New Zealand’s NovoLabs raises funding for ‘world’s first’ UV disinfection technology

A Kiwi startup has raised investment funding for a cheaper, greener and more effective way to treat wastewater.

The Oakland-based Climate Venture Capital Fund paid $1 million for seven investments.
Stock cents to NovoLabs. The company, spun out from research at Massey University, claims to have developed a “world’s first” and “next generation” ultraviolet disinfection technology.

While the use of ultraviolet light to purify liquids is not new, Dr. Matt Sells, chief executive officer of NovoLab, said that previous technology could reduce the intensity of ultraviolet light when it was shined through water, especially murky water. He said that the disinfection ability would rapidly decline.

NovoLabs has developed a method to irradiate high UV-C light intensity throughout the liquid being treated, which is currently patented in the United States, Europe, and China.

Sells says the company’s specialized lamps, which emit a specific range of ultraviolet light (called UV-C or “germicidal range UV”), are highly effective at destroying the RNA and DNA structures of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. It is said to cause rapid inactivation and disinfection.

Lance Wiggs, a partner at the Climate Venture Capital Fund who joined Novolab’s board as part of the deal, said the funding round was oversubscribed. Although still in its early stages, his fund sees a $5 billion market potential.

UV cleaning “guns” have soared in popularity during the pandemic, but the technology has also attracted negative publicity. Dr Simon Swift from the University of Auckland warned that while the gun could kill coronavirus in seconds, it could cause damage to the eyes just as quickly.

But NovoLabs is aiming at a completely different market.

“Our systems are designed for large-scale disinfection of industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater, process water (i.e. in factories) and other difficult-to-treat liquids,” Sells said. herald.

Although it has only been on the market for five years, he said the first systems have already been installed and more are planned.

“We are currently building systems for a domestic wastewater treatment plant and another industrial facility,” Sells said.

“We are also working with more than a dozen industry associations and local authorities in New Zealand, where we are conducting trials.”

Companies investigating Novolab’s technology include large meat processing plants in the South Island. (During the pilot project, Sells will not share customer names.)

“Not too long ago, we were a start-up company located in a shed behind Massey University. We are now selling multiple full-scale systems to industry that provide high levels of wastewater disinfection.” said Professor Andy Shilton, co-founder of Novolab.

“This new technology can disinfect liquids that were typically considered untreatable with traditional UV technology. It also contains no chemicals and eliminates the high power consumption of alternative technologies such as membranes. “As Congress and industry alike strive for more sustainable solutions, NovoLabs technology provides new answers.”

Climate Change Venture Capital Fund Partner Dr. Jez Weston said Novolab is committed to reducing carbon emissions, a key criterion for the Fund.

“NovoLabs’ technology has the potential to replace the large, mature installed base of traditional treatment facilities. By avoiding the use of large amounts of chemicals for disinfection and purification, it improves water quality and reduces wastewater discharge. We can reduce the volume,” Weston said.

“This technology allows water treatment plants to save operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect communities and ecosystems by killing pathogens. Looking for new and affordable solutions. It’s a very attractive technology and company for the sector.”

“We have received great feedback from industry, councils, engineering consultants and local IWIs. Given that we are competing with legacy technology from overseas companies that have sold hundreds of thousands of UV systems, this was highly praised for his invention,” said Sells.

Chris Keall is a member of the Herald’s business team based in Auckland. He joined the Herald in his 2018 year and serves as technology editor and senior business writer.