{"id":157657,"date":"2025-02-07T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=157657"},"modified":"2025-02-07T09:59:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T08:59:52","slug":"oxyle-raises-16m-to-lead-the-fight-against-forever-chemicals-contaminating-our-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/oxyle-raises-16m-to-lead-the-fight-against-forever-chemicals-contaminating-our-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxyle raises $16M to lead the fight against \u201cforever chemicals\u201d contaminating our water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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When Fajer Mushtaq turned on the tap as a child in Delhi, one question always loomed: was the water safe? Today, that same question haunts communities worldwide as PFAS \u2014 toxic \u201cforever chemicals\u201d used in everything from non-stick pans to firefighting foam \u2014 contaminate water supplies at an alarming rate. Today, Swiss startup Oxyle announced a $16M funding round to scale its breakthrough solution to destroy, not just relocate, PFAS from wastewater. This builds on its $3M pre-seed round in 2022, growing support for its mission. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seed round was led by 360 Capital, with participation from Axeleo Capital and returning investors Founderful and SOSV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industries have long struggled with PFAS treatment. Current methods like filtration and adsorption merely move PFAS from water to other waste streams, requiring expensive incineration or landfilling that risks these chemicals leaching back into the environment through air or soil \u2013 creating an endless cycle of contamination. While some technologies can destroy PFAS, their massive energy requirements make them financially impractical for most organizations to implement at scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxyle\u2019s breakthrough technology represents the world\u2019s first economical and permanent solution to PFAS contamination. Unlike traditional methods that merely filter or concentrate these chemicals, Oxyle\u2019s system destroys PFAS molecules, achieving over 99% elimination rates while consuming at least 15 times less energy than alternative destruction methods. The system\u2019s three-stage process combines foam fractionation, catalytic destruction, and real-time monitoring powered by machine learning \u2013 all housed in a modular system that eliminates the need for secondary waste disposal through incineration or landfilling. Whereas traditional solutions require weeks-long lab analysis, Oxyle\u2019s proprietary monitoring system provides instant feedback and continuous treatment optimization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cFive years ago, Oxyle was two of us founders and one big idea: get rid of forever chemicals from our water. Today, that idea is proven, implemented, and ready to scale. This funding is a game-changer. It gives us what we need to take our technology to the industries and communities that need it most. To our investors, old and new, thank you for joining us on this mission to make clean water a reality for all.\u201d \u2013 Dr. Fajer Mushtaq, CEO & Co-Founder, Oxyle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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The team behind Oxyle. \u00a9 Daniel Kunz, daniekunzphoto, Adliswil, Switzerland<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The company was co-founded by Fajer Mushtaq and Silvan Staufert at ETH Zurich, where Mushtaq earned her PhD in Micro- and Nanosystems focused on water remediation \u2013 inspired by her experiences with water scarcity in Delhi \u2013 while Staufert completed his PhD in Mechanical and Process Engineering. Understanding that water treatment innovations couldn\u2019t come soon enough, they developed a technology to degrade Forever Chemicals in minutes. They knew their breakthrough could change the world, but only if it moved from lab to reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In just four years, the duo have transformed Oxyle from innovation to implementation. The company has grown to a team of 26, completed over 20 customer projects, and secured prestigious recognition including the Swiss Technology Award, SEIF, and WEF\u2019s Uplink Top Innovators. This round brings Oxyle\u2019s total funding to $26M, including additional non-dilutive funding from grants and awards. With revenue-generating customer pilots under its belt and its first commercial installation operational, Oxyle is now securing multiple-year treatment contracts for 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The technology\u2019s effectiveness has been proven across multiple applications. In groundwater treatment, it reduces PFAS concentrations from 8,700 ng\/l to below 14 ng\/l. For soil wash water, it achieves 99.8% removal of 11 different PFAS species. It eliminated 98% of short-chain PFAS and reduced trifluoracetic acid (TFA) concentrations by 96% in trials with an industrial customer. Most significantly, in November 2024, Oxyle deployed its first full-scale system in Switzerland, treating 10 cubic meters of contaminated groundwater per hour at less than 1 kWh\/m\u00b3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe are proud to lead the investment in Oxyle, whose pioneering technology addresses the massive global challenge of PFAS pollution,\u201d says  \u201cUnlike traditional methods that merely contain these harmful chemicals, Oxyle\u2019s solution destroys them permanently, setting a new standard for tackling this urgent environmental crisis. This is a game changer. The team\u2019s exceptional commercial and technical momentum has laid a strong foundation for establishing a true technology leader in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The timing for Oxyle\u2019s solution is critical. Rising waves of PFAS-related lawsuits and multi-billion-dollar settlements in the U.S. are pushing companies to adopt preventative solutions. Stricter regulations in both the EU and U.S. are increasing demand for advanced treatment technologies that can ensure compliance and minimize liability. New data from the Forever Lobbying Project shows the cost of inaction is staggering\u2014cleaning up Europe\u2019s soil and water from PFAS contamination could cost \u20ac100 billion per year, totaling \u20ac2 trillion over the next 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Oxyle aims to treat 100 million cubic meters of contaminated water in the next five years. The company plans to expand its solution across industries, from chemical and consumer goods manufacturing to semiconductor production and municipal water treatment \u2013 ultimately restoring and protecting our waters from Forever Chemicals, down to the very last drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n



About Oxyle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oxyle is the world\u2019s first economical, sustainable, and permanent answer to PFAS contamination. Our breakthrough PFAS catalytic destruction technology empowers industrial and environmental remediation companies in their fight against PFAS. We don\u2019t just filter or adsorb PFAS, we eliminate it entirely to below detection limits. With 15x lower average energy consumption than other destructive treatments, it is the most energy efficient, cost effective treatment on the market. Established in 2020, we\u2019re on a mission to protect our water from PFAS \u2013 down to the last drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 360 Capital<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

360 Capital<\/strong><\/a> is a leading European venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments across Deep Tech, Climate Tech, and Digital-First solutions. Since 1997, it has partnered with visionary entrepreneurs across Europe, supporting over 160 startups. With \u20ac500 million in assets under management, a portfolio of more than 60 active companies, and offices in Paris and Milan, 360 Capital is a prominent force in Europe\u2019s venture ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Founderful<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Founderful<\/a> <\/strong>is Switzerland\u2019s leading pre-seed fund, backing founder teams building tech companies with the potential to become global market leaders. Founderful has a track record of supporting exceptional founders in creating breakthrough companies and has the passionate conviction that the Swiss startup ecosystem is just starting to write its best success stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About SOSV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SOSV<\/a><\/strong> is a multi-stage, deep tech venture investor committed  to \u201chuman and planetary health,\u201d and invests beginning at a startup\u2019s inception, the \u201cFirst Check in Deep Tech\u00ae.\u201d  Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, SOSV operates the deeply resourced startup development programs in New York City and San Francisco (IndieBio) and Newark, NJ (HAX) equipped with labs for bio-safety, chem, food, EE, analytics and mechatronics.  The SOSV ecosystem spans the globe, with 800+ startups operating in 40 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Axeleo Capital<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Axeleo Capital (AXC)<\/a><\/strong> is an Emerging independent early-stage VC, trusted and backed by seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts across Europe, focusing on B2B software and Greentech startups. With \u20ac300 million in assets under management, 4 successful fund raises so far and 13 employees, the firm has made over 70 investments across the EU, and has achieved 18 successful exits within the past 36 months. AXC provides a unique framework for European early-stage startups. It offers a comprehensive range of support, including equity investments from seed to Series B stages, operational guidance and strategic assistance. The firm boasts an active ecosystem of more than 150 high-level partners, sector experts and mentors who have been instrumental in numerous success stories across Europe and the US. Axeleo Greentech Industry I aims to foster green innovation and sustainable development in Europe, with a focus on energy, chemicals, agriculture, and mobility sectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Fajer Mushtaq turned on the tap as a child in Delhi, one question always loomed: was the water safe? Today, that same question haunts communities worldwide as PFAS \u2014 toxic \u201cforever chemicals\u201d used in everything from non-stick pans to firefighting foam \u2014 contaminate water supplies at an alarming rate. Today, Swiss startup Oxyle announced […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":157691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"Today, Swiss startup Oxyle announced a $16M seed round to scale its breakthrough solution to destroy, not just relocate, PFAS from wastewater","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[14829,25646,16739,23797,24928],"supplier":[25632],"class_list":["post-157657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-marinepollution","tag-pfas","tag-pollution","tag-sustainabiliity","tag-watermanagement","supplier-oxyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157657\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/157691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157657"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=157657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}