London, Ontario, has long been a hub for innovation, and cleantech company Renix embodies this spirit by revolutionizing liquid separation processes for companies across the world.
Founded with the vision of making industrial processes more sustainable, Renix has developed a game-changing platform, RenixUIX™, that is reshaping industrial processes from agrifood to water management.
Renix specializes in ion-exchange technology, a process used to separate and purify valuable compounds in liquids. Unlike conventional batch-based methods, the RenixUIX™ platform operates in a "steady state," allowing for stable, highly efficient processing.
"This conversion results in a constant operating environment, which supports stable, flexible, and efficient operations," says Christine Haas, president and CEO of Renix. “With a population heading in the direction of 10 billion we have just one source of resources (our planet) to provide everything we need – from our food, water, personal and health care, to the metals and minerals needed for our homes, infrastructure, power, and electronic devices.”
The technology has proven its value across a variety of industries. One notable success story involves a U.S. food producer that saw nearly a fivefold increase in productivity after implementing the RenixUIX™ platform back in 2020. Similarly, in collaboration with a European ethanol producer, Renix demonstrated groundbreaking improvements in water management and soluble protein recovery that was high in both purity and yield.
While Renix's impact is global, its foundation remains deeply rooted in London, Ont. The city has provided a fertile environment for the company’s growth, offering a network of academic and industry partnerships.
"In addition to having all of our head office, lab, and pilot services located here at The Grove at Western Fair District, we work collaboratively with Western University and Fanshawe College," says Haas.
Local support has been instrumental in Renix’s success. Organizations such as Bioindustrial Innovation Canada and the Southwestern Ontario Angel Group played a key role in the company's early development.
"These early supporters were essential, not only in providing seed funding but also in offering critical advice and guidance during the early years," says Haas.
As Renix has scaled, strategic investments have helped accelerate commercialization. One of the most pivotal moments came when ClonBio Group Limited became a major stakeholder.
"ClonBio understands the type of business we wanted to be in and has been invaluable in helping us clarify our focus, develop our team, and bring large-scale projects to execution," says Haas.
Renix’s contributions to the cleantech sector have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the company received the Innovative Water Treatment Technology Award at IFAT Brazil, a leading global trade fair for environmental technologies.
"Winning an award at IFAT is a significant achievement,” says Haas. “It signifies outstanding innovation, sustainability, and effectiveness in addressing industrial challenges.”
Looking ahead, Renix is positioning itself at the forefront of the circular economy movement, where industrial processes are designed to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste.
"Our platform can play a crucial role in these types of processes, particularly in recovering fit-for-use water and valuable compounds, turning waste into opportunity," says Haas.
By continuing to develop value recovery processes in the agri-food, mining, and water management sectors, Renix remains committed to driving sustainable innovation from its home base in London. With a strong foundation, strategic partnerships, and award-winning technology, Renix is not just adapting to the future of cleantech—it is helping to define it.
