Minus Filtration Company Profile

Background

Minus Filtration is dedicated to revolutionizing water treatment through its proprietary nanofiltration membrane technology. The company's mission is to provide chemical-free, effective filtration solutions that address critical environmental challenges, particularly the removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from water sources. By focusing on a "minus" approach—eliminating contaminants without adding chemicals—Minus Filtration aims to simplify water treatment processes, enhance safety, and sustainably manage water resources for current and future generations.

Key Strategic Focus

Minus Filtration's strategic focus centers on:

• Chemical-Free Water Treatment: Developing advanced membrane solutions that remove contaminants without the use of chemical additives, thereby eliminating harmful byproducts and hazardous waste.

• Scalability and Tunability: Offering versatile systems adaptable to various scales, from residential applications to large municipal facilities, ensuring cost-effective solutions across different operational sizes.

• Target Markets: Prioritizing municipal drinking water facilities, especially medium to large facilities serving 3,000 to 100,000 residents, due to impending EPA PFAS requirements and growing public awareness.

Financials and Funding

Minus Filtration is raising $1.2 million to complete the initial product development of a full-sized municipal drinking water nanofiltration system. The allocation of funds includes:

• $250,000: OEM recipe/process optimization and scale-up design.

• $425,000: Salaries for the core team and two full-time critical engineers.

• $150,000: System integration of membrane elements into existing hardware.

• $375,000: Development of a beta product and fully functional pilot system for municipal drinking water facilities.

The company has secured approximately $300,000 in committed capital from ultra-high-net-worth individuals and is in discussions with venture funds and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for additional funding.

Pipeline Development

Minus Filtration's technology is derived from three patents licensed from Georgia Tech, with the core patent already approved. The membrane has been prototyped at the lab scale, iteratively fabricated, and tested for compliance with EPA standards, achieving PFAS rejection levels below 4 parts per trillion and a Hazard Index of less than 1. The company is finalizing a contract with an OEM partner to scale up manufacturing, aiming to have a beta product ready for small-scale piloting within the next three months.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Minus Filtration's proprietary nanofiltration membrane technology offers several key benefits:

• High Water Recovery: Achieves over 99% water recovery, minimizing waste.

• Effective PFAS Removal: Removes both short- and long-chain PFAS compounds.

• Long Membrane Life: Membranes have a useful life of 5-10 years in drinking water settings.

• Retrofit Implementation: Designed for easy integration into existing infrastructure.

• No Chemical Additives: Operates without adding chemicals, preventing the creation of harmful byproducts.

Leadership Team

• Marcus Wang, CEO: Former head of Under Armour China, where he grew revenue from $0 to $80 million, and co-founder & CEO of ZytoGen Global Genetics Institute.

• Dr. Yongsheng Chen, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Advisor: With 30 years of research in urban sustainability, he has served as an investigator on grants totaling approximately $10 million and authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal papers.

• Jia Rong Li, COO: Former investment banker at JP Morgan with experience in complex financing and restructuring.

• Ian Chalk, CFO: Former lead of Corporate Development at Cardinality, with experience in fundraising and M&A.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global water infrastructure market is valued at approximately $800 billion, with increasing demand for effective PFAS remediation solutions due to growing environmental and health concerns.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the water filtration industry include:

• 3M Company: Offers a range of filtration products and has a significant presence in the market.

• Pall Corporation: Provides advanced filtration, separation, and purification technologies across various industries.

• Eaton Corporation: Offers a diverse portfolio of filtration solutions for industrial applications.

• Donaldson Company, Inc.: Specializes in filtration systems for various sectors, including manufacturing and transportation.

• Parker Hannifin Corporation: Develops advanced filtration technologies designed to enhance equipment performance and reliability.

These companies focus on innovation and technology, developing advanced filtration solutions that meet stringent regulatory standards and diverse industry needs.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Minus Filtration is developing partnerships with:

• State and Local Departments of Environmental Protection (DEPs): Engaging with DEPs in Massachusetts, Maine, and Maryland to present their technology and collaborate on PFAS remediation efforts.

• Engineering Firms: Collaborating with firms such as Battelle and AECOM, which are trusted by treatment facilities and can expedite access to end clients.

• Adjacent Water Treatment Service Providers: Partnering with system integrators and other upstream treatment service providers to access their client networks and enhance product offerings.

Operational Insights

Minus Filtration's competitive advantages include:

• Chemical-Free Operation: Eliminates the need for chemical additives, reducing operational complexity and environmental impact.

• High Efficiency: Achieves over 99% water recovery, minimizing waste and operational costs.

• Scalability: Offers solutions adaptable to various scales, from residential to large municipal facilities.

• Retrofit Capability: Designed for easy integration into existing infrastructure, reducing installation time and costs.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Minus Filtration plans to:

• Expand Market Reach: Target medium to large municipal drinking water facilities to address PFAS contamination.

• Diversify Applications: Extend technology applications to industrial wastewater treatment and desalination.

• Enhance Product Development: Continue research and development to improve membrane performance and longevity.

• Strengthen Partnerships: Build strategic collaborations to enhance market penetration and technological capabilities.

Contact Information

• Website: Minus Filtration

• LinkedIn: Minus Filtration on LinkedIn

• Twitter: Minus Filtration on Twitter

• Facebook: Minus Filtration on Facebook