Bringing waste to life
WA3RM brings waste to life by connecting industries that want to put their waste streams to better use, with entrepreneurs that benefit from accessible energy and raw materials in different forms. This circular system also nurtures other possibilities, such as more local jobs, self-sufficient food production and, of course, a healthier future for all of us.
Vision
Build a world where progress is based on sustainable circularity
It’s about physical buildings and structures. But also a new way of thinking. We design and construct regenerative systems and introduce a path to circularity – ultimately building a new world where advancements and developments focus on improvements for people, businesses, societies and our planet. We strive for optimal circularity where nothing goes to waste and there are no harmful emissions.
The accelerating climate change and sustainability challenges in society are realities we can’t afford to ignore. To secure a sustainable future on this planet we must change our way of take-make-waste, right now. This calls for innovations that can make impact at scale. Like how we design and develop industrial production.
Our story
Inspired by our background in cyclical systems, and the key principles: Responsible, Renewable and Recyclable, we created WA3RM. By flipping the perspective on industrial waste, such as CO2, surplus heat and sludge as a costly problem, we found the key to a new business model where waste becomes a valuable resource.
More so, this is a model that can be used anywhere in connection with industrial production. To make the positive impact on climate change that we desire, we encourage others to follow our example. Only together can we build a thriving world where progress is based on sustainable circularity.
Photo: Perry Nordeng/ESS
Our research have also been published on different platforms where Nature is one of them, for full list see Reference and publications. One of the key deliverables from ESS energy division was the Energy design report, download here.
Workshop and publications
During our time at ESS, together with ERF and CERN, we founded “Workshop Energy for Sustainable Science” which is being held biannually to share and improve the work towards sustainable research facilities.
The WA3RM business concept is to capture waste streams from major industries and use these to create regenerative, often food-producing businesses where the circular element is dominant. Climate change and sustainability-related challenges require real, rapid, and decisive action in the form of industrial-scale solutions.
Business concept
Turning waste streams into a profitable business
WA3RM’s projects are based on proven technology and established solutions for utilizing waste heat on a large scale. We also focus on the abatement of CO2 emissions by utilizing residual industrial waste heat to create great positive impacts for the climate, our partner industries, our investors and society. And since this is a profitable deal at all levels, our solution will have long-lasting effect.
Beginnings
It all began with Big Science
The WA3RM team was first formed at the European Spallation Source (ESS) Energy Division, tasked with delivering a sustainable research facility, that was energy efficient, only used renewable energy and recycled waste heat. The “3R” in WA3RM comes from the energy concept “Responsible, Renewable, Recyclable” of the ESS. This 3R energy concept revolutionized energy thinking in Big Science. WA3RM’s mission is to bring that revolution to industry.
On June the 30th 2015 the ESS energy division closed as planned, on time, on budget and with a cost reduction of more than 30 % on the energy bill, going from annual 15 M€ to 10 M€.
WA3RM was founded shortly after, as a spin-off from ESS continuing to offer the industry an incredible tool to achieve significant positive sustainability impact across the value chain.
Our research has also been published on different platforms, including Nature. For the full list see publications. One of the key deliverables from ESS energy division was the Energy design report.
One of our core values is ‘no time to waste’. Apart from capturing the sense of urgency that guides our actions; it also reflects our ambition to keep a tight and dedicated organization. We encourage all visionary ideas on how to address the challenges of our planet, at the same time as we strive to make our concrete plans a reality as soon as possible. That’s why we also have a management team that is focused on getting things done sooner rather than later.
Our management team
Tight and dedicated organization
Jacques Ejlerskov
CEO
Education: Master in Political Science with a major in Environmental Economy from the University of Copenhagen Professional background: Jacques has worked for more than 20 years in c-level management and positions in professional board, including as Program Director in the merger between Biogen and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotech. Born: 1970 Nationality: Danish
Ingrid Schuster
Head of PMO
(Project Management Office)
Education: Master in Civil Engineering from the University of Lund and additional training in Business Administration and leadership. Certified Project Manager (PMP) according to PMI. Professional background: Ingrid has 20+ year’s experience of international Project and Portfolio Management. Most recently at Sweden’s second largest real estate company, Akademiska Hus. Born: 1976 Nationality: Swedish
Niklas Rydberger
Head of Communication & Sustainability
Education: Bachelor in Business Administration and Political Science from the University of Lund. Professional experience: Niklas has more than 25 years of experience from management consulting and corporate finance at EY as well as financial communication in the City of London. His most previous positions include Head of office at two of Sweden’s leading communication agencies. Born: 1968 Nationality: Swedish
Therese Jönsson
Head of Legal Affairs
Education: Master of Law from the University of Örebro Professional experience: Therese has 10+ year’s experience within M&A, corporate law and commercial contracts. Her previous positions include Head of Legal at Haldex AB and the Energy Division at Alfa Laval AB. Born: 1985 Nationality: Swedish
Purpose
Bringing waste to life
Our purpose is to bring waste to life. We want to enable and nurture growth and new possibilities; technologically as well as financially. Most people view unwanted materials or byproducts as problems, unnecessary costs or inconveniences. We see waste streams as valuable, untapped resources. And we want to make the best use of waste to create a regenerative system that as life itself is cyclical – to safeguard life on this planet, vitalize local communities and secure a sustainable future.
WA3RM AB owns the WA3RM Fund Management AB, and the Regenergy special purpose vehicles. The WA3RM Fund Management is a limited liability company created with the purpose of managing the investments to develop, build, and manage the approved Regenergy Project. Every project is named after the locality where the production facility is built. Once a project has been approved, WA3RM creates a special purpose vehicle for developing each physical project.
Organization
WA3RM, Regenergy & Fund Management
In 2022 Q2 the WA3RM Regenergy Development Fund I opened for investments, and with an investment of 200 M€, it partially financed Regenergy Frövi during 2022 – 2023, located in Lindesberg Municipality in Sweden.
Our Board of Directors: Jacques Ejlerskov / Chairman, Per Frederiksen, Thomas Parker, Gunnar Hagman, Thomas Andersen
Jacques Ejlerskov
CEO
Education: Master in Political Science with a major in Environmental Economy from the University of Copenhagen Professional background: Jacques has worked for more than 20 years in c-level management and positions in professional board, including as Program Director in the merger between Biogen and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotech. Born: 1970 Nationality: Danish
Jakob Westerström
COO
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Human Resources from the Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE), Switzerland Professional background: With two decades in the hotel and service industry, Jakob has worked across diverse locations such as the Caribbean, Middle East, London, and Africa. He has held prominent managerial positions, including roles as Hotel Manager and General Manager. Born: 1981 Nationality: Swedish
Thomas Parker
Head of Market & Technology Development
Education: Master in Engineering Physics from the Lund Institute of Technology (LTH), Licentiate of Engineering and a Doctorate of Engineering in Industrial Environmental Economics from IIIEE in Lund. Professional background: Thomas has 30 year’s experience from different leading positions, including CEO of Lund Energy. Thomas also headed up the Energy Division of the European Spallation Source (ESS). Born: 1966 Nationality: Swedish/American
Niklas Rydberger
Head of Communication & Sustainability
Education: Bachelor in Business Administration and Political Science from the University of Lund. Professional experience: Niklas has more than 25 years of experience from management consulting and corporate finance at EY as well as financial communication in the City of London. His most previous positions include Head of office at two of Sweden’s leading communication agencies. Born: 1968 Nationality: Swedish
Therese Jönsson
Head of Legal Affairs
Education: Master of Law from the University of Örebro Professional experience: Therese has 10+ year’s experience within M&A, corporate law and commercial contracts. Her previous positions include Head of Legal at Haldex AB and the Energy Division at Alfa Laval AB. Born: 1985 Nationality: Swedish
Fredrik Indebetou
Deputy CEO
Education: Social Science, Lund University Professional experience: 25+ years of experience as an entrepreneur focusing on early-stage development, innovation and scale-up within IT, energy, and sustainable manufacturing. Fredrik had a leading role in the development and implementation of the sustainability strategy at ESS. Born: 1972 Nationality: Swedish
Kristian Bennetsen
CFO
Education: MBA In International Banking and Finance, The University of Birmingham Professional experience: 17+ years of international finance and investment management. Before WA3RM, Kristian co-founded Roslin Technologies, was at Emirates NBD Private Banking in Dubai and worked as an equity analyst at Bloomberg. Before finance he ran farming- and feed milling operations in Denmark and the USA. Born: 1977 Nationality: Danish