Deep Tech Takes: NSS Water
Startup snapshot
Who: NSS Water
Where: Sweden
What: A startup introducing new water purification systems, designed to remove the nano-contaminants that limit yield and waste millions of litres of water every day for semiconductor industries and equipment manufacturers.
Founder: Björn Holmström, CEO
The technology
The chips powering AI, cloud computing, and every modern device are extraordinary but the production is an incredibly delicate process. In advanced manufacturing, each wafer is rinsed again and again, and every step depends on ultra-pure water to prevent defects. At sub-ten nanometres, even a tiny particle becomes a threat which can lower yields.
Traditional ultra-pure water systems were not originally designed for this level of precision. They filter some contaminants well and others poorly. They often rely on complex, multi-step selective filtration, and long distribution lines where particles, metals, or neutral organics can slip back in. The gap between what fabs need and what current systems can deliver continues to grow.
NSS Water has developed Water Enhancement Technology (WET), a modular system using membrane distillation to create ultra-clean Nanopure Water at the point of use. Instead of filtering contaminants one category at a time, their system removes particles larger than five nanometres along with organics, metals, and dissolved gases. This means the Nanopure Water reaches the wafer without travelling through the long pipes where contamination usually reappears.
Where it matters most
WET is a compact system using significantly less water, chemicals and energy. A typical semiconductor fab consumes millions of litres per day. NSS Water can cut that by up to 90%, and early testing suggests energy savings of up to 50% compared to traditional systems. The industries that would benefit from nanopure water include:
Semiconductor manufacturers: advanced logic and memory fabs depend on water leaving nothing behind. Nanopure Water improves results in immersion lithography, post etch cleaning, CMP, and wafer rinsing.
Equipment makers: tool manufacturers can integrate Nanopure Water modules directly into wet benches and cleaning systems. This system can be easily adapted without new chemical recipes or complicated retrofits, giving equipment suppliers a higher-purity process.
Water technology and utility providers: utility providers and water companies can use the technology to support customers who need higher purity with far lower consumption. It’s a way forward to meet increasing regulatory requirements pushing for recycling and reducing water waste.
Why it matters
Water purity is a critical constraint in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. NSS Water’s modular, point-of-use system addresses these challenges at the source.
Higher yield: cleaner wafer surfaces mean fewer defects and a more stable path from early lithography to final test.
Lower water use: point of use purification cuts consumption and reduces pressure on regions facing water scarcity. A single advanced fab can use the daily water needs of 300,000+ people.
Matching regulation requirements: governments are pushing for systems that support recycling, reduced discharge, and more efficient water use. These targets are becoming mandatory across Europe, Asia, and the United States.
What‘s next for NSS Water
With 2 patents approved and 3 pending, NSS Water is moving from lab and pilot tests to full-scale validation in production fabs. The team is working with equipment suppliers to integrate Nanopure Water modules directly into wet benches and cleaning systems. At the same time, they are securing the certifications required for commercial adoption.
By bringing point of use water purification to the most sensitive stages of chip manufacturing, NSS Water aims to help fabs increase yield, cut water consumption, and reduce other types of waste. Details like this are important, especially in industries where success is measured in nanometres.
Connect with NSS Water
To learn more about their work or explore collaboration opportunities, visit their website their LinkedIn, or contact Bjorn at bjorn.holmstrom@nsswater.com.
Join our community
NSS Water is part of INAM’s network of deep tech startups building scalable solutions in advanced materials. INAM connects startups, corporates, and researchers materials innovation reaches the real world application. Learn more about our services here. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news.