A WATER treatment specialist says it expects to create North-East jobs after forming a partnership with an industry leader.

Conder Environmental Solutions, based in Peterlee, east Durham, is now working with Canada-based Premier Tech.

The company hopes the move will strengthen and double Conder's order book in just four years, and make it one of the largest water and waste water treatment product makers in the UK.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Conder, which employs 89 workers, makes various pieces of equipment, including septic tanks, pumps, and filters for water-based projects, and is part of Irish-based waste treatment firm EPS.

Bosses say the venture will see the firm re-branded Conder Aqua Solutions, and expect its plant to be running at full capacity in early 2014, making new products for waste and rain water use.

Premier Tech, which revealed group turnover of about £300m last year, says it has acquired 70 per cent of Conder, and chiefs from both companies expect to create new jobs with plans to launch up to nine new products in the next 18 months.

Stuart Wray, Conder Aqua Solutions' managing director, said: “The partnership gives Premier Tech an immediate and significant market presence in the UK’s waste and waste water treatment arena.

“For us, the partnership aligns our business to the industry world leader, meaning we can maximise innovation and our manufacturing and distribution capacity.

“However, it will also bring exclusive technologies to the UK market, which will firmly position us as a market leader in our field.”

Premier Tech operates across the world's horticultural, agricultural, industrial packaging and environmental sectors, working in 22 countries, and has been trading for 90 years.

Jean Bélanger, Premier Tech president and chief operating officer, added: “The integration of Conder Aqua Solutions under our environmental technology group is fully aligned with our vision to expand our presence in Europe.”