and malodor control issues in finished products.

IMA’s consulting profile includes industrial manufacturing sites in the paper industry, waxes, pigment dispersions, oil fracking water recovery, biocide manufacturers, the US Chemical Safety Board, as well several major paper/forest products companies. IMA has worked with several start-up chemical companies seeking advice on developing new products with novel antimicrobial properties.

A member of TAPPI for over 25 years, she has served as the Microbiology and Microbial Technology Chairperson and as the USA delegate for ISO TC6/SC2 on Dairyman’s methods for microbiological testing of paper. In addition to her biocide expertise she has been involved in many early alkaline conversions, research in water system closure, odor control, Dairyman’s grades programs, pulp & paper wastewater treatment and various aspects of paper system microbial control. For more information, visit www.imicrobial.com.

About Microbe Detectives
Microbe Detectives opens a new window into the microbial world of water and wastewater systems using proprietary metagenomic and data science services. We revolutionize opportunities to mitigate risk, improve capital and operating efficiencies and validate product performance. The company was founded in 2013 by Trevor Ghylin during his PhD work in Environmental and Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Microbe Detectives was launched through the Water Council's BREW Start-up Accelerator, and is a winner of the Wisconsin Innovation Awards and Governor's Business Plan Contest. Clients include LuminUltra, CH2M, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), City of Fond du Lac, and Novozymes. For more information, visit https://microbedetectives.com/.