Molymem
Manchester, GB · Founded 2020 · 12 employees on LinkedIn · 4 known investors
Molymem develops membrane technologies based on 2D materials to address water and air filtration challenges. A deep-tech advanced materials company spun out of The University of Manchester, it applies new material classes to the membrane market.
Also known as MolyMem · Molymem Limited
Founders & leadership
Molymem was founded in 2020 by Mark Bissett, Robert Drye, and Robert Dryfe.
Investors · 4
Also in the syndicate · 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Molymem is a UK-based membrane technology company developing ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes enhanced with a patented two-dimensional material coating based on molybdenum disulphide (MoS2). The company positions its membranes for water and wastewater treatment, industrial separations and resource recovery, combining the mechanical robustness of ceramic supports with the surface selectivity of 2D materials to remove contaminants from difficult industrial effluents.
The company is a spin-out from The University of Manchester and is located within the University's Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC). Its technology derives from research led by Prof. Rob Dryfe and Dr. Mark Bissett, developed over a five-year period. Alongside water treatment, the company states a mission covering clean water and air through 2D-enhanced membranes, and a vision of becoming a supplier of 2D-materials membrane modules.
The team combines academic scientists and business leaders, listing Ray Gibbs as CEO, Robert Dryfe and Mark Bissett as Founders and CSOs, Paul Wiper as COO, plus technical, laboratory and application staff. In 2023 press coverage, Ray Gibbs was described as Chairman and Director and filtration expert Richard Lydon was named incoming CEO.
Founding story
The technology originated in research led by Prof. Rob Dryfe and Dr. Mark Bissett at The University of Manchester, developed and patented over a five-year period in partnership with innovation experts at the University's Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre. The work applied molybdenum disulphide, a 2D material complementary to graphene, to create a water filtration coating. The company spun out of The University of Manchester in December 2022.
Business model
Molymem develops and intends to supply coated ceramic membrane modules and bespoke membrane solutions to industrial and municipal users. Its membranes are described as modular and retrofittable into existing treatment systems, with the company engaging OEMs and end users and aiming to work through existing supply chains; at the time of its 2023 funding coverage it was pre-revenue.
Traction
The company reports £1m raised through equity investment and £1m secured in Innovate UK and Horizon EU funding, and states it has scaled its 2D membrane coating to produce the world's largest 2D-coated ceramic membrane for natural organic matter removal. In 2023 it was reported to have begun engaging OEMs and end users.
Latest developments
Molymem announced it had successfully scaled its proprietary 2D membrane coating to produce the world's largest 2D-coated ceramic membrane for natural organic matter removal.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
An early-stage, pre-revenue deep-tech advanced materials company applying a new class of 2D materials to the established membrane market, targeting both polymeric and conventional ceramic membrane alternatives in water treatment and industrial separation.
Single-step, room-temperature coating using existing filtration equipment rather than multi-step coating with high-temperature sintering; higher water flux than commercial polymeric NF membranes at comparable rejection of dissolved organic carbon, nutrients and PFAS; chemical stability across acidic, basic and solvent-rich conditions; and stated 10+ year membrane lifetimes versus about 2 years for polymeric membranes, reducing operating expenditure.
Technology
The core technology is a patented MoS2-based coating applied to ceramic UF and NF membranes. Unlike competing ceramic membranes that require multiple coating steps, high-temperature sintering and specialised equipment, Molymem applies a single coating step at room temperature using existing filtration equipment. The company reports molecular weight cut-offs in the UF or NF range, increased water flux versus commercial polymeric NF membranes with comparable rejection of dissolved organic carbon, nutrients and PFAS, a selective MoS2 barrier that improves rejection of charged species, chemical stability in acidic, basic and solvent-rich environments, and operational lifetimes of 10+ years versus roughly 2 years for polymeric membranes. The patented technology also covers other 2D materials beyond MoS2. MoS2 is described as a 2D material with physical properties complementary to graphene, which was first isolated at The University of Manchester.
Go-to-market
The company markets bespoke membrane solutions developed alongside customer businesses and has begun engaging OEMs and end users, positioning a retrofittable coating solution that fits existing supply chains and treatment infrastructure, with modules added in parallel to scale from pilot to industrial deployment.
Municipal water and wastewater treatment operators and industrial water users, including semiconductor, pharmaceutical and mining sectors, with additional stated industry segments in medical, healthcare and pharma, food and beverage, electronics and semiconductors, chemicals and agrochemicals, and mining and minerals.
Geography
UK-based, operating from The University of Manchester's Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre in Manchester, with stated ambitions to roll out internationally.
History
Molymem spun out of The University of Manchester in December 2022 with £500,000 of seed equity led by Cambridge Angels. In May 2023 it announced a further £500,000 from Green Angel Syndicate and Manchester-based GC Angels, taking total angel-backed seed funding to over £1m, and appointed Richard Lydon, previously a senior advisor, as CEO. The company subsequently reported scaling its proprietary 2D coating to produce what it describes as the world's largest 2D-coated ceramic membrane for natural organic matter removal.
Compiled by commissioned research from 7 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 4
launches, deals, and filingsMolymem reported scaling its proprietary 2D membrane coating to produce what it describes as the world's largest 2D-ceramic membrane for natural organic matter (NOM) removal.
Molymem announced a further £500,000 investment from Green Angel Syndicate and Manchester-based GC Angels, doubling its funding to over £1m in total angel-backed seed funding.
Richard Lydon, a filtration expert and senior advisor to Molymem during its funding cycle, was announced as the company's new CEO; Ray Gibbs was described as Chairman and Director.
Molymem spun out of The University of Manchester in December 2022 with seed equity of £500,000 led by Cambridge Angels.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 7
primary sources listed
- Molymemmolymem.com · web
7 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Molymem do?
- University of Manchester spin-out making MoS2-coated ceramic ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes for water treatment.
- Who founded Molymem?
- Molymem was founded by Mark Bissett, Robert Drye, Robert Dryfe in 2020.
- Who are Molymem's investors?
- Molymem's investors include Cambridge Angels group, GC Angels.
- Where is Molymem headquartered?
- Molymem is headquartered in Manchester, GB.