Swiss start-up Oxyle has secured $16 million in seed funding to expand its revolutionary water treatment technology, which effectively destroys harmful PFAS chemicals. The funding round, led by 360 Capital with participation from Axeleo Capital and existing investors Founderful and SOSV, builds on a pre-seed investment of $3 million in 2022. The company aims to use this fresh capital to scale its technology and secure multi-year treatment contracts.

PFAS, also known as "perpetual chemicals," are found in everyday products such as non-stick cookware and firefighting foam, posing significant risks to water supplies worldwide. Unlike conventional methods that only filter or transfer PFAS to other waste streams, Oxyle’s system completely eliminates these toxic substances. The technology achieves destruction rates of over 99% while consuming 15 times less energy than existing alternatives. By combining foam fractionation, catalytic destruction, and machine learning, Oxyle provides real-time monitoring and optimization without the need for time-consuming lab tests.

"Five years ago, we were a small team with a big idea: to rid water of harmful chemicals. Today, this idea is a reality. The current funding allows us to get our technology into the hands of those who need it most - be it in industry or in communities worldwide," explains Dr. Fajer Mushtaq, CEO and co-founder of Oxyle.

The effectiveness of Oxyle's technology has been demonstrated across multiple applications. In groundwater treatment, PFAS concentrations have been reduced from 8,700 ng/l to below 14 ng/l. The system has achieved a 99.8% removal rate for 11 different PFAS types in soil washing water and successfully eliminated 98% of short-chain PFAS in industrial trials. In November 2024, Oxyle commissioned a large-scale facility in Switzerland that processes 10 cubic meters of contaminated groundwater per hour using less than 1 kWh/m³.

Founded by Dr. Mushtaq and Dr. Silvan Staufert at ETH Zurich, Oxyle has rapidly progressed from research to commercial application. The company now employs 26 people, has completed over 20 customer projects, and has received prestigious accolades such as the Swiss Technology Award and the SEIF Tech for Impact Award. Additionally, Oxyle is recognized as a World Economic Forum UpLink Top Innovator. With its first revenue-generating pilot projects and commercial plant in operation, the company is establishing itself as a leader in water treatment.

"We are proud to lead the investment in Oxyle, whose breakthrough technology addresses the massive global challenge of PFAS pollution," says Thomas Nivard, Partner at 360 Capital. "Unlike traditional methods that merely contain these harmful chemicals, Oxyle permanently destroys them, setting a new standard for addressing this pressing environmental crisis. Oxyle is a true game changer. The team's exceptional commercial and technical momentum has created a strong foundation to establish a true technology leader in the coming years."

The need for Oxyle’s solution is greater than ever, with mounting PFAS-related lawsuits and costly settlements in the U.S. forcing companies to take preventative action. Stricter regulations in both the EU and U.S. are also increasing demand for innovative solutions that ensure compliance and reduce liability risks. According to studies by the Forever Lobbying Project, inaction on PFAS could lead to cleanup costs of €100 billion annually in Europe alone, potentially reaching €2 trillion over the next two decades.

Oxyle has set an ambitious goal of treating 100 million liters of contaminated water within the next five years. The company plans to deploy its technology across industries, including chemical manufacturing, consumer goods, semiconductor production, and municipal water treatment. By continuing to expand its capabilities and workforce, Oxyle is poised to play a crucial role in eliminating PFAS from water supplies—down to the last drop.