Sofi Filtration has developed a low energy, automated water filter for treating industrial wastewater that requires no chemicals or disposable filters.

The Sofi Filter is a fully-automated micro-filtration system for removing solid particles from industrial wastewater streams. Sofi Filters allow companies with large water requirements such as in the mining, construction or heat and power industries to treat and reuse their wastewater. This ultimately reduces the costs for these companies and the risks of contamination from wastewater streams.

The Sofi Filter is self cleaning, which contributes to longevity, lowers maintenance demands and enhances filtering efficiency. In addition, the filters use no chemicals, and do not require any disposable filtering system alternatives such as cartridges or bags. Sofi Filters consume relatively low levels of energy, requiring 0.05 kWh/m³ of water that is treated. Due to its modular design, the device is easily scalable, ranging in capacity form 0.5 to 280 m³/hr. 

At present, they are targeting firms in developed countries where governments may have introduced tariffs to create an economic incentive to reduce industrial wastewater discharge. For instance, in Finland, companies pay around €3/m³ of water – including the cost of the water and the wastewater discharge cost. Sofi Filtration allows these firms to filter and reuse their wastewater for around 10% of that cost, meaning that the total volume of water they consume is much smaller. As a result of these cost savings, the payback period on the technology is short.

In Europe, heavy industry and energy production account for 40% of total water consumption, which increases competition for other uses such as agriculture and sanitation. Technologies like the Sofi Filter can assist in increasing the proportion of wastewater that is recycled and reused, and help to alleviate the strain on water supply.