At the beginning of October, EIT RawMaterials announced its investment in Weeefiner, a company specializing in the recovery of critical raw materials. Support from EIT RawMaterials will significantly help Weeefiner move into its next phase of growth.
The investment from EIT RawMaterials will enable Weeefiner to further develop its technology, optimize production processes, and establish a small-scale serial production line to meet growing demand. In addition to financial support, EIT RawMaterials provides strategic guidance, helping Weeefiner strengthen its international growth strategies, connect with customers and investors, and accelerate its expansion.
“The ongoing support from EIT RawMaterials is invaluable as we move into the next stage of our growth. Their extensive network and event platforms help us increase our visibility and expand our business opportunities. We look forward to their strategic guidance and financial advice, which are crucial as we scale our operations and expand our market presence,” comments Mikko Hänninen, CEO of Weeefiner.
Investment Aims to Support the circular economy in Europe
EIT RawMaterials, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is the world’s largest and most active raw materials knowledge and innovation network, committed to promoting and supporting the circular economy in Europe. The investment in Weeefiner complements EIT RawMaterials’ growing start-up portfolio while reinforcing its commitment to accelerating financing in the raw materials sector.
“Weeefiner’s technology is an excellent example of how we focus on groundbreaking innovations that help Europe take a leading role in creating a functioning circular economy. We are proud to support Weeefiner’s growth as part of our portfolio of innovative companies and technologies that provide impactful solutions to the most pressing challenges in the raw materials sector,” says Bernd Schäfer, CEO of EIT RawMaterials.
Breakthrough Technology at the Center of Attention
According to UN-Water (2024), only 27% of industrial wastewater is treated safely worldwide. This highlights the need for scalable and cost-effective water treatment solutions.
Weeefiner’s 4D Sieppari® technology not only reduces treatment costs by up to 30% but also enables industrial wastewater to be harnessed as an important source of secondary raw materials. The 4D Sieppari® uses 3D-printed porous filters to recover dissolved metals in water streams with up to 100% efficiency. This solution supports the circular economy for metals while reducing their harmful environmental impact.
More Information
Original press release: EIT RawMaterials invests €0.5 million in Finnish circularity start-up Weeefiner