Aqua Catalysis: Harnessing the sun to revolutionise wastewater treatment

At Sister, we recognise that innovation is powered by community — like-minded entrepreneurs, scientists and creatives, working side by side to scale world-changing solutions that will shape the way we live. 

Look no further than pioneering start-up, Aqua Catalysis, to see this vision brought to life. Located in our Renold Innovation Hub, they are harnessing the power of the sun to revolutionise the way industrial wastewater is treated. 

On a mission to improve the sustainability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of treatment operations, the business is developing proprietary advanced materials that – when activated by sunlight – can help to break down harmful contaminants found in wastewater. They believe access to clean water is a human right with no exceptions. 

“Our innovative, sustainable process offers a low energy, chemical free solution that delivers clean water while reducing operational costs and environmental impact,” says Luke Marden, Aqua Catalysis’ Founder and CEO. 

To learn more about the start-up’s bold vision and journey so far, we sat down with the Aqua Catalysis team to explore everything from the company’s inspiration to what it’s like being part of Sister. 

Read on to find out more. 

Where did the inspiration for Aqua Catalysis come from?

Aqua Catalysis: "One sunny afternoon, our CEO and Founder, Luke Marden was walking along the riverbank – distracted by his phone – when he tripped and fell into the water. What shocked him more than the fall was the state of the river: murky, foul smelling, and visibly polluted with raw sewage. 

“That moment changed everything. Realising that something needed to be done, he looked up at the sun and thought: What if we could harness this abundant sunlight to clean our water? That simple question led to a powerful idea – using photocatalysis to treat wastewater sustainably. 

“Driven by that vision, Luke founded Aqua Catalysis – a company dedicated to developing cutting-edge, solar-powered photocatalytic solutions to tackle water pollution at its source. We have since developed our 1st generation composite and are now establishing a R&D roadmap which aligns with our IP strategy to provide more structure going forward."

What are Aqua Catalysis’ biggest challenges right now? 

Aqua Catalysis: “We have built an all-star team of academics and business minded professionals, pioneering advanced technologies to address the environmental challenges of tomorrow. Our current focus is on securing investment to help accelerate our growth, scale our operations, and bring our innovative solution to market. 

“This funding will enable us to deliver the social impact we envision while providing an attractive return on investment for our partners.” 

How will Aqua Catalysis evolve in the next year? 

Aqua Catalysis: “We have successfully developed our first generation photocatalyst composite through collaborations with top tier UK universities. Over the next year, our focus will be on advancing our second generation technology – with particular emphasis on enhancing mechanical properties to improve performance and durability. True innovation requires failure, our philosophy is fail in the right direction. We are confident with the right people and funding behind us we can execute our plans to bring real disruptive change. 

“At the same time, we aim to strengthen strategic partnerships with chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical and water treatment companies to position ourselves for long term growth. Bringing together academia and industry to showcase what is possible through collaboration.” 

What do you love most about working in the Sister co-working space? 

Aqua Catalysis: “Being part of the Sister co-working space means being surrounded by inspiring entrepreneurs who are all driven by social impact and a passion for building better solutions. The collaborative atmosphere fosters knowledge sharing, mutual support, and collective growth. 

“It's also an ideal environment to host partners and discuss the exciting roadmap of our start-up, all within a vibrant and forward-thinking community.” 

How has this space helped Aqua Catalysis grow or succeed? 

Aqua Catalysis: “The networking events at Sister have introduced us to many interesting and insightful people who have offered fresh perspectives and valuable advice to help us grow our business. Often, simply engaging in casual conversations leads to unexpected solutions to challenges we’re facing. The supportive community, combined with access to diverse expertise, has been a real catalyst for our progress.” 

Would you recommend this space to other startups? If so, why? 

Aqua Catalysis: "Absolutely! We would highly recommend Sister to start-ups looking to leverage a vibrant ecosystem that fosters growth. It’s a fantastic place to find talent, share knowledge, and build meaningful connections. The location is conveniently close to the train station and makes it easily accessible, and the energetic, supportive staff create a fun and collaborative working environment where everyone is eager to help each other succeed.” 

In one sentence, how would you summarise your experience? 

Aqua Catalysis: “Sister has provided us with an inspiring, collaborative environment full of energy, support, and opportunities that have helped accelerate our growth.”