Via Separations Raises $36 Million to Expand Membrane Technology Into Refining and Chemicals
Updated
Updated · energy.mit.edu · May 11
Via Separations Raises $36 Million to Expand Membrane Technology Into Refining and Chemicals
7 articles · Updated · energy.mit.edu · May 11
$36 million in new venture funding lifted Via Separations’ total capital to about $80 million, giving the Watertown, Massachusetts startup fresh backing to enter refining and chemicals.
Via says its membrane systems can cut energy use in liquid separations by up to 90% by replacing heat-heavy thermal processes with electrically driven, modular filtration integrated into existing equipment.
The company has so far focused on pulp and paper, where it logged two years of continuous operation at a Canadian mill, and it also completed a pilot at a major refinery last year.
Climate Investment, Aramco Ventures and Marathon Petroleum joined the latest round, underscoring interest from energy-sector investors as Via scales manufacturing capacity and commercial deployments.
Founded in 2017 from MIT-backed research begun in 2012, Via is positioning its technology as a lower-emissions industrial process for much larger global refining and chemicals markets.
As climate tech funding cools, how did one MIT spinoff defy the trend to secure millions for its technology?
With oil giants investing, is this a climate solution or a lifeline for the fossil fuel industry?
Via Separations Raises $36M to Electrify and Decarbonize Industrial Separation Processes
Overview
Via Separations has secured $36 million in new funding to accelerate the commercial deployment of its innovative membrane technology. This investment highlights growing investor commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of heavy industries. The company’s mechanically driven membrane process replaces traditional heat-based separations with modular filtration systems that integrate seamlessly into existing industrial equipment. This approach enables significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions without requiring major infrastructure changes, making industrial operations more sustainable and cost-effective. The funding will help scale up manufacturing and expand the reach of this technology across energy-intensive sectors.