An idea born at ETH Zurich.
Today in thousands of kitchens.
drinkpure began with a scientific discovery at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich. Today, the filter is backed by Pura AG — a Swiss company that continues to develop and produce the membrane and cartridges itself.
A membrane that changed everything.
In the labs of ETH Zurich, two young researchers worked on a novel high-performance membrane for water filtration. The result was so promising that it wasn't meant to end in a publication: it became the foundation for an entire company.
In 2014, a successful crowdfunding campaign financed the first travel filter. In 2015, the two founded Novamem AG — actually as a membrane company, but the water filter project called “drinkpure” quickly gained momentum and grew into a business area of its own.
The minds behind drinkpure.
Two scientists, one mission: water treatment you can truly trust.
Dr. Christoph Kellenberger
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pura AG · CEO, Novamem AG
Our aim was clear from the start: to develop a filter system you can trust long-term — technically precise, reproducibly effective and with no compromises on material quality.
Dr. Michael Loepfe
Member of the Board of Directors, Pura AG · Co-CTO, Novamem AG
At the heart of our work was developing a membrane that reliably holds back contaminants while staying durably stable in everyday use — scientifically grounded and practical at the same time.
From research project to Swiss company.
Over ten years of development — step by step to what drinkpure is today.
The idea
At ETH Zurich, the basic formula for a high-performance water-filtration membrane is created. From it comes the idea of a mobile travel filter — “drinkpure Outdoor”.
Crowdfunding I
USD 74,000 via Indiegogo finances the first injection-moulding tool. Over 2,000 travel filters are produced and shipped to 33 countries.
Founding of Novamem AG
Christoph Kellenberger and Michael Loepfe found Novamem AG — a membrane company that, among other things, develops and manufactures the drinkpure water filter.
Crowdfunding II — drinkpure Home
One question keeps coming up: “Can you screw drinkpure onto the tap, too?” The Kickstarter campaign for drinkpure Home succeeds with CHF 51,000.
Full focus on the home
The outdoor line is discontinued. From now on, the home filter takes centre stage — where water is drunk every day.
Solar Impulse Foundation Label
drinkpure is recognised by the Solar Impulse Foundation as an “Efficient Solution” — for demonstrably sustainable solutions with both economic and ecological benefits.
drinkpure Fresh Ultra
With the Fresh Ultra under-sink filter, we expand our range with a powerful 3-stage system for permanent installation.
The birth of Pura AG.
After years of strong growth, one thing was clear: the water filter business needed its own framework to keep developing freely. In 2025, the entire water filter division was spun off from Novamem AG — Pura AG was born.
The mission stays the same: healthy water for every household — scientifically grounded, made in Switzerland, honestly communicated. Christoph Kellenberger and Michael Loepfe support Pura AG as members of the Board of Directors. Novamem remains a key partner as a membrane specialist — without Novamem, there would be no drinkpure.
We're not an importer. We're a manufacturer.
Our headquarters are in Schlieren near Zurich — and this is exactly where the heart of every filter is made: the membrane. From the formulation to the final inspection, it's produced in our own facility, based on our patented technology from ETH.
The filter cartridges are developed in-house, too. Specially trained production staff handle manufacturing and quality control. That way we have the entire supply chain under control — and can stand behind every single batch.
Logistics with heart.
From day one, we've worked with the arwo Foundation in Wettingen — a foundation that gives people with disabilities jobs, housing and genuine participation in working life. In Wettingen, our filters are assembled, picked and packed ready for shipping.
For us, this collaboration isn't a nice extra but an important part of our identity. Every filter that reaches you was packed by a team that works with care and pride — showing every day what's possible when everyone gets the same opportunities.
When industrial companies need filters, they come to us.
Our membrane expertise doesn't end with drinkpure. For leading industrial companies, we develop tailor-made filtration solutions — from the first requirement to series production.
Do you have your own filtration project or are you looking for a technical development partner? We'd love to hear from you.
info@joinpura.comReady for better water?
Get to know our filters — developed in Switzerland, made in Schlieren, tested in independent labs worldwide.
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