Cellfion

About Cellfion

Cellfion is a Swedish materials science company that develops and manufactures sustainable, wood-derived membranes for the clean energy sector. Founded in August 2021 by CEO Liam Hardey, the company spun out of more than a decade of research at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, and RISE research institutes. Cellfion's core product is an ion-selective membrane made from nanocellulose, designed as a critical component for electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices.

The company's primary business is providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional membranes, which are often fossil-based and contain toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As regulations, particularly in the European Union, move to restrict PFAS, Cellfion is positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance alternatives. The membranes' properties, such as ion conductivity and mechanical integrity, can be customized for specific applications. The production process is inspired by traditional papermaking, where cellulose nanofibrils are extracted from wood, chemically modified, and pressed into membranes.

Cellfion's business model focuses on the sale of its membranes and nanoparticle dispersions. It serves clients in the hydrogen, battery, and ion-separation industries. Key application markets include redox flow batteries for large-scale energy storage, electrolyzers for green hydrogen production, and fuel cells. The company collaborates with partners like organic flow battery specialist Rivus Batteries to develop fully sustainable energy storage systems. Since its inception, Cellfion has secured multiple rounds of funding, including a €1.3 million seed round in 2022 from investors like Almi Invest Green Tech and Voima Ventures, and a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council in 2024.