OSU alumnus named CEO of start-up company fighting ‘forever chemical’ crisis

Marten Hillen is the new CEO of Weaver Labs.

OSU alumnus named CEO of start-up company fighting 'forever chemical' crisis

Friday, November 8, 2024

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor | 405-744-7193 | [email protected]

Weaver Labs, a technology company based in Stillwater focused on scientific solutions for the water sector, has appointed Marten Hillen as its new CEO.

Hillen will lead the company's efforts to address the global contamination crisis related to a group of chemicals known as PFAS.

Hillen, an Oklahoma State University alumnus, has extensive international experience in the water sector. In his role as CEO, he focuses on Weaver Labs' solutions designed to address the PFAS challenge. Weaver Labs is supported by The Innovation Foundation of OSU, with Cowboy Technologies serving as an early stage investor in the company.

Originally from the Netherlands and an OSU MBA graduate, Hillen has focused his career on integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines to contribute to environmental enhancements. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering from Delft University of Technology, and his experience includes involvement in international projects related to water resilience, water quality and sustainability. This background gives him a distinct understanding of the water sector and the effects of interdisciplinary innovation.

"My personal drive is to apply the knowledge and experience I have to make a difference in the world," Hillen said. "I'm very proud to work with water, as that improves the environment and communities all around us. With all the things I do, I intend to have a far-reaching impact on the world around us, which makes me very excited."

PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that demonstrate high resistance to degradation and are used in various products, including non-stick cookware, food packaging and firefighting foam. These substances persist in the environment and have been associated with various health concerns, such as autoimmune disorders and increased risk of certain cancers. Weaver Labs is focused on applying their selective, regenerative compound aimed at specifically targeting and removing PFAS from water.

Hillen said Weaver Labs' solution has shown significant results in testing, achieving far greater effectiveness in removing PFAS than conventional methods. It has also demonstrated near complete removal of short-chain PFAS contaminants, which is challenging for other technologies.

"We have specifically designed a comprehensive solution, a compound that can target PFAS with great selectivity," Hillen said. "In other words, it just goes after PFAS. There are conventional solutions that target contaminants in water that are excellent, and they've been used for a while, and they also remove some PFAS. They don't do remotely as well as what we do, so we have the best selectivity in the market. That also means that our technology has superior performance. In other words, way better removal. The additional unique aspect is that our material is regenerative, so you can use it again."

Hillen highlights the significance of collaboration and community support in addressing complex issues. Weaver Labs integrates chemistry, water science and business expertise. The team comprises leaders from various disciplines, which equips the company with a diverse knowledge base to address the challenges related to PFAS contamination.

"One of the things I really admire about being here is that strong community sense," Hillen said. "That means that we meet excellent people around us, and I continue to meet inspiring people every day here that I didn't know were around me all the time. From that community focus, we actually take those strengths and bring them to a national level and eventually a global level."

Weaver Labs is currently forming partnerships with utilities across the U.S. to test its PFAS-targeting compound at full scale. The team is focused on improving the effectiveness of its technology and plans to expand the company's applications to address other environmental challenges in the future.

Under Hillen's leadership, Weaver Labs is positioned to address water contamination by integrating advanced chemistry with objectives related to environmental stewardship.

"The PFAS contamination crisis is a global problem," Hillen said. "It's a complex problem, and it requires a tailored solution to address it. Before I joined, I did some due diligence, and was convinced and inspired by this approach to essentially solve this crisis and the ability for our technology to build across the water sector and even beyond. It's a very interesting prospect, and it would allow me to continue to make a difference in people's lives and to continue to improve the world around us."

Story By: Mak Vandruff | [email protected]

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