Sadyt (Sociedad Anónima de Depuración y Tratamientos)

What is it? The desalination arm of Valoriza, the water, waste and environmental services division of Spanish construction giant Sacyr Vallehermeso.

What has it done? During 2008, Sadyt added the groundbreaking 200,000m3/d electrodialysis reversal desalination facility at Abrera in Spain to its reference list. It also struck gold in Australia, winning preferred bidder status on the 140,000m3/d Southern Seawater Desalination Plant in Perth along with Técnicas Reunidas. These high-profile wins were supported by further municipal and industrial contract wins in its home market, and the successful commissioning of the Skikda plant in Algeria.

Why is it shortlisted?

• Sadyt looks set to win its first major contract outside its own timezone, securing preferred bidder status on the 140,000m3/d Southern Seawater Desalination Plant in Perth, Australia. This has catapulted the company into the premier league of Spanish desalination firms competing internationally.

• Sadyt has not lost sight of its roots, and kept up momentum closer to home, winning the 55,000m3/d SWRO plant at Mijas in Spain, while working on the construction of its 500,000m3/d backlog of projects in Algeria at Skikda, Beni Saf and Tlemcen-Hounaine.

• Sadyt's achievements came in a turbulent year in which parent company Sacyr Vallehermoso came under severe financial pressure. Sadyt's commendable resilience shows that it is both willing and able to seize international business opportunities outside its traditional comfort zone.