EIT RawMaterials invests € 0.5 million in Finnish circularity start-up Weeefiner
28.10.2025EIT RawMaterials announced a new investment in Weeefiner, a Finnish start-up pioneering the selective recovery of dissolved metals from industrial wastewater. Its innovative technology offers the mining industry a sustainable and easy-to-implement solution to recover critical raw materials, manage effluent, and reduce environmental impact, turning compliance costs into economic opportunities.
Bernd Schäfer, CEO, Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials, commented: “Weeefiner’s technology is an outstanding example of our focus on groundbreaking innovation that is helping Europe take the lead in creating a truly functioning circular economy. We are proud to support Weeefiner’s growth as part of our portfolio of innovative companies and technologies that are delivering impactful solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the raw materials sector.”
Mikko Hänninen, CEO, Weeefiner, stated: “The continuous support from EIT RawMaterials is invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth. Their extensive network and event platforms will help us increase our visibility and expand our business opportunities. We look forward to receiving strategic guidance and financial advisory services, which will be crucial as we scale our operations and expand our market reach.”
Weeefiner’s proprietary “4D Scavenger®“ technology uses 3D-printed porous filters to selectively capture metals from water streams, with recovery rates of up to 100 %. The solution can transform industrial waste into a secondary raw materials source while cutting the wastewater treatment costs by up to 30 %. According to UN-Water (2024) estimates, only 27 % of industrial wastewater is safely treated globally, highlighting the urgent need and opportunity for scalable, cost-effective solutions like Weeefiner’s to recover valuable materials and mitigate environmental damage.
The investment underscores EIT RawMaterials’ commitment to supporting the EU’s 2030 goals for sustainability, resource efficiency, and raw materials independence. The new funding will enable Weeefiner to refine its technology, optimise production processes, and establish a small-series manufacturing line to meet growing demand. In addition to financial support, EIT RawMaterials will provide strategic advisory services to help Weeefiner enhance its global growth strategies, connect with customers and investors, and accelerate expansion.
