WASE

WASE is a London-based provider of on-site, modular waste-to-energy solutions using its proprietary Electro-Methanogenic Reactor (EMR) technology to convert organic waste and wastewater into valuable resources such as biogas, clean water and digestate, a byproduct for soil nutrition. The clean water produced by EMR technology can be used for irrigation, reducing the need for potable water in agriculture. Its biogas can be used to generate electricity and heat or fuel vehicles, reducing the need for fossil fuels and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company claims that its solutions reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD; the amount of oxygen required for oxidation in water) by more than 95% while generating biogas. The company also claims its onsite organic waste treatment solution is 68% smaller in size, 10x faster, and generates 20% more energy than traditional alternatives. 

As of July 2023, WASE operates three biocenter systems: 1) IndustriWASE for waste-to-energy solutions in the food and beverage sector; 2) AgriWASE for energy and resource recovery in agriculture; and 3) SaniWASE for the safe treatment of municipal waste in underserved communities. In March 2022, WASE announced its plans to install over 1,000 IndustriWASE systems in the next five years, generating over 500 gigawatt hours of renewable energy and saving over 140,000 tons of carbon.

Key customers and partnerships

WASE partnered with Hitachi in August 2022 to explore business opportunities in Japan and Southeast Asia for its IndustriWASE electro-methanogenic reactors. The two companies began developing business prospects with a particular focus on the international F&B industry, including economic and technical feasibility analysis, conducting pilot-scale testing, and ultimately developing a business strategy for commercialization in Japan. As of June 2023, the two companies have completed a pilot project at Hepworth Brewery, a brewery in the UK, and are evaluating additional aspects of their technology for further refinement and development.

Funding and financials

In March 2022, the company raised GBP 700,000 (~USD 911,781) in seed funding from Elbow Beach Capital, Science Angel Syndicate, and the European Union's Climate-KIC investment support program to install a commercial industrial biocenter system at Hepworth Brewery, advance WASE's sales pipeline, increase R&D spending, and support hiring. In February 2023, the company received an undisclosed grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero's Energy Entrepreneurs Fund to further develop its EMR technology and test its agriWASE system.