Sofi Filtration is a Finnish cleantech company developing pioneering water filtration technology. The ultrasound based self cleaning system captures ultra fine particles down to 0.3μm. It converts wastewater from mines and power plants into a critical supply of raw minerals. EIT RawMaterials is investing €0.9 million to support the expansion of the technology into the raw materials value chain.
Groundbreaking Water Filtration Technology
Sofi Filtration pioneered the world’s first ultrasound based water filtration technology. This self cleaning solution is able to recover low concentrations of raw minerals from industry runoff. The Sofi Prima Technology has operated in power plants and construction sites for over a decade. The company is now targeting the mining industry with its latest Alchemist Filtration. The technology has garnered support from EIT RawMaterials, who have announced an investment of €0.9 million in Sofi Filtration.
Riina Salmimies, CEO of Sofi Filtration said, ‘We are grateful for the commitment of EIT RawMaterials, whose backing allows us to take giant leaps in commercialisation. With this support, we are strengthening our team, building partnerships, and preparing to expand into new markets – from Europe to Türkiye, and soon to North America.’
A Significant Investment
EIT RawMaterials is an innovation network of over 300 partner organisations providing strategic funding to support raw materials technologies. The investment in Sofi Filtration is being provided through two channels. €0.6million is from the EIT RawMaterials ERMA Booster programme and €0.3 million from its Fast Track Programme. Alongside the funding, EIT RawMaterials provides additional support in entrepreneurship coaching, financial and management advisory services.
EIT also recognised Sofi Filtration at the EIT Innovation Awards 2025, awarding it with second place in the venture category. EIT RawMaterials sees the potential in Sofi Filtration as a scalable solution to the sustainable recovery of critical minerals. This is evidenced in the deployment of Sofi Filtration technology by Finnish battery chemicals producer Terrafame. The technology is used to enhance nickel sulphate production at the Sotkamo plant, and helps strengthen the European value chain in battery materials.
Contributing to a Circular Economy
The ultrasound based water filtration technology is able to capture 20% more minerals, as fine as 0.3μm. A resulting benefit is the lower mineral load of industry run-off, reducing associated environmental impact. Removing critical minerals for re-use elsewhere improves the circularity and security of Europe’s supply of these finite resources. Renewable energy technologies in particular rely heavily on critical minerals, highlighting the need for a circular economy. The EIT RawMaterials investment will help Sofi Filtration scale up industrial pilots and expand its international scope in sustainable resource recovery.
Bernd Schäfer, Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials said: ‘Europe cannot afford to waste what it needs to win. As an innovation impact investor, EIT RawMaterials backs technology pioneers like Sofi Filtration. Sofi’s technology turns wastewater into critical mineral supply – accelerating circularity, reducing water use, and strengthening Europe’s security of supply for critical raw materials.’
A Sustainable Solution
Sofi Filtration has developed an ultrasound based water filtration technology to capture critical minerals from industry runoff. Their new Alchemist Technology achieves a 20% higher recovery of ultrafine critical minerals from mining side streams. The EIT RawMaterials investment will promote the expansion of this technology into international value chains. Sofi Filtration aims to support the sustainable recovery of critical minerals essential in the development of the renewable technologies driving the green energy transition.
