European CEO of the Year Awards 2026 Having perfected the art of removing air from drains to achieve a siphon effect, significantly increasing water velocity and capacity while utilising smaller pipe dimensions, Aiwell Water has established itself as a pioneer in the world of sustainable water management solutions. Its groundbreaking approach involves using valves to create a vacuum in the pipes (from 1 down to 0 bar pressure), boosting water velocity, and enabling the transport of large volumes of water through compact pipes. An international patent has followed this innovation. This, however, is just the tip of the Aiwell iceberg, as Aiwell Holding AS, its parent company, also comprises Aiwell AS and Aiwell Property AS, in addition to Aiwell Water. CEO Asle Johnsen heads up all three, and his journey with this group of companies began in the early 1990s, when obtained the patent for its first invention: the Aiwell Star. Preventing the build-up of ice on a flat roof, the Aiwell Star remains one of Aiwell AS’ best sellers to this day. The only difference is that it is today joined by 12 further patents and a range of energy-saving products covering everything from heating cables in gutters to systems for melting snow on the ground, highlighting this company’s versatility. Then, in 2012, Asle took things a step further, investing in two plots of land and establishing Aiwell Property. Work on new patents quickly followed, with Asle using the knowledge he had amassed working with siphonic drainage on flat roofs. This system, which has been around now for more than 60 years, makes the flow in the pipes siphonic instead of gravity, removing air so that the pipes are Best Sustainable Water Management Solutions CEO 2026 (Nordics): Asle Johnsen As extreme weather conditions become more common, so too does flooding. Recognising the disruption and challenges floods have caused in its home country of Norway in recent years, the pioneers behind Aiwell Water AS have enhanced flood drainage capacity using innovative technology inspired by roof drainage systems. For more on the smart sewer network the company has been helping to create over the last decade, we spoke with the CEO of Aiwell Water and Aiwell Holding AS, Asle Johnsen. filled exclusively with water. Pressure then drops and the capacity is greatly improved, with a 100–500% flow increase regularly experienced. Whilst this solution is already widely available, Asle thought it could be developed further, and used for surface water and wastewater pipes in the ground. He established Aiwell Water in 2016 to help make this a reality, with the company quickly building its first siphonic plant with the city of Drammen, aptly named ‘Aiwell Water’s full-flow solution’. The plant has functioned perfectly for ten years already, with a number of new plants and patents following in its footsteps. And this brings us up to the present of the renowned Aiwell Water. Asle shared: “We are now working on our latest patent, which we have called the Bell patent, together with the Lillestrøm municipality. It consists of four patented solutions where we can, among other things, separate wastewater and stormwater in common pipes, replace pump stations with a siphonic solution, reuse existing pipes, and increase capacity without digging in the streets. This provides major environmental and financial savings. In addition, we do not close the street while the work is underway, which is greatly appreciated.” Across these companies, Asle has invested in all of these developments and patents because he has genuine care for the environment and saving energy. These concerns have motivated Asle’s entire career and shaped the direction of his companies. The results speak for themselves, with patents like Ice Control 2000, which melted snow at Oslo Central Station, reducing energy consumption from 1.4 million NOK down to 400,000 NOK a year. “That was just the first project. Since then, there have been many others, all over Norway, in the streets, the town squares, and several train stations, saving important energy reserves.” Partnerships are an integral part of the work that both Aiwell Water and the entire group of companies carry out, and Asle is honoured to have continuously worked in research and development with large builders, including the architect of the iconic Oslo Opera House. These partners have shaped Asle’s journey as much as the projects he has spearheaded over the course of his career, and the innovations and results his companies stand for are built on a foundation of collaboration – and underpinned by Asle’s excellent leadership. Detailing his leadership, Asle told us: “I trust people and try to motivate and give them self-confidence. I love challenges and finding solutions. When I choose to engage in a challenge, I go all in and never give up.” His leadership is also entwined with the company’s mission, which is simply that customers should get the best solutions, and its vision, which is that these solutions should help as many people as possible.
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