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NPHarvest provides technology recovering vital nutrients:nitrogen and phosphorus:from industrial and agricultural wastewater. Its proprietary process uses hydrophobic membrane stripping for nitrogen and calcium precipitation for phosphorus, yielding high-purity ammonium sulfate and amorphous calcium phosphate. This circular solution efficiently transforms waste streams into valuable fertilizer inputs.
The company began as an Aalto University research project in 2016, then spun off. Co-founders Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen, CEO, and Sara Ikonen, COO, were motivated by insight that economically viable nutrient reclamation from waste was essential. Their ambition focused on capturing nutrients and reducing emissions via scientific methods.
NPHarvest serves wastewater treatment operators, industrial facilities, and animal farms, enabling sustainable waste solutions. It envisions advancing a circular economy by reintegrating recovered nutrients, reducing virgin resource reliance and ecological footprints. They aim to create new value in agriculture via environmentally responsible systems.
NPHarvest has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
NPHarvest has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
NPHarvest has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in April 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2024 | $1M Seed | — | Nordic Foodtech VC | Announced |
NPHarvest has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
NPHarvest's investors include Nordic FoodTech VC.
NPHarvest is a Finnish technology company that has developed a patented hardware solution called the Nutrient Catcher, designed to recover valuable nutrients—primarily nitrogen and phosphorus—from wastewater streams. This technology transforms these nutrients into high-purity ammonia salts and calcium phosphate, which serve as raw materials for fertilizer production. NPHarvest’s solution targets wastewater treatment plants and industries generating nutrient-rich waste, addressing environmental pollution and resource scarcity by enabling circular nutrient recycling. The company’s process is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and modular, allowing scalable deployment across various facilities. NPHarvest has demonstrated strong growth momentum, recently raising €2.2 million in funding to commercialize and scale its technology beyond research stages[1][3][4].
NPHarvest originated as a research project at Aalto University in Finland, focusing on nutrient recovery from waste flows. Founded by Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen, who serves as CEO, the company evolved from academic research into a commercial startup. The idea emerged from the need to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by nutrient loss in wastewater, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen scarcity globally. Early traction included pilot projects demonstrating significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient recovery efficiency, notably in collaboration with the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority. The company’s transition from research to market-ready product was supported by strategic funding rounds and partnerships with Nordic Foodtech VC and Finnish governmental bodies[1][3][5][6].
NPHarvest is positioned at the intersection of circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental technology trends. The global scarcity of phosphorus and nitrogen, coupled with increasing regulatory pressure to reduce nutrient pollution, creates strong market demand for nutrient recycling technologies. The timing is critical as wastewater treatment plants seek cost-effective, sustainable solutions to comply with environmental standards and reduce their carbon footprint. NPHarvest’s technology contributes to closing nutrient loops, reducing reliance on mined fertilizers, and mitigating eutrophication in water bodies like the Baltic Sea. By enabling local nutrient recovery, it supports regional fertilizer security and aligns with broader sustainability and climate goals[1][4][5].
Looking ahead, NPHarvest aims to scale commercial installations across Europe, focusing on markets with large wastewater volumes outside the Nordic region. The company plans to expand the application of its recovered nutrients beyond fertilizers into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Trends shaping its journey include tightening environmental regulations, increasing fertilizer prices, and growing corporate sustainability commitments. As the company matures, it may deepen partnerships with wastewater utilities and fertilizer producers, potentially influencing industry standards for nutrient recovery. NPHarvest’s success could accelerate the adoption of circular nutrient management, positioning it as a key player in sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery[1][4][5].
