NALA Membranes
Overview
NALA Membranes is a technology company headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, focused on developing advanced membrane technology for water purification. Founded in 2018 by Sue Mecham and Judy Riffle, the company has raised a noteworthy amount of funding to develop its chlorine-resistant reverse osmosis membranes. These membranes are designed to provide a more durable and cost-effective solution for the desalination and water treatment industry, addressing issues like biofouling that lead to high operational costs. NALA Membranes has received investments from various sources including the UT Seed Fund and numerous venture capital firms.
Recent Developments
- December 2024: NALA Membranes' CEO Sue Mecham accepted the Grand Breakthrough Prize at the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination (GPID) in Saudi Arabia, recognizing the company's innovative contributions to the desalination sector.
- May 2024: The UT Seed Fund invested $250,000 into NALA Membranes to support the development of its cutting-edge chlorine-resistant membranes, aimed at revolutionizing industrial and municipal wastewater systems.
- 2023-2024: NALA continued to expand its operations with a focus on commercializing its new generation of membranes, targeting both the domestic and international markets for enhanced water treatment solutions.
- July 2022: The company secured $1.5 million in funding aimed at commercializing its chlorine-resistant technology. This round saw participation from investors such as Fulcrum Financial Services and Good Growth Capital.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Morrisville, NC, USA |
| Founders | Sue Mecham and Judy Riffle |
| Revenue | Pre-Revenue |
| Profits | - |
| Key Investors | UT Seed Fund, Fulcrum Financial Services, Good Growth Capital |
| Industry | Water Purification Technology |
| Number of Employees | 11 to 50 |
| Subsidiaries | A subsidiary in Singapore |
Early History
NALA Membranes was founded in 2018 by Sue Mecham, a PhD with extensive experience in polymer science, and Judy Riffle, a professor emerita from Virginia Tech. The company was born from a collaboration with Professor Benny Freeman at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on creating a new polymer that resists chlorine degradation, a common problem in existing membrane technology. Initially operating from the First Flight Venture Center, the company quickly attracted interest due to its promise to solve critical water treatment challenges and secured its first significant grant from the National Science Foundation in 2021.
Company Profile and Achievements
NALA Membranes has developed a business model centered on creating sustainable and cost-reducing innovations in water filtration via reverse osmosis technology. Highlights of their achievement include:
- Game-Changing Innovation: Development of a chlorine-tolerant membrane that promises to reduce biofouling issues in water treatment systems.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with the UT Seed Fund have bolstered the commercialization strategy, facilitating the path towards broader market entry.
- Recognition: International acknowledgment through awards such as the GPID Grand Breakthrough Prize, highlighting the global significance of their technology.
Current Operations and Market Position
NALA Membranes currently operates out of its North Carolina headquarters and has a subsidiary in Singapore, enhancing its global footprint. Their chlorine-resistant membranes are designed to target municipal, industrial, and residential markets where water quality and operational efficiency are critical. The membranes aim to decrease operational costs by 20-30% through enhanced durability and reduced need for pretreatment chemicals. NALA Membranes is positioning itself as a leader in water technology innovation, with a particular focus on areas suffering from water scarcity, offering solutions that could transform water reuse and desalination processes across various sectors.
Conclusion
NALA Membranes stands out as an innovative leader in the field of water treatment technology. Through its groundbreaking development of chlorine-resistant membranes, the company addresses one of the significant challenges in water desalination and reuse, potentially reducing costs and environmental impact. With continued investment and international recognition, NALA Membranes is well-positioned for significant growth in the water purification industry, promising a future that supports both economic viability and environmental sustainability.