Company
3AWater – Trace metal detection for improving industrial water management
Developed by analytical science experts – backed by international investors, commercial experts and technical partners – used by global metal producers.
Our story
3AWater was established by nanotechnology and analytical science experts in January 2019 in Kuopio, Finland. The concept and the first prototype of the 3AWater Multimetal Water Analysis System (MWAS) was developed a few years earlier at the Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, building on decades of combined research that paved the way for this innovation. Read more about our story on our blog.
After incorporating 3AWater, the knowledge, research results and immaterial rights were transferred to the company. 3AWater spent the next three years on research and development to improve the accuracy, reliability, and user experience of the product. We analysed several thousands of water samples and created a comprehensive data set to ensure the reliability and accuracy of our analysis. After intense development, the MWAS was launched at the beginning of 2022. We are proud to say that the usability was optimized to very detail, and we believe this is one of the most user-friendly chemical analysis systems ever build.
The motivation of the founders of 3AWater was to create a concrete and useful product from the years of academic research. We wanted be part of the change for more environmental-friendly society by providing the industry tools to optimize their production while keeping the environmental impact to minimum. The fast, easy and accessible water quality monitoring technology we provide is essential to monitor, regulate and treat industrial waters to prevent pollution of waters, to remediate already polluted waters, and to make sure potable waters are clean and safe for consumption or irrigation.
Values
Sustainability and environmental responsibility
The purpose of 3AWater is to create value to our customers and stakeholders in the domain of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our focus is to help our customers to be part of the change towards more sustainable industrial operations. In addition, we are striving to make our own operations more sustainable and demand environmental responsibility from our subcontractors and partners.
Reliablity
Reliability is the key aspect of any analytical tool. This includes both reliability of the analysis results and minimizing other sources of errors, including human errors. Our philosophy behind the technical development is that anyone should be able to make the reliable analysis in any conditions without extensive training, frequent calibrations, blank measurements, rinsing and cleaning steps and other maintenance work typically involved with analytical equipment.
Trust
We understand the value and risks involved in the water quality data produced by our products. The confidentiality of any such data is our priority. Our customers can choose whether they want to use the IoT connectivity and data transfer to external cloud service or to only store the data locally.
Collaboration
We are aiming for long term customer relations and want to ensure the best experience for our customers. Industrial waters can vary significantly which can make the on- site, as well as laboratory analyses, quite complex. Therefore, we always want to make sure our systems work well with customers’ waters and fulfil their specific needs. We are willing to go the extra mile to offer the best possible performance for each customer.
Scientific knowledge
Scientific knowledge – We are scientists who believe in education and open communication. Therefore, we are publishing our scientific work related to our technology with our academic collaborators, releasing educational blog posts and collaborate with universities and educational centres. You can find an open access publication about early prototype of our product here:
Quality policy
3AWater provides real-time water quality monitoring technology for mining and metal industries enhancing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of their water related operations. The needs and expectations of our customers and other stakeholders are identified and considered in our processes. The sustainability is considered in our daily operational activities.
Everyone at 3AWater is committed to comply with laws and regulations and the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015 standard. We are expecting the same from our supply chain and subcontractors. Adherence to the requirements will be ensured by internal and external audits.
Our strategic aims and operational objectives are set and communicated to stakeholders in a clear and understandable way. We have procedures, which allow everybody to take part in our continuous improvement of process and daily activities.
Scope of quality system – 3AWater develops, produces, markets, and sells water quality monitoring technology and offers after sales services for it. All processes and activities fulfil ISO 9001 requirements.
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Tuomo Nissinen
CEO & Co-Founder
PhD in applied physics from the University of Eastern Finland. Commercializing the 3AWater technology since 2017 and working as a full-time CEO of the company since 2019. His tasks include managing day to day operations and ensuring the fulfilment of long-term goals. With deep knowledge of both the technical and commercial side of the business, he manages the finances and partnerships as well as provides technical knowledge to the sales efforts and users.
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Joakim Riikkonen
CTO, Co-Founder & Board Member
PhD in applied physics from the University of Eastern Finland and a solid academic background in nanotechnology and analysis techniques. He has been involved in the technical development of 3AWater technology since the first laboratory experiments. His job is to ensure high quality of the product, continuous development of the technology, and to help customers get the most out of their purchase.
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Vesa-Pekka Lehto
Chairman of the board, Co-Founder
Professor of materials physics at the University of Eastern Finland and the leader of his research group. He has published high level scientific articles and secured several millions of external research funding. At 3AWater, he works as the scientific and technical advisor as well as the chair of the board.
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Bernhard Münzing
Board Member & investor
Angel investor, successful and innovative entrepreneurial pioneer with more than 20 years of experience in business development, market positioning, product management and international account management in chemical industry.
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Lauri Hartikainen
Board Member & investor
Co-founder of Pointscene acquired by the ARKANCE group, where he is currently Vice President of Go-To-Market. His expertise in channel and sales development, combined with his strategic approach to international go-to-market building, makes him a valuable board member of 3AWater.
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Tommi Tiihonen
Technology expert & Co-Founder
MSc degree from the University of Eastern Finland and technical expert in 3AWater. He has expertise in X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and traditional laboratory technologies. Tommi has also passion for computer science, and he has worked a lot with 3AWater’s calibration algorithms and prototyping.