What's the biggest hurdle for a technological revolution in China's water desalination sector?

It's certainly not a lack of potential market. In a country where water shortages have already crippled economic development, processing seawater for drinking and industrial use offers a future not only to the country but also to global investors.

It's no wonder, then, that more than 300 specialists and businessmen from across the world flocked to Tianjin recently, looking for opportunities at the five-day congress of the International Desalination Association.