A German start-up company has developed a heat integrated distillation column coupled with a new method for cooling and automatizing the distillation process. The system possiblies allows for an energy-recovery of up to 95% and is thus much more energy-efficient than conventional distillation methods. It can be used for distillates with a low boiling point or seawater desalination. The company searches industry partners and/or institutes for further development and application of the technology.