Lommel, Belgium, 02 July 2024 - Blue Foot Membranes NV ("Blue Foot"), a leading provider of unique backwashable ultrafiltration membranes for advanced water treatment solutions, proudly announces a total investment of €15 million in its recent funding round.

This includes a €10 million growth stage round secured in December 2023, led by Circular Innovation Fund (CIF), managed by Demeter and Cycle Capital, with participation from existing investors QBIC, LRM, and VITO. Building on this strong foundation, Blue Foot has strengthened its financial backing with an additional €5 million investment from SFPIM (Federal Holding and Investment Company), via the Ecological transition envelope, a delegated mission of the Belgian Federal government, marking SFPIM as the company's second new investor. These investments underscore confidence in Blue Foot's innovative technology and its capacity to meet the rising demand for sustainable wastewater re-use solutions.

In line with this growth and to further strengthen its strategic direction, Blue Foot Membranes is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Campos as an independent director to the board. Carlos brings a wealth of experience in the water industry and will be instrumental in guiding the company's strategic growth.

Blue Foot empowers industries and municipalities to effectively reuse wastewater for high-value applications by providing OEMs with unique membrane technology. Integrated into comprehensive solutions for end customers, this technology supports their goals of reducing water footprint, minimizing CO2 impact, and advancing sustainability efforts.

The Integrated Permeate Channel (IPC®) membrane by Blue Foot is a unique, truly backwashable polymeric flat sheet membrane. Its exemplary properties translate into direct customer benefits, such as very low energy consumption, reduced CO₂ footprint, and the most compact and space-efficient solution. All these factors culminate in a very low and attractive Total Cost of Ownership.

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"As minister I strongly believe in proximity and the availability for everyone to clean water in our Belgian municipalities. With this investment by SFPIM, we are making sure that clean water reaches families across the country by supporting new technologies in wastewater management." stated Vincent Van Peteghem, Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

‍"We are very proud to announce a new important investment for SFPIM within the Ecological transition envelope, a delegated mission of the Belgian federal State.  SFPIM invests 5 million euros  in Blue Foot Membranes. With its unique membrane, Blue Foot Membranes allows industries and municipalities to treat wastewater more efficiently, brings a concrete solution to water scarcity and enhances the transition to a more sustainable and responsible economy.“ said Céline Vaessen, CIO SFPIM.

"With this latest addition to our strong team of shareholders we are closing our capital round as planned. This allows us to execute our vision to accelerate circular water and grow Blue Foot into one of the leading names in the market.”, said Stephan van Hoof, CEO Blue Foot Membranes.

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About Blue Foot Membranes NV

Blue Foot is a technology provider for the water and wastewater industry. Blue Foot provides its unique Integrated Permeate channel (IPC®) to solution providers that require the most compact and energy efficient membrane technology for their membrane bioreactors. The IPC® membrane is a truly backwashable polymeric flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane, offering many end-user advantages.

For more information on Blue Foot please visit www.bluefootmembranes.com

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About SFPIM

The Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) is Belgium’s “Sovereign Wealth Fund”. SFPIM is intent on being a reliable partner for Belgian companies, both SMEs and scale-ups, helping them grow into a reference in their sector by providing “smart capital solutions”. SFPIM also plays an important role in the long-term stability of the Belgian economy by contributing to the anchoring of strategic assets through “smart capital solutions” in promising as well as in established companies or ecosystems.

SFPIM invests in a wide range of companies (more than 170 companies for a balance of 9.7 billion EUR, end 2023) and sectors on which it has historically focused (life sciences, finance and aviation), as well as in new forward-looking sectors (energy & utilities, transport & mobility, impact investing). SFPIM also aims to transform our economy in a sustainable and climate respectful society and manage on behalf of the Federal State, the Ecological transition envelop, 250 million to invest in societies that are active in the transition.  

Visit www.sfpim.be for more information.

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