Key Takeaways:
- Funding Secured: NPHarvest has raised €2.2 million to commercialize its Nutrient Catcher machine, designed to recycle nutrients from wastewater.
- Investment Details: The funding round, led by Nordic Foodtech VC, includes a €1.3 million equity investment and a €900,000 grant from the Finnish Ministry of the Environment.
- Technology Benefits: The Nutrient Catcher offers a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution compared to traditional methods, producing ammonia salt used in fertilizers.
- Environmental Impact: This innovation aims to reduce nutrient pollution, which causes eutrophication and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Commercialization Plans: With patents pending, NPHarvest plans to install its first commercial units at client facilities, targeting wastewater management plants and biogas facilities.
Innovative Approach to Nutrient Management
NPHarvest, a spin-off from Aalto University, is set to bring its pioneering nutrient recycling technology to market, following a successful €2.2 million funding round. This round was led by Nordic Foodtech VC, with contributions from Stephen Industries and Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry, underpinned by significant grant support from the Finnish Ministry of the Environment’s RAKI program.
The Nutrient Catcher Machine
The newly funded project will see the construction of the first commercially ready Nutrient Catcher machines, designed to be installed in facilities that handle large volumes of wastewater, such as municipal wastewater plants and agricultural biogas facilities. The Nutrient Catcher’s modular design allows for scalability and adaptability to various use cases, ensuring broad application potential.
Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen, CEO and founder of NPHarvest, explained the significance of this advancement: “Our process is not only more energy and cost-efficient but also simpler to operate than current solutions. We are excited to bring this sustainable technology to the market, which will provide affordable recycled nutrients and fertilizers.”
Technological and Environmental Benefits
The Nutrient Catcher is poised to transform nutrient management practices by efficiently capturing up to 90% of valuable nutrients from wastewater streams, significantly reducing the environmental impact of traditional fertilizer production and wastewater management. This system produces ammonia salt, a valuable commodity in the fertilizer industry, from captured nutrients.
Excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus has led to serious environmental issues, including eutrophication in water bodies, which depletes oxygen levels and kills aquatic life. By recycling these nutrients, NPHarvest prevents pollution and reduces reliance on fossil-based fertilizers, which are often imported and contribute to high greenhouse gas emissions.
Market Impact and Future Prospects
NPHarvest’s technology is set to substantially impact the market, with the European water management market alone valued at approximately €170 billion. Mika Kukkurainen, Partner at Nordic Foodtech VC, highlighted the project’s potential: “No one has done nutrient catching on a real commercial level, which impressed us as foodtech investors. NPHarvest’s technology merges food security with environmental protection in a promising business model.”
The technology’s introduction to the market is timely, aligning with increasing regulatory and environmental pressures on nutrient management. Antti Myllärinen, CEO of Doranova Oy, remarked on the industry’s challenges: “Nutrient recovery is critical within the biogas industry and often encounters bottlenecks. NPHarvest’s innovative method presents a tangible opportunity to overcome these challenges effectively.”
Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash
