Metal Morph Secures £700K to Recover Industrial Resources from Wastewater

### Water Technology Startup Aims to Reduce Reliance on Primary Supply Chains UK-based water technology startup Metal Morph has secured £700,000 in pre-seed funding to advance its technology for recovering industrial resources from water and wastewater treatment processes. The funding round was co-led by Sustainable Ventures and Green Angel Ventures, with participation from Aqcelerator and Found Capital. Metal Morph is developing an infrastructure-as-a-service solution that recovers industrial materials from municipal and industrial wastewater. Its first technology focuses on recovering aluminium and iron-based treatment chemicals that would otherwise be discharged to sewers, sent to landfill or spread on land. The recovered chemicals can be reused in water treatment processes, creating a circular system designed to reduce reliance on primary supply chains while lowering procurement costs and associated carbon emissions. The company plans to expand its technology to recover standalone metals from industrial wastewater and mining tailings. Metal Morph's resource recovery technology has the potential to fundamentally reshape the supply of essential chemicals to reduce the cost of water production. ### Founder's Vision for a More Sustainable Future According to Metal Morph's founder and CEO, Moletsane Mophethe, the company's mission is to help change the reality of uncertain access to clean water. Mophethe grew up in a place where access to clean water was uncertain, instilling within him an appreciation of how fragile access to essential resources can be. Metal Morph has completed more than 50 live tests across three drinking water treatment plants. The tests demonstrated recovery of up to 90 per cent of spent treatment chemicals at 95 per cent purity, alongside a 26 per cent reduction in coagulation-related operating costs and an 89 per cent reduction in emissions associated with coagulant procurement. ### Expanding Operations and Partnerships Metal Morph is working with six UK water utilities, which together represent 56 per cent of the UK water market. The company has also received a £100,000 grant from UK water regulator Ofwat, with a further £450,000 available subject to achieving agreed milestones. The new funding will be used to further develop Metal Morph's resource recovery technology, roll out industry pilots and continue validation with water utilities and industrial partners. The company is also exploring opportunities in European markets, including potential demonstrations in Estonia, while discussions are underway with Belgian water utility Aquafin. Metal Morph's innovative approach to water treatment has the potential to make a significant impact on the industry. With the new funding, the company is well-positioned to continue its mission of reducing reliance on primary supply chains and promoting a more sustainable future for water production.