Electramet

ElectraMet, legally known as PowerTech Water Inc., was established in 2014 by co-founders Dr. Cameron Lippert and Dr. James Landon. Their journey began at the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), driven by a shared frustration with the inefficiencies of conventional water treatment methods. Lippert, with a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Georgia Institute of Technology and experience in managing multi-million dollar R&D projects, and Landon, who now serves as CTO, leveraged their expertise in electrochemistry to develop a new approach. The company's initial development was supported by local pitch competitions, funding from the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, and investments from the Bluegrass Angels.

The firm operates in the environmental services and machinery sectors, providing a water treatment technology platform for industrial clients. Its business model centers on selling and implementing advanced wastewater treatment systems that enable clients to meet discharge compliance, improve product purity, and enhance profitability. ElectraMet serves a diverse industrial client base, including semiconductor manufacturing, medical device production, defense, EV battery recycling, and mining. Revenue is generated through the sale of these systems, which includes feasibility testing, pilot installations, and full-scale implementation designed for integration into existing facilities.

ElectraMet's core offering is an automated, electrochemical water treatment system that uses tailored carbon electrode technology to selectively remove and recover metals and other impurities from industrial wastewater. Unlike traditional chemical precipitation processes, this technology avoids the use of coagulants and flocculants, thereby eliminating sludge production and the associated handling and disposal costs. The system can be tuned to target specific metals like copper, lead, manganese, and others, removing them with over 99% selectivity and recovering them as high-grade solid plates that can be sold, creating a new revenue stream for clients and fostering a circular economy. Key features include a compact footprint, real-time analytics for process control, and scalability. The automated nature of the system reduces reliance on staff and lowers operational costs.

Keywords: wastewater treatment, metal recovery, electrochemistry, industrial water purification, circular economy, copper recovery, sludge elimination, heavy metal removal, semiconductor wastewater, battery recycling water treatment, sustainable water management, automated water systems, environmental technology, process water, impurity removal, cleantech, resource recovery, industrial effluent treatment, water-intensive industries, compliance solutions