Vincent Caillaud appointed CEO of Puraffinity

Puraffinity, a company specializing in innovative technology to eliminate harmful "forever chemicals" such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water, has announced plans for expansion following the  appointment of Vincent Caillaud as its new CEO . This development coincides with the company  securing £6.73 million in funding from BGF.

Vincent Caillaud, with over 20 years of experience in the water industry, previously held the position of CEO at Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, a division of the global leader in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia. His expertise is expected to significantly enhance Puraffinity's market reach. Meanwhile, Puraffinity’s founder,  Henrik Hagemann, will focus on advancing the company’s technological innovations as Chief Product and Innovation Officer.

BGF’s investment marks the completion of Puraffinity's £16.93 million Series A funding round. This round also included contributions from investors such as Octopus Ventures, HG Ventures, Kindred Capital, Verve Ventures, and the Universal Materials Incubator Co. The funds will be used to scale up production of the company’s patented PFAS-absorbing material, Puratech ®, and explore new commercial applications for its technology.

Puraffinity, founded in 2015 by Henrik Hagemann and Gabi Santosa and originating from Imperial College London, offers a unique solution to the growing global  issue of PFAS contamination . Its technology effectively and affordably removes PFAS from water, outperforming traditional treatment methods.

PFAS, developed in the 1940s for industrial purposes, are resistant to water, grease, and oil, making them difficult to break down, thus earning the nickname "forever chemicals." Linked to serious health risks, including cancer, PFAS have been detected in water supplies globally, with studies showing that around 97% of people have these chemicals in their bodies.

To address this crisis, regulatory bodies worldwide are considering limits on PFAS levels in drinking water, aiming to reduce the estimated €16 trillion annual costs associated with environmental clean-up and healthcare

To address this crisis, regulatory bodies worldwide are considering limits on PFAS levels in drinking water, aiming to reduce the estimated €16 trillion annual costs associated with environmental clean-up and healthcare.

Puratech, Puraffinity’s cutting-edge absorbent media, integrates seamlessly into existing water treatment systems and can be tailored to target specific PFAS compounds. This allows users to meet various regulatory standards across global markets. Additionally, Puratech is produced using green chemistry principles, which result in 60% lower carbon emissions compared to petroleum-based products, according to Systemiq 2022.

Henrik Hagemann, founder and Chief Product & Innovation Officer at Puraffinity, said: “Attracting such a respected water industry figure as Vincent, alongside investment from BGF underlines not only the progress Puraffinity has already made, but the incredible potential of the business. The new management structure will allow me to focus on accelerating our existing technologies and developing new product roadmaps, confident that Puraffinity’s business development is assured with Vincent as CEO.” 

Vincent Caillaud, CEO of Puraffinity, said: “At Puraffinity, we are delighted to join BGF’s growing network of climate tech start-ups as the company continues on its mission of providing PFAS-safe water to the world. With BGF’s expertise in helping start-ups in breakthrough technologies achieve transformational growth, we look forward to meaningfully expanding our commercial capability and extending the global reach of our patented PFAS-removal solutions.” 

Luke Rajah, investor at BGF, said: “Puraffinity is well-positioned to fulfil its vision of bringing PFAS-safe water to one billion people by 2030. BGF is thrilled to work with Puraffinity as it enters a new phase of rapid, global growth, taking a meaningful step towards enhancing water safety. BGF has developed a strong reputation for identifying and providing early-stage support for companies creating technologies which not only have huge potential but offer huge societal benefits.” 

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Taxonomy

• PFAS