India’s NoPo Nanotechnologies has been selected for the XPRIZE Water Scarcity Challenge, a $119 million global competition aimed at developing scalable and sustainable seawater desalination solutions, the company said on Tuesday.
The Bengaluru-based startup is the only Indian company in Track A of the contest, which has shortlisted 93 teams worldwide. Track A focuses on breakthrough membrane technologies.
NoPo said it will compete using its proprietary Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) membranes, developed with its industrial-scale HiPCO® process. The company claims the membranes can deliver twice the performance of conventional reverse osmosis systems, with higher water flux, greater energy efficiency, longer lifespan and lower rejection rates.
“Years of research and development have led us to this moment,” Chief Executive Gadhadar Reddy said in a statement. “We believe our nanotube-based desalination membranes can provide an answer that is both scalable and sustainable.”
Founded in 2011, NoPo has focused on producing high-quality carbon nanotubes for commercial applications. Its entry in the XPRIZE challenge marks its first large-scale push into the water sector.
Team perspectives
Chief Business Officer Arunima Patel said the milestone was made possible through research grants, institutional partnerships and community support. “To represent India on such a global stage is an honour, and we are determined to give our very best,” she said.
Chief Scientific Officer Anto Godwin described the selection as validation of a decade of research. “Developing these membranes required breakthroughs in production, functionalization and large-scale membrane drawing. It is immensely satisfying to see those efforts converge into a technology with the power to change lives,” he said.
Director of Technology Robert Kelley Bradley underlined the urgency of the challenge: “Water is absolutely essential for human survival, yet billions still lack access to clean and affordable drinking water. Our technology will now receive the attention and support needed for rapid adoption.”
Global contest
The XPRIZE Water Scarcity Challenge, one of the largest incentive prizes in history, is designed to accelerate innovations in desalination and ensure affordable access to water worldwide. Winners will be awarded from a total pool of $119 million over multiple stages.
NoPo said it is also inviting researchers, partners and volunteers to collaborate. “Together, we can solve water for good,” its leadership team added.
