European Innovation Council

Norbite is a biotech research firm focused on converting plastic waste into sustainable products through an innovative insect-based biorefinery. The company's technology integrates biorefinery and vertical farming methods to process plastic waste, yielding larvae that are bio-refined into proteins suitable for food and feed applications. By offering sustainable solutions, Norbite aims to contribute positively to environmental efforts while providing clients with valuable products and services.

Manufacturer of reusable containers intended to reduce waste. The company's container provides sealable and reusable packaging which works in tandem with electronic dispensers that are placed in shops for the distribution of food and non-food products in bulk, enabling producers and retailers to store and dispense products in hygienic ways.

ReLearn is a startup focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to assist companies and municipalities in minimizing their environmental impact by monitoring waste production. Utilizing a plug-and-play sensor called NANDO, which is installed on trash bins, ReLearn gathers precise data on the quantity and quality of waste generated daily. This data facilitates the creation of detailed sustainability reports and enhances awareness of environmental issues among corporate and civic stakeholders. The company employs gamification techniques to engage users and promote environmentally responsible behaviors. ReLearn aims to support visionary organizations in achieving their ZERO WASTE goals and adhering to key Sustainable Development Goals. By transforming ordinary bins into smart waste management systems, ReLearn enables clients to automate processes and improve efficiency while reducing carbon emissions and operational costs associated with improper waste disposal. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach, being a winner of the European Social Innovation Competition in 2022.

Developer of an automated disassembly and diagnostics solutions to maximize the value of every Li-ion battery. The company's proprietary computer vision models and robotic systems allow the autonomous handling of batteries of all variations, its disassembly process preserves material value and help companies to capture significant upcycling potential for cells and components, disassembly is entirely manual owing to wide variety in battery designs and changing conditions. enabling customers save significant cost, see positive carbon impacts vs recycling and find a solution to increasing labor shortage.

Releaf Paper is a producer of sustainable paper products from fallen leaves. They work on the task of finding a solution to achieve sustainability in the production of paper using new raw materials - fallen leaves, instead of wood.

Tozero, founded in July 2022 in Munich, Germany, by Sarah Fleischer and Dr. Ksenija Milicevic Neumann, focuses on developing technology for recycling lithium-ion batteries. The company aims to create a scalable machine that recovers essential materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese in an environmentally sustainable manner. By facilitating the recovery of these critical materials, Tozero enables industries to reintegrate fresh raw materials back into the supply chain, thereby supporting broader decarbonization efforts.

Resortecs – REcycling, SORting, TEChnologieS – is an award-winning start-up that develops Design for Disassembly solutions. We drive full circularity in the fashion industry with heat-dissolvable stitching threads and thermal disassembly systems that make industrial-scale textile recycling easy. Through targeted innovations in the way clothes are assembled and disassembled, our solutions empower fashion and workwear brands to rise to today’s environmental challenges at the pace and scale Earth needs. All without compromising the creativity, design, and quality of clothing. Resortecs' globally patented thermal disassembly solution is 5X faster than traditional disassembly methods and makes it possible to recycle up to 90% of the original fabric material: • Smart Stitich™, our heat-dissolvable stitching thread with different melting points (150 °C, 170 °C and 190 °C), enables brands to transform their products into recyclable, circular pieces from the manufacturing stage. • Smart Disassembly™, our thermal disassembly system, enables recyclers to unlock higher volumes of premium-quality material, processing up to 4M garments/year with low emissions and no material damage, so that fabrics can be used over and over again. Welcome to sustainability's next level: circularity.

Paptic is a manufacturing company based in Espoo, Finland, established in April 2015. The company specializes in creating wood-based products that replace traditional paper and plastic, addressing the global challenge of plastic waste. Paptic's innovative bags combine the renewability and recyclability of paper with the functional benefits of plastics, providing a sustainable alternative for consumers and businesses. With a small team of ten employees, Paptic aims to contribute to a more sustainable environment while meeting the everyday needs of customers for plastic bags.

Paptic is a manufacturing company based in Espoo, Finland, established in April 2015. The company specializes in creating wood-based products that replace traditional paper and plastic, addressing the global challenge of plastic waste. Paptic's innovative bags combine the renewability and recyclability of paper with the functional benefits of plastics, providing a sustainable alternative for consumers and businesses. With a small team of ten employees, Paptic aims to contribute to a more sustainable environment while meeting the everyday needs of customers for plastic bags.

DePoly is a spin off out of the LSMO lab at EPFL- Valais that has developed a novel technology allowing for the chemical recycling of PET plastic back to its main two components ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). Our approach turns low valued materials (PET waste) into high-valued chemicals like TPA creating a circular economy. We expect this process to generate revenue from chemically recycling PET to TPA/EG, which can be sold back to industry to make new virgin PET plastic and allowing for a sustainable source of TPA and EG on the market.

Oxara AG, founded in 2018 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in sustainable building products aimed at addressing challenges in the construction industry. The company focuses on the circular economy by utilizing locally available landfill waste, such as excavation materials, to produce a unique poured earth concrete. This innovative material retains the advantages of traditional concrete while being significantly cheaper and 90% more environmentally friendly. Oxara offers a range of products, including additives and branded materials like Oxacrete, Oxaflow, Oxabrick, Cleancrete, Cleanflow, and Cleanbrick. The company is committed to fostering a global community dedicated to sustainable construction and affordable housing solutions, prioritizing the needs of its employees and clients.

Gr3n invented a new process which allows for the first time to recycle PET bottles/food containers chemically in a profitable way. Gr3n developed an innovative process, based on a new application of microwave technology to a well known chemical reaction which provides for the first time with an economically efficient chemical recycling process of PET (Polyethylene Terephtalate) and allows an industrial implementation of this recycling method. This new process can potentially change how PET is recycled worldwide with a huge financial benefit for the recycling industry.

Manufacturer of reusable containers intended to reduce waste. The company's container provides sealable and reusable packaging which works in tandem with electronic dispensers that are placed in shops for the distribution of food and non-food products in bulk, enabling producers and retailers to store and dispense products in hygienic ways.

Provider of advanced materials intended to produce bioplastic film, plastics, and coatings from agriculture residues. The company's technology uses food production residues to produce materials that are compostable under natural composting conditions and provides a marketable product from agricultural residues such as starch or brewery residues as a raw material for home compostable, harmless for the environment and humans, enabling the society to get rid of the plastic materials that lead to serious environmental, marine pollution and lower carbon emissions.

Provider of advanced materials intended to produce bioplastic film, plastics, and coatings from agriculture residues. The company's technology uses food production residues to produce materials that are compostable under natural composting conditions and provides a marketable product from agricultural residues such as starch or brewery residues as a raw material for home compostable, harmless for the environment and humans, enabling the society to get rid of the plastic materials that lead to serious environmental, marine pollution and lower carbon emissions.

Sensoneo j.s.a. is a company based in Bratislava, Slovakia, founded in 2014, that specializes in smart waste management solutions. The company develops advanced sensors and software applications designed to optimize waste management processes for cities and businesses. Its offerings include Smart Sensors that provide real-time monitoring of waste levels in various types of bins, along with Smart Route Planning to automate waste collection routes. Additionally, Sensoneo offers Smart Analytics, which generates detailed reports and statistics, and a cloud-based Smart Waste Management System that allows users to manage their waste operations effectively. The Citizen App further enhances community engagement by allowing residents to access data from Sensoneo's sensors. With its innovative technology, Sensoneo aims to improve efficiency, reduce waste collection costs by at least 30%, and decrease carbon emissions by up to 60%, making it a significant player in the global waste management sector.

Cellugy is a biotechnology startup focused on creating sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics through the production of 100% natural bio-cellulose. Utilizing a fermentation platform, the company harnesses renewable resources instead of fossil fuels to develop high-quality cellulose that competes effectively in terms of economics and environmental impact. Cellugy's innovative approach allows for the production of various grades and qualities of cellulose, making it applicable across multiple industries, including personal care, packaging, textiles, and food. By offering a more sustainable solution, Cellugy aims to significantly reduce the environmental footprint associated with traditional materials.

TomaPaint specializes in the production of bio-resins derived from by-products of industrial tomato processing. The company focuses on creating an organic-based lacquer designed for use in food packaging, particularly for the internal coating of food cans. This innovative lacquer serves as an ecological alternative to traditional synthetic petrochemical-based resins, aiming to transform the metal food packaging industry. By utilizing waste recycling and cutin extraction, TomaPaint contributes to significant environmental and health benefits, enabling industries to lower carbon emissions and minimize the use of hazardous chemicals.

TreaTech Sàrl, founded in 2015 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializes in liquid waste management solutions. The company employs innovative catalytic hydrothermal gasification technology to treat various liquid wastes, including sewage sludge, industrial wastewater, and biomass residues. This thermochemical process converts high-salt effluents into valuable byproducts such as fresh water, biogas, and natural fertilizers, thereby addressing global challenges related to clean water availability. TreaTech's team, comprised of engineers from EPFL, possesses expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and energy systems integration. With a commitment to sustainability, the company aims to provide low-cost, environmentally friendly waste treatment solutions that align with circular economy principles. Currently, TreaTech is focused on developing a demonstration unit to showcase the effectiveness of its technology.

Wimao is passionate about ecological composites. Their operations are based on patented technology. They work to promote a circular economy and to find new ways of utilizing recycled raw materials and industrial side streams. Their company was established in 2016 to commercialize the patented production technology. In 2018, after careful product and process development, their first production plant became operational in the Kukkuroinmäki area in Lappeenranta, where they also work in close collaboration with (waste management company) Etelä-Karjalan Jätehuolto Oy.

Wimao is passionate about ecological composites. Their operations are based on patented technology. They work to promote a circular economy and to find new ways of utilizing recycled raw materials and industrial side streams. Their company was established in 2016 to commercialize the patented production technology. In 2018, after careful product and process development, their first production plant became operational in the Kukkuroinmäki area in Lappeenranta, where they also work in close collaboration with (waste management company) Etelä-Karjalan Jätehuolto Oy.

RePack manufactures and sells reusable and recyclable packaging bags for individuals and clothing brands worldwide. It offers polypropylene, polyethylene, and cardboard packaging bags. The company’s bags can be returned for recycling after the use, and the customer gets rewarded with voucher for the returned bag, which can be used at the time of next purchase at any RePacking store. It sells its products online. RePack was founded in 2013 and is based in Helsinki, Finland with a facility in the United States.