Puraffinity, a leader in innovative water treatment technologies focused on removing harmful "forever chemicals" such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has announced the appointment of Vincent Caillaud as its new CEO. Caillaud’s appointment coincides with the company securing £6.73 million in funding from BGF, as part of its £16.93 million Series A round.
With over 20 years of experience in the water industry, Caillaud brings extensive expertise to Puraffinity. He previously served as CEO of Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, a division of Veolia, the global leader in water, energy, and waste management. His leadership is expected to drive Puraffinity’s expansion and strengthen its market presence. At the same time, Puraffinity’s founder, Henrik Hagemann, will focus on advancing the company’s technological innovations in his new role as Chief Product and Innovation Officer.
The funding secured in the Series A round, which also involved investors such as Octopus Ventures, HG Ventures, Kindred Capital, Verve Ventures, and the Universal Materials Incubator Co., will support the scaling of production for Puraffinity’s flagship product, Puratech ®, a patented PFAS-absorbing material. The funds will also enable the company to explore new commercial applications for its technology, enhancing its ability to address global water contamination challenges.
Founded in 2015 and originating from Imperial College London, Puraffinity has developed a cutting-edge solution to the worldwide problem of PFAS contamination. Its technology provides a highly effective and affordable method to remove PFAS from water, outperforming traditional treatment processes. These chemicals, developed in the 1940s, are notorious for their resistance to water, grease, and oil, which makes them extremely difficult to break down. Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, and have been detected in drinking water supplies worldwide. Studies indicate that around 97% of people carry these chemicals in their bodies.
As global regulatory bodies consider stricter limits on PFAS in drinking water, Puraffinity is poised to play a key role in mitigating the environmental and health risks posed by these substances. By 2030, the company aims to provide PFAS-free water to one billion people. The continued development and deployment of Puratech will be pivotal to achieving this goal. This innovative absorbent media integrates seamlessly into existing water treatment systems and can be customized to target specific PFAS compounds, ensuring compliance with various global regulatory standards.
Puraffinity’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its production process. Puratech is made using green chemistry principles, resulting in a 60% reduction in carbon emissions compared to petroleum-based alternatives, according to Systemiq 2022.
Henrik Hagemann expressed his enthusiasm about the company’s future, saying, “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.”
Caillaud himself added, “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, an investor at BGF, remarked, “Puraffinity is well-positioned to fulfill 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.”
