The Munich-based startup Ecofario has developed a technology that can efficiently filter microplastics from wastewater. The patented application uses the so-called hydrocyclone principle more efficiently and cost-effectively than before. The prototype is now to be financed through a crowdfunding campaign. The founders' vision: to equip all wastewater treatment plants worldwide with their technology! Ecofario CEO and founder Sebastian Porkert explains what the path to achieving this might look like.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are the greentech startup Ecofario We want to use our innovative technology to filter microplastics from water. This minimizes the resulting pollutant input that enters our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans via our wastewater and sewage treatment plants.
How a vortex separates microplastics from wastewater
Our patented technology is based on the hydrocyclone principle. This means that we place the wastewater into an extreme, yet very defined vortex. This creates an effect almost 2,000 times the force of gravity on the water. This, in turn, allows microplastic particles to be separated from the water.
Our systems will be installed as the final stage in wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities in the future. This will prevent microplastics from entering the environment! Because our technology is extremely robust and efficient, it is significantly more cost-effective than competitors.
The Ecofario team currently consists of four founders: As a paper engineer with a doctorate, I bring expertise in large-scale industrial process engineering to the team and invented the technology. Our second managing director and CFO, Adrian Scholl, is a trained translator. Adrian has been working in project management for several years and is currently in the final stages of his MBA. Robert Krapez, in turn, is heading up research and development. He is a paper and mechanical engineer and is currently in the second half of his master's degree in mechanical engineering. The fourth member of the team is Stefan Tomme, Head of Technology. He is a trained IT systems electronics engineer and energy systems engineer.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Yes and no! The basic principle of our technology, the hydrocyclone principle, is an established process and has been used for some time to separate multiphase mixtures.
Nevertheless, we have succeeded in modifying this principle in such a way that our 1TP1408 ink is up to 50 times more efficient than conventional ink. These modifications are so innovative that we have successfully filed a patent for them. This enables us to filter out tiny particles such as microplastics, which differ only slightly from water in terms of density, from the water without the need for a filter layer or cloth filter. Our technology thus opens up entirely new areas of application for the hydrocyclone principle, including microplastic filtration.
Long dry spell on the way from research to founding
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge so far has been the solid establishment of Ecofario GmbH. Since we've been working and researching this topic for five years now, we've had a long dry spell. We had to dig deep into our own pockets for patents, trademark registrations, etc. Fortunately, this dry spell is slowly coming to an end.
We've placed great importance on ensuring that everything we do is thought through down to the last detail. We don't want to make hasty decisions. While this strategy has made us comparatively slow, we haven't made any decisions that we've regretted or that have led to problems. Thus, we've created a perfect foundation for Ecofario. And on this basis, we can operate optimally.
“Better butter than microplastics for the fish!”
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Better butter than microplastics for the fish! Since we are currently still in the development phase and don't yet have a product on the market that sells, we can't yet boast large figures. Our next step is the production of a 1:1 scale mobile prototype. We expect to be able to test and demonstrate the prototype to future customers by the end of the year. The resulting findings will serve as the basis for the scale-up to the first pilot plant, which is scheduled to go into operation by 2021 at the latest.
We are currently trying to raise funds for the construction of the prototype through a Crowdfunding campaign to acquireIf anyone feels addressed or motivated by this, we welcome any kind of support!
What the startup heart desires
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich and the surrounding area are both our home and our home, and thus an integral part of our lives. Due to the proximity to mountains and lakes, we, as self-confessed nature freaks, have everything we need in our private lives. On the other hand, Munich has an excellent network and a very good scene for startups. Since we originally came from SCE We were able to enjoy these advantages right from the start. Furthermore, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and various Bavarian cluster initiatives represent very good location factors for us. So, in short: In Munich, we have everything our startup heart desires!
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Maybe we'll see each other at Epic Fail Night, but only as listeners, so we can learn from bad decisions together. To avoid a stage appearance, we've done everything we can to lead our startup solidly into the future. Should we fail to gain a foothold in the wastewater treatment sector, we still have a few tricks up our sleeve. Our technology can also be successfully and profitably used in other areas. Currently, all the lights are green. Therefore, we are very confident that we can firmly establish our company in our focus market.
7. Three examples where you can easily do without plastic in your everyday life?
Unfortunately, plastic has become a very solid and almost immovable pillar of our society. Therefore, it will probably not be possible to completely replace crude oil-based plastic for generations to come. A start is to consciously avoid unnecessary plastic products. Three examples:
- Food packaging: Opt for unpackaged products. The packaging industry will continue to supply us with plastic packaging as long as we buy it as customers. We, as consumers, are the ones who make the difference here.
- Plastic bags: Better to use paper, as it is completely biodegradable, or even better, multi-use solutions.
- Straws: Either don't use them at all, or opt for paper ones instead. Other countries like Australia are already doing this very successfully.
However, we believe that avoiding certain products isn't the only key to success. It's much more important, firstly, that we all recycle extremely consciously. This is the only way a successful circular economy can function. Secondly, we should be meticulous about keeping our environment clean. Everyone can also contribute to keeping it clean: Pick up a few pieces of trash on every walk and dispose of it. If one in ten people in Munich alone did this, we could easily eat off the streets!
