This FET Innovation Launchpad THINtoBIG aimed to bring ultrathin carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) as a gamechanger to the market of demanding water separation applications. It followed-up on the scientific results in the FET Open project ITS-THIN, in which CNM Technologies (CNMT) as a 2D-materials specialist and BLUE-tec (BTEC) as a water treatment process developer participate. Together these companies now wish to join forces to prepare for the production and sales of CNM-composite membranes. THINtoBIG resulted into a conclusive business plan to be able to raise funds and find investors for production, marketing and sales of novel CNM-composite membranes.
The activities in ITS-THIN concentrate around scientific and technical goals - scientific in understanding of water transport in nano conduits, material development and characterisation; technical in the development of CNM-composite membranes and modules, as well as demonstration of first applications. Complementary, THINtoBIG focused on the development of a business based thereon. Using the results of ITS-THIN, THINtoBIG evaluated the costs of upscaled membrane fabrication and the potential of CNM-composite membranes in different markets. Input from ITS-THIN about the technical aspects and the performance of the first demonstrations for low-pressure reverse osmosis and forward osmosis have been considered in the final business plan. These new water treatment processes, which will be enabled by the newly developed CNM-composite membranes, promise to give some solutions in mankind’s quest for clean water and efficient water management (provision of ultrapure water in pharmacy and semiconductor manufacturing, industrial water purification processes, treatment of wastewater - especially removal of hard-to-deal-with drug residues and Boron,…) as well as secure save and economical food supply (cold concentration of food and beverages).
