Turning Pollution Into Profit: How PaniClean is Revolutionizing Water Treatment and Empowering Communities

In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Micah Walker sits down with Joun Lee, the founder of PaniClean, a woman-owned company that originated from the University of Iowa's Chemical Engineering Department. PaniClean is tackling the pressing issue of nitrate pollution, particularly in North America, by developing innovative, economically viable solutions for water purification. The company's roots trace back to Lee's profound experience in India, where she witnessed children playing in visibly polluted water, sparking her commitment to addressing global water crises. With a strong background in electrochemical sciences, Lee and her team have developed a technology that removes nitrates from water and converts them into useful byproducts like ammonia, turning liabilities into assets for local communities and industries. Throughout the podcast, Lee discusses the challenges and triumphs of scaling PaniClean, including the impact of stringent environmental regulations and the importance of customer discovery in shaping their business model. Currently, the company is piloting their technology in Iowa City and plans to expand by targeting industries with significant nitrate waste, such as semiconductors and chemical manufacturing. As PaniClean seeks to raise $2 million to hire a CEO and expand their team, Lee emphasizes the importance of having a complementary leadership structure that allows her to focus on technological development. In closing, Lee expresses gratitude to her supporters at the University of Iowa and her dedicated team, reflecting a strong community spirit and commitment to making a positive environmental impact. Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/joun-lee