Weeefiner Achieves Precision Element Extraction with EOS-Enabled 4D Scavenger™ Technology
Material Recovery & Industrial Water Treatment
In a world increasingly defined by the need for sustainable solutions, the ability to extract valuable resources from industrial waste streams has become both a technological challenge and an environmental imperative. At the forefront of this transformation is Finnish innovator Weeefiner, whose groundbreaking 4D Scavenger™ technology is redefining how industries recover critical materials from water and improve the utilization of production byproducts. But achieving this level of precision and efficiency required more than just a brilliant idea backed by university research — it demanded equally advanced manufacturing equipment capable of scaling to the needs of heavy industrial use.
By combining reliable EOS’ polymer 3D printing solutions with a radical new approach to filtration, Weeefiner has not only tackled a complex production hurdle but also opened the door to a more circular, cost-effective, and sustainable industrial future.
"The scalability of 3D printing in industrial-scale material recovery is not just about the technology itself, but also about the vision and adaptability of the organizations that implement it. Together with our partners, we are setting the standard for what’s possible in this field. This partnership is making selective material recovery possible at an unprecedented scale and could change how industries think about waste forever."
Mikko Hänninen, Chief Executive Officer at Weeefiner
Challenge
Weeefiner's primary challenge was to find a manufacturing method capable of producing the detailed and precise internal architectures essential for their 4D Scavenger™ technology. This technology employs 3D-printed, chemically porous polymer filters designed to recover even minute concentrations of materials from industrial waters.
Established manufacturing methods did not offer the requisite design freedom or precision for these filter structures. The objective was to introduce a more cost-effective and sustainable method for treating industrial waters and recycling raw materials, thereby enabling these practices in industries where they were previously limited or unused. Weeefiner required a dependable and scalable manufacturing solution to translate their chemical processes into effective filter components.
Solution
From the project's inception, Weeefiner identified additive manufacturing as the most suitable solution, recognizing its capacity to produce structures with the necessary internal geometries. The tailored combination of physical and chemical properties provide unprecedented performance in dissolved metal recovery. The choice of an EOS P 396 machine was guided by the positive experiences of trusted partners, the consistent reliability of EOS technology, and confidence in its scalability for industrial-level material recovery.
Crucially, EOS’s process adaptation capabilities were another vital part of the solution. This support was essential for Weeefiner to determine the optimal process parameters, as well as recoating and laser exposure strategies for 3D printing the parts. That’s why EOS will continue to support Weeefiner in further optimizing the process for even better output and a higher number of parts to meet the specific needs of other industries.
A key aspect of Weeefiner's sustainable approach involves utilizing 100% used PA 2200 powder — polymer material left over from previous builds that would typically be considered waste. Remarkably, parts produced with this entirely recycled powder on their two EOS machines meet all required properties. This efficient reuse of material is central to their operational strategy.
EOS 3D printing technology allowed Weeefiner to create the chemically active, uniformly porous filters that form the core of their 4D Scavenger™ system. This manufacturing approach facilitates the specific structural and functional design modifications needed to target and extract distinct components from complex material mixtures, an outcome not practically attainable with other technologies.
"3D printing has the incredible potential to revolutionize recovery of critical raw materials, but it requires both cutting-edge technology from manufacturers like EOS and a forward-thinking approach from organizations like ours. When these elements align, we can scale solutions that were once unimaginable."
Mikko Hänninen, Chief Executive Officer at Weeefiner
Indoor Skid
Its compact size and modular design allow for seamless integration with existing production or waste management systems.
Outdoor Container
The recovery and water treatment system is housed in a shipping container, making it easy to transport and deploy.
Container with Units
Copy
Results
EOS additive manufacturing has been a decisive factor in realizing the capabilities and adaptability of Weeefiner's 4D Scavenger™ technology. This manufacturing method enables efficient material recovery, even from very low concentrations. Additionally, it introduces a more economical approach to processing industrial water, because the recovered materials generate new revenue. That allows companies to reach their environmental goals because the wastewater becomes less toxic. Previous projects have demonstrated that the return on investment for Weeefiner systems can be remarkably short, in some cases down to half a year or less, depending on the specific application and scale.
A distinct technical outcome is the high selectivity of the 4D Scavenger™ filters, which can recover specific critical and high-demand raw materials with up to 100% selectivity. Furthermore, the concentrated raw materials acquired are frequently ready for reuse without needing further processing or refining.
For example, copper recovery from a mining operation demonstrates the significant financial and environmental benefits of the 4D Scavenger™ technology, achieving an additional recovery of metals worth millions of euros annually and with notable cost compared to metal market price. This is coupled with lower wastewater treatment costs leading to less than one year return on investment.
The commitment to sustainability is further exemplified by the successful use of 100 % reused PA 2200 powder. This innovative approach to material utilization not only maximizes resource efficiency but also contributes to a notable reduction in environmental impact because material consumption is the main contributor. A production of eight parts in a 22 h build with green energy and the use of virgin powder results in emissions of 108.23 kg CO₂ eq. By contrast, using reused powder reduced emissions to just 15.6 kg CO₂ eq., representing a remarkable 86 % reduction. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of one part is less than 2 kg CO₂ eq.
To put this into perspective: the CO₂ savings of 92.63 kg are roughly equivalent to avoiding a 740 km drive in a gasoline-powered car, or approximately 6.5 hours of air travel per person. These figures highlight the critical role material choice plays in lowering the carbon footprint of additive manufacturing. Implementing recycled powder not only supports circular economy principles but also offers a concrete, measurable step toward more sustainable production.
This practice makes sustainable water treatment and raw material recycling a more viable and responsible option. The technology developed initially for filtering metals out of wastewater in the mining industry shows significant promise for scalability into other sectors, including the chemical, medical, and food industries, offering a versatile solution for resource recovery and waste reduction across diverse applications.
- 86 % product carbon footprint reduction using used material
- ROI typically within 6 months, sometimes sooner
- up to 100% selectivity in critical raw material recovery
- 100 % reused PA 2200 powder significantly cuts waste
- 4D Scavenger™ technology uses unique 3D-printed chemically active, porous filters
- concentrated raw materials often suitable for reuse without further processing
- more economical and sustainable industrial water treatment and material recycling
- used in mining, metallurgy, and process industries
- specific mining case: copper recovery worth millions of euros annually, with notably lower production cost compared to the metal market price
About the Company
Weeefiner Oy
Weeefiner is a Finnish technology company focused on innovative water treatment and material recovery solutions. The company offers solutions for refining industrial processes and efficiently using production by-products. Their story originated from university research that led to the 4D Scavenger™ technology. Weeefiner was established to advance this technology, which has since been applied to numerous elements and various fields, including mining, metallurgy, and process industries. Learn more: https://www.weeefiner.fi
