CuspAI and Kemira join forces in AI-driven materials innovation
Kemira is a world leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries while CuspAI pioneers materials science AI. Their collaboration aims to revolutionise materials innovation within the chemical sector through the integration of advanced AI technologies.
By integrating AI-driven insights from CuspAI, Kemira aims to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of new materials, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the chemical industry’s digital transformation. The partners say that materials discovery – which can often take up to a decade – could be accelerated to as little as six months with AI.
The partnership aims to combine Kemira’s chemical expertise with CuspAI’s AI capabilities to enhance its R & D processes with an initial focus in silico development. The first project will target the removal of PFAS (forever chemicals) from water while there are massive future opportunities.
The removal of PFAS and other micropollutants from water is increasingly relevant due to regulations around consumer and environmental health. Kemira is already addressing this by taking strides into the activated carbon market.
“The AI materials development process is fast and precise, and we’re thrilled to be working with the leader in this area.” said Antti Salminen, CEO of Kemira. “The biggest global challenges, such as clean water, are fundamentally materials science problems and, as such, we see materials science as the next frontier for AI. Our partnership with CuspAI underscores our dedication to harnessing the power of AI to drive this materials innovation, improve efficiency, and deliver superior – and sustainable – solutions to our customers.”
Dr Chad Edwards, CEO and Co Founder of CuspAI, added: “Solving society’s biggest challenges starts with discovering new materials. Removing polluting ‘forever chemicals’ from water is no exception.
“We’re excited to partner with an established leader in sustainability and innovation, Kemira, on this important target. Harnessing our AI-powered materials discovery platform, our team of AI, chemistry and engineering pioneers is excited to join forces to co-create the sustainable solutions of tomorrow."
CuspAI has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative AI solutions and strategic partnerships with industry leaders. This collaboration with Kemira marks a significant milestone in CuspAI’s commercial journey, showcasing its ability to deliver impactful AI applications across diverse sectors.
As well as technological advancements, this partnership will also focus on nurturing AI talent within Kemira. By collaborating with CuspAI, Kemira aims to build a robust pipeline of AI expertise, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
“Our collaboration with CuspAI will provide our teams with invaluable exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies,” added Salminen. “This will not only enhance our innovation capabilities but also support the development of our AI talent pipeline, ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry advancements.”
Kemira has annual revenue of around €2.9 billion with a global team of some 4,700; the company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki exchange.
Founded in 2024 by Dr Edwards and Professor Max Welling, CuspAI’s recruits and advisory board make its founding team among the most cited in the world – including advisors Professor Geoffrey Hinton and Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Professor Yann LeCun.