Oxi-Tech Solutions has secured funding from Innovate UK for a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Warwick to develop chemical-free water disinfection technology. The partnership was announced on 4 November 2026 and will begin in 2027.
The work will focus on Oxi-Tech’s patented Pulse Oxidation™ technology. It uses boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes from Element Six to generate disinfecting ozone directly from water and electricity. Oxi-Tech, a UK clean-technology company, said the approach reduces the need for conventional chemical cleaning.
Combining commercial and academic expertise
The project brings together Oxi-Tech’s commercial technology and market experience with Warwick’s expertise in electrochemistry, advanced materials and cell engineering. The partners are targeting industrial water treatment, clean-in-place (CIP) systems and other sectors where operators want alternatives to chemical-intensive disinfection.
The company said its technology is already used in healthcare, food and beverage processing, industrial cleaning and water treatment.
Compact and large-scale product platforms
The programme centres on next-generation product platforms for ozone generation. One strand covers compact technology for smaller, distributed water-treatment systems. Another covers large-scale industrial technology for CIP systems and larger-scale water treatment.
Both strands will include the development and integration of novel materials and designs.
Research priorities: efficiency, cell life and diagnostics
Research will aim to increase ozone-generation efficiency, extend cell life and reduce manufacturing costs. The partners will also introduce electrical diagnostics to monitor performance, detect faults and better understand how the cells degrade.
The aim is to make chemical-free disinfection more accessible, scalable and commercially competitive. The partners are focusing on industries that have traditionally relied on chemical disinfectants and energy-intensive hot-water cleaning.
Chemical-free water disinfection in the clean-in-place market
The global CIP market is estimated in the project documentation at about $10 billion. Oxi-Tech said it sees opportunities to change industrial hygiene practice while reducing chemical consumption, transport requirements, energy use and environmental impact.
Industries face limited water availability, rising energy costs and tighter environmental regulations. The company expects demand for scalable chemical-free water disinfection to increase significantly as manufacturers, utilities and industrial operators look for more sustainable approaches to water management and hygiene.
According to Oxi-Tech, the programme is expected to strengthen UK-based advanced manufacturing, expand its intellectual property and speed up commercialisation of next-generation electrochemical disinfection systems. The company said the partnership supports its ambition to establish Pulse Oxidation™ as an alternative to conventional chemical-based water disinfection.
Role of Element Six as materials partner
Paul Morris, CEO at Oxi-Tech Solutions, said: “The opportunity to work with world leading experts in the field of electrolytic chemistry, and the ability to combine our rapidly developing industry knowledge with Warwicks’ unrivalled technical expertise is too good a chance to miss. We are delighted to have been awarded this grant funding and in conjunction with our materials partner Element Six, this could genuinely create something unique for the UK’s CleanTech industry over the next few years.”
Frequently asked questions
What has Oxi-Tech Solutions been funded to do?
Oxi-Tech Solutions has secured Innovate UK funding for a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Warwick. The partnership will develop its chemical-free water disinfection technology.
How does Pulse Oxidation technology work?
Oxi-Tech’s patented Pulse Oxidation technology uses Element Six boron-doped diamond electrodes to generate disinfecting ozone directly from water and electricity. The company said this reduces the need for conventional chemical cleaning.
When does the Oxi-Tech and University of Warwick partnership start?
The two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership begins in 2027.
What will the research focus on?
The research will focus on increasing ozone-generation efficiency, extending cell life and reducing manufacturing costs. It will also introduce electrical diagnostics to monitor performance, detect faults and understand degradation.
Which markets is the technology aimed at?
The project targets industrial water treatment, clean-in-place systems and other sectors seeking alternatives to chemical-intensive disinfection. The global clean-in-place market is estimated in the project documentation at about $10 billion.
