What does it take to develop a sustainable and powerful innovation? We spoke with Ehsan Saebnoori and Daniel López from Ferr-Tech's Research and Development department to find out. They shared insights from their daily experiences in the lab, as well as personal highlights that make their roles fulfilling. Read on to discover how FerSol® is transforming industries and what motivates the people behind these innovations.
How did you both get involved with Ferr-Tech?
Ehsan: It's quite a long story. More than ten years ago, I was a university professor abroad. I had an idea about synthesising a chemical based on ferrate nanoparticles, specifically sodium ferrate. Our research revealed the innovative potential of producing ferrate solution. We started a company, and things moved fast - we grew quickly and attracted attention from abroad. Eventually, through various connections, we founded Ferr-Tech five years ago here in the Netherlands. First, some other colleagues moved here, and a year later, I followed suit. Since then, we've continuously developed new applications for our product, bringing us to where we are today.
Why did you choose the Netherlands specifically?
Ehsan: We wanted to move to a country supportive of start-ups and innovative companies, with easy access to investors and open international connections. Later, we realised the Netherlands is excellent for anything related to water treatment, green chemistry, and sustainability. It was a perfect fit for us.
And what about you, Daniel?
Daniel: I joined Ferr-Tech about a year ago. Originally from Spain, I completed my PhD there but wanted to explore opportunities abroad. My girlfriend is half-Dutch, so moving to the Netherlands was a natural choice. Initially, I worked briefly as a lab technician at an American company here, but it wasn't a good fit. While job hunting, I applied to Ferr-Tech, although for a different position than the one I currently hold.
You applied for a different role within Ferr-Tech?
Daniel: Yes, initially I applied for the lab technician position because I didn't see the vacancy for assistant researcher. During the interview, however, it became clear that my PhD background was better suited for the assistant researcher role. I was definitely in the right place at the right time!
Ehsan: Indeed, he was overqualified for the lab technician role. We quickly saw his potential during the interviews and offered him the assistant researcher position instead.
Let's talk about your product, FerSol®. What makes it so special and innovative?
Ehsan: Firstly, it's iron-based: iron is abundant and inexpensive. But Ferrate (VI) specifically has multiple valuable functions: it's an oxidant and a coagulant. It's also a green chemical, making it particularly attractive for sustainability-focused applications. Historically, the primary challenges have been high production costs and stability issues. At Ferr-Tech, we have innovated to significantly reduce costs and enhance stability, offering the product with two-month preservability, which we continually improve.
Could you explain your roles within Ferr-Tech?
Ehsan: I am the R&D Director, managing all research and development activities. At Ferr-Tech, our primary tasks involve developing the product itself and discovering new applications. When a product or application proves successful in the lab, we hand it over to the Business Development department to commercialise. Proven applications currently include plastic recycling, crate washing, greenhouse cleaning, Cleaning-in-Place (CIP), and wastewater treatment.
Daniel: As an assistant researcher, I assist Ehsan with various projects related to sodium ferrate (FerSol®). Currently, my focus is on plastics recycling, exploring how FerSol® can enhance properties such as plastic cleanliness and colour quality. My role is flexible: I switch between lab experiments and research analysis, depending on what's needed.
How long does it typically take to discover if FerSol® works for a new application?
Ehsan: It varies significantly; some applications take years of research before they're proven, while occasionally we experience pleasant surprises. For instance, we recently tested FerSol® for a specific purpose but did not achieve the intended result. However, the client noticed a different, unexpected result. Such unexpected discoveries make our work especially exciting.
What does a typical working day in your R&D department look like?
Daniel: My days are split between lab experiments and data analysis. For example, I spend the morning in the lab and the afternoon at my desk. However, depending on current projects, I may spend entire days researching in the lab or at my desk. This variety makes the work very appealing to me.
Ehsan: For me, the role has evolved. Initially, I spent more time in the lab; however, I now primarily oversee projects, delegate tasks, and manage communications with external partners and clients.
How do you collaborate with other departments?
Ehsan: Since we're not a huge company, collaboration is quite straightforward. We closely interact with Business Development because successful lab results need real-world validation. Frequently, a member of our team will visit client sites for testing. We also collaborate with Marketing, HR, and, in particular, Innovation, as our activities overlap significantly.
Data and analytics seem important in your roles. Could you expand on this?
Daniel: Indeed, data analysis accounts for about 30–40% of my job. Beyond just conducting experiments, interpreting data and providing insights are crucial tasks.
Ehsan: Absolutely. Coming from an engineering background, I believe numbers are everything. Analytics strongly influence my decisions and strategies.
What skills do you believe are essential for someone working in R&D?
Daniel: Perseverance, for sure. Research rarely yields immediate results, and setbacks are a common occurrence. Imagination also helps; creative thinking often leads to new solutions. And, of course, extensive knowledge accelerates the entire research process.
Ehsan: Scientific expertise in fields such as chemistry or biology is fundamental, but equally important is a problem-solving mindset. Challenges are often unique and cannot simply be Googled or found in literature; problem-solving skills are therefore critical.
What motivates you most about your work?
Daniel: Seeing the tangible results of my research is incredibly motivating. In academia, the impact of my research wasn't always clear, but here, my work directly contributes to practical, visible outcomes.
Ehsan: For me, it's about societal impact. Sustainability is a global priority, and if our work contributes even slightly, like improving recycling or enhancing water treatment, it fuels my motivation immensely.
Could you share a proud moment or highlight from your time at Ferr-Tech?
Daniel: I love mentoring students we host at Ferr-Tech. Watching them grow, adapt, and achieve tangible results is extremely rewarding. Our collaborative atmosphere here really facilitates their success.
Ehsan: The atmosphere and colleagues at Ferr-Tech make me particularly proud. We've cultivated a supportive and friendly environment that enriches our daily work.
What are your personal or professional development goals?
Daniel: I aim to broaden my skills beyond laboratory work: engaging more with clients, other colleagues, and improving my soft skills. Ferr-Tech's open culture supports this personal growth.
Ehsan: My goals are similar: personal and professional growth. The company's growth naturally provides numerous learning opportunities that extend beyond scientific expertise.
Lastly, you both moved from other countries. What cultural differences stand out to you here in the Netherlands?
Daniel: Work-life balance is much better in the Netherlands compared to Spain. There's more flexibility and respect for personal time here. Also, Dutch directness - while initially surprising - is something I've grown to appreciate.
Ehsan: I've especially valued the supportive Dutch environment for start-ups and innovative companies. Dutch companies are genuinely open to innovation, even when experiments don't immediately succeed. This openness to trial, error, and innovation is unique and incredibly beneficial.
