Amaea (the successor to Ligar Polymers) is commercialising a technology called Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs), which allow for selective capture, filtering, and extraction of molecules at scale. The versatile technology has significant market application across a number of industries, including pollution and contaminant removal, flavour and substance rebalancing, high-value molecule extraction, and compound quality improvement,
Originally developed at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and the University of Waikato, Amaea is targeting three initial global applications: removing taints from wine, rebalancing caffeine and citric acid in beverages, and cannabinoid extraction. The company’s technology is closely protected by patents and trade secrets, with opportunities for further filings.
Since Matu Karihi’s investment in early 2020, Amaea has made good commercial progress, having now signed two key strategic commercial customer partnerships, allowing direct access into international markets in the US and Asia.