Who we are
We are a team of experts specializing in acid regeneration plants and the pickling process. By developing an innovative method for the total recovery of mixed acids from stainless steel pickling, we offer tailor-made solutions that help your company reduce operational costs and make your pickling operations more environmentally friendly. Our technology not only makes pickling greener but also contributes to the advancement of green steel.
We are actively engaged in R&D to develop sustainable solutions for other acids used in the industry, further revolutionizing acid regeneration processes across the stainless steel sector.
Make the world a better one.
Pickling of stainless steel causes environmental problems for our ecosystem and generates high operational costs for stainless steel producers. With our REGMAX® technology, this is no longer an issue. For the first time ever, it is possible to transform all waste acid components into valuable resources - creating a closed loop of resources. By implementing our REGMAX® technology, we are not only making the world a better one, but also reducing your pickling costs.
"We eliminate waste acids from the global stainless steel industry!”
Fabian Storek / CEO
Our story
After several years in technical management positions at a major steel industry’s equipment supplier, Fabian founded SUSTEC in 2013. During first years SUSTEC was solely focused on consulting for acid regeneration plants, pickling lines and environmental tech for the steel industry with several projects executed on four continents. But there was the idea of a new acid regeneration process, being co-invented by Fabian earlier, that he couldn’t get out of his mind. His vision was to develop this concept to a proven and marketable technology and solving a problem that hasn’t had a sustainable solution for decades. After securing the IP rights in 2015, SUSTEC focused on implementing this vision. In 2019, this goal was reached with the proof of concept. To reach this target SUSTEC received valuable support through regional, national and European public funding agencies enabling the necessary R&D activities. Today, we market this technology under the name REGMAX® - Regeneration Maximized. REGMAX® has been labeled by Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse Foundation as “Efficient Solution” to protect world’s environment and the “Mission Innovation Initiative” as “disruptive low carbon solution”.
Our milestones
2013
Founding of SUSTEC
Between 2013 and 2015, we provided technology consulting for the steel industry, working on projects with Arcelor Mittal Poland, China Steel Group Vietnam & Taiwan, Corbion Spain, Ternium Mexico, and Uganda Roofing Mills.
2015
REGMAX Development Kickoff
SUSTEC initiated the development of the REGMAX acid regeneration technology from scratch. Initial funding has been successfully secured to support this development work.
Incubator and Seed Financing achieved
SUSTEC joined the Accent Incubator program and received seed financing through Austrian AWS Seed.
2016
Born Global Champion Award - WKO
The WKO Born Global Champion Award, presented by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, honors young Austrian companies that achieve early international success with innovative products or services and demonstrate rapid growth
2017
Building World's 1st REGMAX plant in Germany
Following successful development between 2015 and 2017, SUSTEC secured a contract for the world’s first REGMAX pilot regeneration plant, located in Germany, with a processing capacity of 1.3 million liters of waste acid per year, co-financed by Austria's FFG R&D program.
2018
Worlds First REGMAX Plant Operational in Record Time
In under a year since the contract award, SUSTEC successfully commenced test and development operations at the REGMAX pilot plant in Germany.
Scaling REGMAX: A Major Step Toward Market Readiness
A contract was awarded for a larger REGMAX plant in Belgium, designed to process 9.5 million liters annually, scaling the technology by a factor of more than seven. This significant demonstration of the technology was supported by co-financing from the European Commission Horizon 2020 SME program.
Award “Efficient Solution” by Solar Impulse Foundation
The Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label, awarded by the Solar Impulse Foundation, recognizes products, services, or processes that are both environmentally sustainable and economically profitable, following a rigorous assessment by independent experts.
2019
Award Mission Innovation MI4
Awarded by Mission Innovation, a global governmental initiative to accelerate clean energy innovation, REGMAX was chosen as one of 100 disruptive low-carbon solutions. It has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by 6 million tons per year.
World's First REGMAX Plant Receives FAC
Following successful testing and a year of operation, the first REGMAX plant has officially received its Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) and commenced commercial operations.
Full-Scale REGMAX Construction Begins in Belgium
Following the successful German pilot plant, construction of the first full-scale REGMAX plant has begun in Belgium.
2020
Full-Scale REGMAX Plant in Belgium Has Started Operation
Following successful construction, the first full-scale REGMAX plant in Belgium has started its operation, marking a significant milestone in scaling up sustainable acid regeneration technology. Now, with two REGMAX acid regeneration plants in operation, they jointly offer a treatment capacity of 10.8 million liters of waste acid per year.
2021
REGMAX Achieves Market Readiness
The first full-scale REGMAX plant has achieved customer acceptance and begun commercial operation, marking the technology's market readiness and the completion of its development journey. With two REGMAX plants now operating commercially, the technology is set to make a significant impact on sustainable acid regeneration in the industry.
3rd REGMAX Plant Ordered by Repeat Customer
In 2021, following the success of the first full-scale REGMAX plant, the same customer placed an order for a second, even larger plant with a treatment capacity of 16.8 million liters per year. As a repeat customer, their satisfaction highlights the value of REGMAX technology. This marks the third REGMAX plant underway, further advancing sustainable acid regeneration.
Green Passivation: SUSTEC’s Nitric Acid Recovery Solution
SUSTEC has developed a unique process to fully recover HNO₃ passivation baths from stainless steel pickling, enabling complete recovery of both metals and acid. This innovation is an important step toward eliminating nitric wastewater and making stainless steel pickling a sustainable and green process.
2022
SUSTEC Achieves Quality Management Certification
SUSTEC has achieved the ISO 9001 quality certification, awarded by TÜV Austria, underscoring its commitment to quality management standards. This certification highlights SUSTEC's dedication to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions and continuously improving its processes.
SUSTEC Develops Recycling Tech for Sustainable EV Batteries
SUSTEC is applying its expertise from REGMAX® technology to develop a new process for EV battery production, enabling the recovery of both acids and valuable metals from etching. As a partner in the ESiLib consortium, SUSTEC is advancing circularity in battery manufacturing by creating efficient, closed-loop recycling systems.
REGMAX-CHLORIDE Enables Closed-Loop HCl Recovery in Stainless Pickling
SUSTEC developed REGMAXCL technology, an innovative solution for regenerating spent hydrochloric acid from stainless steel pickling, which was previously a major challenge due to high ferric chloride concentrations. This technology enables full recovery of hydrochloric acid, significantly reducing environmental impact and operational costs while promoting a closed-loop.
2023
3rd REGMAX Plant Boosts Waste Acid Treatment to 27.6M Liters Annually
The third REGMAX plant in Belgium became operational, bringing the total treatment capacity of all three plants to 27.6 million liters of waste acid per year. This new plant also offers automatic switching for treating both HF/HNO3 mixtures and HNO₃ passivation baths, enhancing its versatility.
Why we’re different.
REGMAX® is the world’s most sustainable solution for industries using hydrofluoric, nitric or sulfuric acids in their processes. With our solution, the generated waste acids are completely recovered and a closed loop of materials is created. While generating financial savings for our customers, the REGMAX® technology also improves the global climate and protects water-based ecosystems. SUSTEC is recognized as one of Europe’s SME top-class innovators by the European Commission.