Funding to extract critical minerals from process water

EIT RawMaterials is investing €0.9mln in the technology.

Sofi Filtration is a the female-led Finnish developer of ‘Alchemist’, an ultrasound-based water filtration technology that recovers ultra-fine critical minerals from process water.

The investment includes €0.6mln under the EIT RawMaterials ‘ERMA Booster’ programme and €0.3mln under its ‘Fast Track’ programme.

EIT RawMaterials provides additional start-up support services, including entrepreneurship coaching, financial and management advisory services.

EIT RawMaterials is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an EU body.

The investment is intended to accelerate industrial pilots, international expansion, and continued development and validation of the technology.

EIT states the Sofi Alchemist filter system is the first to combine ultrasound-powered self-cleaning with the ability to capture ultra-fine particles down to 0.3μm. 

They also report the technology could enable up to 20% higher recovery of critical minerals from existing mines.

The technology is being applied for the first time in mining, having previously existed as a water purification system for over a decade in power plants, construction, and the pulp and paper industry.

Sofi Filtration was awarded second place at the EIT Innovation Awards 2025 in the Venture category.