Membion receives 5 million euros for wastewater recycling technology

Membion plans broad market entry with EUR 5 million investment - Unique MBR technology promises improved water quality with significant savings.

Aachen, January 16, 2024 - Membion GmbH, based in Roetgen near Aachen, has secured financing of around 5 million euros. The TechVision Fund (TVF) and the DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF) are leading this Series A investment for the company. Membion develops membrane bioreactor (MBR) modules for wastewater treatment.

The company's patented technology enables municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant operators to improve water quality while significantly reducing operating costs. With the fresh capital, Membion plans to expand its market entry, establish new production lines and develop additional product features.

By switching to our MBR modules, the bacterial load of wastewater can be reduced by a factor of 1,000 compared to conventional systems.

Dr. Klaus Vossenkaul, CEO of Membion

Dr. Klaus Vossenkaul, CEO of Membion, emphasizes the advantages of the MBR modules: "By switching to our MBR modules, the bacterial load in wastewater can be reduced by a factor of 1,000 compared to conventional systems. In addition, our modules require 75 percent less space compared to conventional MBR plate modules. The innovative aeration technology reduces the energy required to flush the filters by more than 90 percent."

Founding team with 20 years of experience

The founding team, consisting of Dr. Klaus Vossenkaul and Dirk Volmering, has developed hollow fiber MBR modules over many years. These should not only save energy and operating costs, but also require less space than competing systems. These advantages are particularly relevant against the backdrop of increasing water quality requirements, as a "fourth purification stage" is needed to remove microplastics, antibiotic-resistant germs and other pollutants.

Membion's own production facility enables a scalable, highly automated production unit. The main target groups for Membion's technology are operators of municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial water treatment plants. The patented Membion technology is seen as a significant step towards efficient water recycling.

Björn Lang, Partner at TVF Management GmbH, sees Membion as a promising player in a growing market. Studies indicate that the market for MBR will grow to almost seven billion US dollars by 2030. Dr. Elisabeth Schrey, Managing Director of the DTCF, emphasizes the importance of innovations in wastewater and water treatment technology.