CLEAN (The Danish Water and Environment Cluster) - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

CLEAN is Denmark’s national cluster for water and environmental technology, leading the country's green and sustainable transition while cultivating growth within the Danish cleantech sector. The organization envisions Danish companies as world leaders in the water and environment domain. Operating as a pivotal innovation hub, CLEAN connects diverse entities including companies, utilities, knowledge institutions, and the public sector. Its core mission is to catalyze market-driven green innovation, both domestically and internationally, by facilitating impactful collaborations and accelerating cleantech advancements across the ecosystem.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

CLEAN's primary objective is to tackle intricate challenges within the green transition, driving advantageous outcomes such as profitability, enhanced employment, and a healthier planet. The cluster stimulates innovation, promotes growth, and fosters advancements in cleantech by facilitating collaboration across public actors, knowledge institutions, and the private sector to develop cutting-edge solutions.

Specialization Areas

The organization specializes in several key environmental domains: "Water in the Technosphere," "Climate Adaptation," "Air," "Waste, Resources & Materials," and "Soil, Water & Nature." CLEAN offers unique value propositions by supporting the growth and employment of water and environmental technology companies through comprehensive knowledge dissemination, competence development programs, strategic matchmaking, robust networking opportunities, collaborative projects, and internationalization efforts. Innovation priorities include digitalization, nature-based solutions, circular economy principles, and reducing climate impact.

Target Markets

CLEAN primarily targets the Danish cleantech sector, aiming to position its member companies as national and international leaders in water and environmental technology. Its market positioning strategy involves fostering an innovation ecosystem that empowers Danish SMEs to scale their sustainable solutions globally.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

CLEAN is structured as a private-public company, receiving co-financing from key governmental bodies including the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, the Danish Board of Business Development, and the European Union. Its funding model is designed to support innovation projects by assisting companies with applications for public funds and connecting them with essential resources and financial backing for the development and testing of water and environmental technology solutions.

The organization secured significant funding through its re-appointment as Denmark's national water and environmental technology cluster under the Danish Cluster Programme for 2025–2028, allocating DKK 78.6 million. The substantial portion of these funds is directed to companies and collaborative projects, strategically utilized to bolster innovation within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), strengthen collaborations with its 21 partner knowledge institutions, and initiate cross-sector and international projects. This funding is crucial for enhancing the company's growth trajectory and expanding its impact.

3. Product Pipeline

As a cluster organization, CLEAN drives "pipeline development" not through traditional product generations but by orchestrating diverse collaborative projects designed to accelerate green innovation. These initiatives constitute its active development pipeline:

Innovation Projects: These projects empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to spearhead the green transformation. Through collaboration with other companies or knowledge partners, SMEs develop, demonstrate, and test groundbreaking water and environmental technologies.
Knowledge Bridge Projects: Focused on transferring critical knowledge from research institutions to businesses, these projects involve experts providing insights and advice to companies. This facilitates continuous innovation and development, particularly for early-stage technologies. In the 2021–2024 cluster period, 42 knowledge bridge projects received DKK 11 million in funding, fostering robust collaborations between companies and researchers on sustainable technology development.
Partner Projects: These are strong collaborations where CLEAN works closely with its partners to generate synergies and collectively address pressing water and environmental challenges through joint initiatives.

CLEAN's project portfolio includes ongoing initiatives in areas such as circular economy, advanced water solutions, waste management, and resource optimization. Notable examples include the TRACE Open Call 2025, which features a budget of DKK 128 million for circular economy innovation; the Lighthouse for Water Technology 2.0, aiming for a CO2- and climate-neutral water sector by 2030; and the LogiCCS project, focusing on sustainable maritime logistics for CO2 transport. During the 2021–2024 cluster period, CLEAN successfully completed a total of 82 projects, encompassing innovation projects, international pilot projects, and knowledge bridge projects.

4. Technology & Innovation

CLEAN operates as a vital innovation space, fostering the development and application of various cleantech solutions among its extensive network of members. While CLEAN itself does not possess proprietary technologies, its core function is to support the integration and advancement of significant scientific methodologies and technologies across its specialized focus areas. This includes furthering new groundwater mapping techniques and driving innovation in critical domains like digitalization, nature-based solutions, and the circular economy.

The cluster actively cultivates an ecosystem where SMEs, municipalities, entrepreneurs, and knowledge institutions converge to collaborate on solving complex environmental challenges. This is achieved through the development and deployment of advanced water and environmental solutions. This collaborative environment is instrumental in translating innovative ideas into market-ready applications and enhancing the return on public investments in research and development.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

The leadership team at CLEAN (The Danish Water and Environment Cluster) is instrumental in guiding its strategic direction and nurturing its dynamic ecosystem:

Kim Fredenslund (CEO): As CEO, Kim Fredenslund has articulated the organization's pride and renewed commitment following CLEAN's re-appointment as Denmark's national cluster for 2025–2028. He emphasizes this as both a validation of their past efforts and a significant opportunity to generate greater value for member companies and partners.
Michael Johansen (Head of Development): Michael Johansen underscores the indispensable role of the 21 knowledge institutions collaborating with CLEAN. He highlights their unique expertise, ranging from sustainable technology development to circular economy, as a driving force behind local and international innovation projects and a crucial support mechanism for SME growth.
Thomas Munch-Laursen (Chief Concept Officer, Aguardio & Clean Board Member): Thomas Munch-Laursen has affirmed that CLEAN's continued designation as a national cluster will expand opportunities for companies, facilitating their technological and commercial development by providing enhanced access to knowledge, partners, and collaborative projects through the cluster framework.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

The cleantech sector, both globally and within Denmark, demonstrates robust growth. Clean energy employment is expanding rapidly, with projections indicating a global clean energy industry CAGR of 12.7% from 2025 to 2030.

In Denmark, the water and environment sector, where CLEAN is deeply embedded, significantly contributes to employment, supporting over 71,000 full-time jobs, with 49,171 specifically within water and environmental technology companies. This sector generates a substantial turnover of DKK 165.2 billion, with DKK 119.1 billion originating from water and environmental technology companies. Furthermore, exports from this sector amount to DKK 57.4 billion, accounting for 3.7% of Denmark's total exports. CLEAN's re-appointment as a national cluster for 2025–2028, coupled with significant public funding, is strategically aimed at strengthening innovation in SMEs and launching diverse cross-sector and international initiatives. This indicates a sustained growth trajectory for the sector and an ongoing demand for specialized talent within these critical areas.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

CLEAN maintains an active and strategic social media presence to engage with its expansive ecosystem and promote initiatives in cleantech. Its digital footprint is focused on:

Brand Messaging and Positioning: Promoting Denmark's leadership in cleantech, showcasing its collaborative projects, and advocating for the broader green transition.
Community Engagement and Thought Leadership: Regularly sharing industry news, event information, and expert insights pertaining to water and environmental technology. This fosters discussions among its members, partners, and the wider public.
Notable Campaigns: Actively supporting and disseminating information on various projects and funding opportunities, such as the TRACE Open Call 2025 for circular economy innovation and lighthouse projects aimed at achieving a CO2-neutral water sector.

CLEAN utilizes platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook to connect companies, utilities, knowledge institutions, and public sector stakeholders. These platforms are crucial for facilitating networking, matchmaking, and comprehensive knowledge sharing, enhancing brand visibility and audience connection through effective engagement metrics.

8. Recognition and Awards

CLEAN's re-appointment as Denmark's national water and environmental technology cluster for the 2025–2028 period stands as a significant testament to its profound impact and proven effectiveness. This designation, accompanied by substantial public funding, not only validates the organization's past work but also reinforces its pivotal role in spearheading green innovation throughout Denmark. The successful completion of 82 projects, including innovation projects, international pilot projects, and knowledge bridge projects during its previous cluster period (2021–2024), further underscores its achievements in fostering innovation and facilitating crucial collaborations. Moreover, Denmark's consistent high ranking in innovation within the European Innovation Scorecard, often alongside Sweden and Finland, contributes to the overall recognition and prestige of clusters such as CLEAN.

9. Competitive Analysis

CLEAN operates within a dynamic landscape characterized by numerous cleantech clusters and innovation networks, both domestically and internationally. Its key "competitors" or analogous organizations are other national or regional clusters primarily dedicated to environmental technologies, water management, or the circular economy.

Examples from a broader global context include:
Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (U.S.): This cluster focuses on fostering cleantech innovation and economic growth within North Carolina's Research Triangle region.
Valencia Cleantech Cluster (Spain): This regional cluster aims to promote cleantech solutions and industrial development in the Valencia region.

These types of organizations generally share similar overarching goals with CLEAN, such as stimulating innovation, facilitating strategic partnerships, and driving sustainable economic growth within their respective clean technology sectors. CLEAN differentiates itself through its national mandate, specific focus on water and environmental technology within Denmark's highly regarded cleantech ecosystem, and strong public-private co-financing model.

10. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The Danish cleantech market is a robust and expanding sector, making substantial contributions to both the national economy and global sustainability efforts. Denmark is globally recognized as a frontrunner in the cleantech industry, backed by ambitious national targets such as a 70% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030 and a complete independence from fossil fuels by 2050. The cleantech sector has consistently been the fastest-growing component of Danish exports since 2010.

Growth Potential

Investment in green-tech within Denmark has seen a significant surge, with invested capital increasing by nearly 80% between 2021 and 2022. From 2019 to 2023, the number of green-tech investments quadrupled, and the total capital allocated more than tripled. Cleantech itself led Danish green-tech investments from 2019 through the first three quarters of 2024, attracting over 1.54 billion DKK across 38 funding rounds. The country benefits from steadfast government support, a collaborative business environment, and optimal conditions for research and development centers. The Danish renewable energy market alone is projected to expand significantly, growing from 14.44 gigawatts in 2025 to 25.66 gigawatts by 2030, driven by binding climate legislation and targets.

Key Market Trends

Leading market trends include a strong emphasis on decarbonization, the transition to a circular economy, digitalization of environmental management, and the integration of nature-based solutions. The strong policy framework and targets for carbon reduction create a favorable environment for cleantech innovation and adoption.

Market Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges include the need for continuous innovation to meet aggressive climate targets and integrate new technologies efficiently. Opportunities abound in leveraging Denmark's reputation, strong R&D, and collaborative ecosystem to develop and export cutting-edge environmental solutions globally, particularly in areas like advanced water management, climate adaptation, and resource recovery.

11. Strategic Partnerships

Strategic collaborations and partnerships are fundamental to CLEAN's operational paradigm and its effectiveness as a cluster organization. It acts as a central connector, fostering active interaction across companies, utilities, knowledge institutions, and the public sector within the Danish environmental technology ecosystem.

Key partnerships include:
Knowledge Institutions: CLEAN collaborates with 21 partner knowledge institutions, which is a cornerstone of its strategy to bolster water and environmental technology innovation. These institutions contribute invaluable expertise, spanning sustainable technology development to the circular economy, thereby driving innovation projects.
Public Sector and Government: Strong public support is evident through co-financing from the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, the Danish Board of Business Development, and the European Union. CLEAN is an integral part of the Danish Cluster Programme, initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Danish Board of Business Development.
International Cleantech Network (ICN): As a member of the ICN, a global alliance comprising 22 leading cleantech clusters across four continents, CLEAN provides its network with access to international projects, partnerships, global business opportunities, and participation in challenges and matchmaking with end-users.
* Member Ecosystem: CLEAN actively facilitates networking and matchmaking among its diverse members, which include private companies, public actors, investors, foundations