From Reliable Pump Operations to Restoring Marine Life

International scaling rarely begins with sales. It begins with testing.

For 10 Danish start-ups within water and environmental technology, international pilot projects became a practical way to validate solutions in new markets. Not through reports or market analysis — but through real-world operation, development and collaboration with international partners.

Two projects illustrate the range: real-time pump monitoring in a Chinese water utility and the development of bioactive materials for maritime infrastructure.

Real-Time Pump Monitoring in China’s Water Sector

EWA Sensors ApS tested its condition monitoring solution for rotating equipment at the Shishi Drinking Water Supply Plant in Fujian Province, in collaboration with Zhejiang Tianxingjian Water Co., Ltd. and the Sino-Danish Industry Platform.

The system was installed in under one hour. It then monitored motor and pump performance continuously for six months, collecting real-time vibration and temperature data every second.

The solution established dynamic baselines and triggered alerts based on deviations from normal operating conditions. During the pilot period, gradual temperature increases and isolated vibration events were recorded. No critical operational failures occurred.

The project provided:

• Documented functionality under real operational conditions
• Experience with Chinese regulatory and technical requirements
• Validation of data communication in a live utility environment

Testing in an active water supply facility offered technical verification and direct exposure to market-specific conditions.

Bioactive 3D-Printed Materials for Maritime Infrastructure

Stonereefs A/S, in collaboration with Holcim, developed and tested a bioactive composite material without Portland cement for 3D-printed structures in ports and offshore environments.

The objective was to combine structural performance with lower pH levels, improved bioreceptivity and a reduced CO₂ footprint compared to conventional concrete.

The material was tested directly within the 3D printing process under varying output and flow conditions:

• Stable performance at higher output levels
• Layer adhesion challenges at lower flow rates
• Identification of material “open time” as a critical factor for print stability

Full-scale reef printing was not completed during this phase. The pilot instead generated detailed material insights and defined the next optimisation steps ahead of planned installations in Denmark and France.

Eight Additional International Pilot Projects

Beyond EWA Sensors and Stonereefs, eight other Danish start-ups tested solutions internationally:

• Leapcraft ApS adapted its intelligent ventilation system (AmbiLink) for the UK building market.

• NxPAS ApS advanced its compact emissions detection technology for the U.S. market and filed a U.S. patent application.

• Klarifi ApS expanded its data platform within the U.S. water and municipal sector.

• Klappir Nordic ApS localised its ESG data platform for the Brazilian market.

• PurFil ApS demonstrated chemical-free separation modules for biogas plants in Portugal and secured follow-up orders in Spain.

• Itinnéra Solutions ApS (The Rock Flour Company) prepared scientific testing protocols for glacial rock flour application in Brazilian forestry.

• Co2laborate developed digital planning and quantification tools for CCUS projects in Germany.

• Anemo Robotics ApS monitored biodiversity effects in the Port of Bilbao using AI-based underwater cameras.

Across all projects, Danish water and environmental technologies were tested in collaboration with international partners under real market conditions.

International Testing as a Step Toward Market Readiness

International pilot projects allow start-ups to test technical performance, regulatory fit, and operational robustness before scaling into new markets.

By validating solutions in live environments — from utilities and ports to energy infrastructure and buildings — participating companies gained practical experience that informs their next commercial decisions.

Different technologies. Similar outcome.

From sensors and emissions monitoring to advanced materials and nature-based infrastructure, the participating SMEs operate in very different domains.

Yet their experiences converge.

International pilot collaboration:

• Reduces uncertainty before scaling
• Exposes hidden regulatory and technical barriers
• Strengthens partnerships in target markets
• Improves the quality of strategic decisions

In short, it replaces assumptions with evidence.

For growth-oriented SMEs, that shift can determine whether internationalisation becomes an expensive experiment — or a structured expansion.

A practical pathway to international readiness

The International Innovation Pilot supports Danish SMEs with international potential in testing their solutions directly in collaboration with a foreign partner.

The objective is not theoretical analysis. It is a practical validation. One SME. One international partner. A focused collaboration designed to clarify whether the solution is ready — and what must change if it is not.

What is International Innovation Pilot?

With support from the International Innovation Pilot, companies can test their ideas in practice with an international partner. The results will provide new knowledge and experience that can determine whether the technologies are ready for the next step in an international market.

The scheme gives Danish SMEs the opportunity to test and mature new technologies or methods in collaboration with a foreign partner. Each project receives DKK 75,000 in support (co-financing allows up to DKK 100,000), typically runs for 2–12 months, and focuses on testing, prototyping, and preparation for export.

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About the funding

International Innovation Pilot is part of Clean’s cluster grant, funded by the Danish Board of Business Development and the Danish Business Authority with co-financing from the European Union.

Cluster organizations such as Clean are set up to bring together companies, knowledge institutions, and other players to strengthen collaboration and innovation. The aim is to help SMEs, in particular, develop new solutions, gain access to markets, and drive growth through strong networks.