Molendotech develops new technology to transform water quality monitoring

Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre customer, Molendotech is taking its pioneering water-quality technology to the next level, with plans for a new digital platform designed to give people faster access to information about the safety of rivers and coastal waters.

Molendotech, a University of Plymouth spin-out based at the Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre (HWIC) in Truro, is developing an innovative app that could change the way water quality is monitored and communicated to the public.

The company specialises in rapid testing technology for detecting pathogens and contamination in water. Its work has the potential to address one of the major challenges facing recreational water users: the delay between water being sampled and test results becoming available.

Molendotech’s Bactiquick technology is designed to provide an indication of bacterial contamination in a matter of minutes rather than relying solely on conventional laboratory testing. The technology can detect endotoxin associated with bacteria including E. coli, providing a rapid indication of water quality at the point of testing.

The company’s planned app will build on this technology by combining test results with environmental information, including factors such as rainfall and tidal conditions. The aim is to provide a more dynamic picture of water quality and, ultimately, help identify potential risks more quickly.

Artificial intelligence will also play a role in the platform, helping to analyse patterns in the available data and develop predictive models for water quality.

From Cornwall innovation to international potential

Molendotech’s development is a strong example of the innovative businesses being supported within Cornwall’s growing health and life sciences ecosystem.

The company moved into purpose-built laboratory space at the Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre in 2023, providing a specialist environment in which to continue developing its technology. HWIC is one of the Cornwall Innovation Centres managed by the University of Plymouth.

The University’s connection with Molendotech goes back further, with the business having originated from research carried out at the University of Plymouth before developing into an independent commercial venture.

The company’s technology has already attracted interest from organisations involved in water management and environmental monitoring, and its ambitions now extend beyond the UK.

Molendotech is preparing to launch its new platform in both the UK and United States, potentially opening up significant opportunities for its technology in markets where concerns around recreational water quality are growing.

The company has also continued to attract investment and grant funding to support the development and commercialisation of its technology.

Supporting innovation that can make a difference

For HWIC, Molendotech’s progress highlights the value of providing specialist facilities where innovative businesses can develop and grow.

The Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre is designed to support businesses working across the health, care and life sciences sectors, providing laboratory and office accommodation alongside an environment where ambitious companies can develop their ideas and connect with the wider innovation ecosystem.

Molendotech’s journey from university research to an expanding commercial business demonstrates how innovation developed in Cornwall can have relevance far beyond the region.

With water quality, environmental protection and public health continuing to attract increasing attention, the company’s rapid testing technology and planned digital platform could offer a new way of understanding conditions in the UK’s waterways and potentially further afield.

We are delighted to see HWIC customer Molendotech continuing to grow and take its innovative technology to new markets. Its progress is a fantastic example of the ambition and expertise within Cornwall’s health and life sciences community.