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Tekniikka & Talous: 3AWater Cuts Water Analysis Time from Days to Minutes – Gains Major Copper Producer as Customer

Written by:Tuomo Nissinen | Published at:

In a recent Tekniikka & Talous magazine article, Finnish startup 3AWater was recognized for bringing game-changing speed and simplicity to water quality analysis in the metal industry.

Traditionally, measuring metal concentrations in water involves sending samples to a lab—a process that takes 1–3 days. 3AWater’s portable Multimetal Water Analysis System (MWAS) shortens this to just 15 minutes, directly on-site.

“Any process moving thousands of cubic meters of metal containing water in a short time is a potential customer,” says CEO Tuomo Nissinen.

The system enables industrial sites—such as mines, smelters, refineries, and steel mills—to quickly adjust treatment processes or determine whether water can be safely discharged into the environment.

A person in a bright yellow jacket kneels in the snow, working with equipment in an open black case, surrounded by a snowy landscape.
Copyright: 3AWater

⚙ Fast, Flexible, and Field-Proven

MWAS currently supports analysis of 11 metals, but customers need only the few ones relevant to their operations—making it more affordable. Typical focus metals include nickel and arsenic, both toxic at low concentrations and commonly found in soil and ores.

While Finland is home to a strong metal industry, 3AWater has operated internationally from the start. Deliveries have been made to France, Germany, the UK, and now the company has secured its most high-profile customer yet:

🔹 Aurubis, Europe’s largest copper producer with €17 billion in revenue and over 7,000 employees, published working with 3AWater in January 2025. Their Hamburg site discharges water directly into the city center—so fast, accurate water monitoring is critical.

🧪 What Sets 3AWater Apart?

Despite competition, 3AWater stands out with:

• Reliable, easy-to-use technology

• Full-service delivery and fast onboarding (users can be trained in ~1 hour)

• Flexible acquisition models, including monthly subscriptions (15, 30 or 90 analyses/month) or a one-time device purchase (~€35,000)

With deep roots in applied physics research at the University of Eastern Finland, the company combines scientific credibility with real-world industrial value.