What Exactmer does

Exactmer is a UK-based deep tech spinout, headquartered in Dagenham and founded in 2018, specializing in advanced polymer synthesis with two distinct product platforms. Its core technology is PLIMs (Polymer Membranes with Locked Intrinsic Microporosity), a new class of ultrathin polymer membranes that selectively separate complex hydrocarbon mixtures with up to 10x higher permeance than existing state-of-the-art membranes while maintaining high selectivity. In validated testing with Arabian Extra Light crude oil alongside SINOPEC, the technology achieved 99.8% heavy hydrocarbon removal and 93% reduction in sulphur-containing compounds, offering an energy-efficient alternative to conventional thermal distillation in oil refining.

The company is extending its polymer chemistry capabilities into a second platform: high purity bio-based solvents for pharmaceutical manufacturing, developed through a UK consortium funded by an Innovate UK grant of over £7 million, targeting at least 60% greenhouse gas emission reduction versus conventional solvent production. Exactmer operates a B2B licensing and co-development model, distributing technology through direct enterprise partnerships and consortium-based collaborations rather than traditional product sales channels. Its GTM motion is enterprise field sales targeting oil & gas and pharmaceutical manufacturing verticals, supported by roll-to-roll manufacturing demonstrated for industrial deployment.

Leadership combines academic research pedigree with emerging commercial discipline: co-founders Andrew Livingston (CEO) and Piers Gaffney (CSO) anchor the scientific platform, while Cristina Bertulli serves as VP of Business Development and Operations. The company is supported by multiple UK university research partnerships and has secured non-dilutive funding from both the EIC Accelerator and Innovate UK, positioning it as an early-stage but well-capitalized deep tech venture advancing sustainable industrial chemistry.

Name

Exactmer

Legal name

Exactmer

Website

https://exactmer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Exactmer is a UK deep tech spinout developing PLIMs polymer membranes for energy-efficient hydrocarbon separation and bio-based solvents for low-carbon pharmaceutical manufacturing, serving oil & gas and pharmaceutical enterprises through licensing and consortium partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Membrane Technology

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (325199)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Industrial Solvents (IMAEAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bio-based Polymers & Resins (PLA, PHA, bio-PE, bio-PET, cellulose acetate) (IMAMALAC)

Keywords

• Polymer membranes
• Hydrocarbon separation
• Oligonucleotide synthesis
• Bio-based solvents
• Membrane technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Dagenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membrane Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary PLIMs membrane technology for hydrocarbon processing applications in oil & gas industry.
2. Bio-based Solvents Technology: Technology development and industrialization of low-greenhouse gas solvents for pharmaceutical manufacturing through consortium partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Exactmer develops and manufactures PLIMs (Polymer Membranes with Locked Intrinsic Microporosity), ultrathin polymer membranes for rapidly and selectively separating complex hydrocarbon mixtures as an energy-efficient alternative to thermal distillation in crude oil refining. The company is also industrializing high-purity bio-based solvents for pharmaceutical medicines manufacturing through a consortium-led program targeting substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Product overview

Exactmer is a UK-based deep tech spinout offering two primary product lines: PLIMs (Polymer Membranes with Locked Intrinsic Microporosity) for energy-efficient hydrocarbon separation in crude oil refining, and high purity bio-based solvents for low-carbon medicines manufacturing. The PLIMs technology provides an alternative to conventional thermal distillation, while the solvents initiative targets significant greenhouse gas reduction in pharmaceutical production through a £7 million Innovate UK-funded consortium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PLIMs (Polymer Membranes with Locked Intrinsic Microporosity) Ultrathin polymer membranes with locked intrinsic microporosity capable of rapidly and selectively separating complex hydrocarbon mixtures. Demonstrated up to ten-fold higher permeance than state-of-the-art membranes while maintaining high selectivity, removing 99.8% of heavy hydrocarbons and reducing sulphur-containing compounds by 93%. Aimed at oil and gas companies engaged in crude oil refining and hydrocarbon processing.
• High Purity Bio-Based Solvents High purity bio-based solvents developed for medicines manufacturing, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% compared to conventional solvents. Being industrialized through a consortium of technology providers, pharmaceutical companies, and research organizations for use in pharmaceutical production.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 10x higher permeance than existing state-of-the-art membranes while maintaining high selectivity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SINOPECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Chinese petroleum corporation collaborating with Exactmer on development and testing of PLIMs membrane technology for hydrocarbon processing applications. SINOPEC participated in validation of membrane performance using Arabian Extra Light crude oil.
• UK UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple UK universities collaborating with Exactmer on research and development of membrane technology for hydrocarbon separation. Universities provide research expertise and academic validation for the PLIMs technology development.
• UK Consortium Partners (Technology Providers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology providers, pharmaceutical companies, and research organizations working together under the Innovate UK-funded consortium to industrialize low-greenhouse gas solvents and validate their use in pharmaceutical production.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Porifera: US-based startup developing advanced thin-film composite membranes for industrial separations, including hydrocarbon and solvent applications. Closest direct emerging competitor to Exactmer's PLIMs membrane approach.
• Compact Membrane Systems: Developer of specialty membranes for chemical and petrochemical separations, including hydrocarbon processing. Comparable emerging player focused on membrane-based alternatives to distillation.

Direct peers

• Membrane Technology and Research (MTR): Pioneer in industrial membrane separations for hydrocarbons, gas, and petrochemical processing. Directly comparable as a membrane technology provider targeting refining and chemical industry customers.

Broad incumbents

• Pall Corporation: Danaher-owned industrial filtration and separations major serving oil & gas, chemicals, and pharma. Broad incumbent whose separation technology portfolio overlaps with Exactmer's hydrocarbon and solvent applications.
• Honeywell UOP: Global licensor of refining and petrochemical process technologies, including separation and upgrading units. Most likely acquirer profile and direct technology competitor for refinery-scale separation licenses.
• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals major with membrane and separation technology offerings (e.g., SEPURAN) and a strong bio-based and high-purity chemicals portfolio spanning pharma and industrial applications.
• BASF: World's largest chemical company with extensive solvents, bio-based intermediates, and process technology offerings for pharma and refining customers. Comparable broad incumbent and potential acquirer/partner for bio-based solvents.
• Solvay: Belgian specialty chemicals and advanced materials player with bio-based and high-purity solvent offerings serving pharma and industrial customers. Comparable in the bio-based solvents space.
• Axens: French licensor of refining and petrochemical process technologies, including separation and upgrading solutions. Comparable as a refining technology licensor and potential competitor/partner.
• DuPont: Major materials and specialty chemicals company with established membrane product lines (e.g., FilmTec, nanofiltration) and bio-based intermediates. Broad incumbent spanning membrane and specialty chemical markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/exactmer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exactmer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exactmer