Emulsion Flow Technologies

Emulsion Flow Technologies (EFT) is a Japanese startup established in April 2021 as a spin-off from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The company was co-founded by Dr. Hiroshi Suzuki and Dr. Hirochika Naganawa. Dr. Suzuki spent approximately 15 years at the JAEA focusing on neutron science before launching an initiative to advance the social implementation of research, which led to the founding of EFT. Dr. Naganawa has specialized in element separation for over 30 years, during which he developed the core Emulsion Flow technology. Other founders include Tetsushi Nagano and Hideya Suzuki.

EFT commercializes a proprietary solvent extraction process known as 'Emulsion Flow'. This technology was originally developed at the JAEA for separating elements in spent nuclear fuel. It is based on the discovery of a phenomenon where water and oil can mix and separate efficiently, enabling a continuous, one-step solvent extraction process. This contrasts with conventional methods that require distinct mixing, settling, and separating stages.

The company's primary business focuses on two areas: resource circulation and environmental solutions. The main application is the recycling of rare metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The Emulsion Flow process allows for the recovery of these metals with high purity at a lower cost and with higher efficiency than traditional methods, enabling a "horizontal recycling" model where recovered materials can be reused directly in new batteries. The system is modular, compact, and scalable, allowing for a significantly smaller plant footprint compared to conventional technologies. EFT has launched a small-scale demonstration plant to recycle LIBs from electric vehicles and electronic devices.

In the environmental sector, EFT applies its technology to remove pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater. The process can treat water with a wide range of PFAS concentrations and recover over 99.9% of the contaminants. The company's business model includes developing processes, designing plants, and offering custom development services for clients in industries such as metal smelting and chemicals. Having raised approximately $3.15 million over four funding rounds, with its latest Series A in March 2024, EFT is actively expanding its operations and exploring overseas markets.

Keywords: rare metal recycling, solvent extraction, lithium-ion battery recycling, PFAS removal, cleantech, circular economy, resource recovery, sustainable materials, critical metals, wastewater treatment, environmental technology, hydrometallurgy, cobalt recovery, nickel recovery, lithium recovery, modular plants, industrial water treatment, Emulsion Flow, JAEA spin-off, deep tech