Corporate Challenge

Industry Calls for Start-ups

The ISC3 Corporate Challenge’s goal is to find solutions for specific industry problems and promote innovation and collaboration among changemakers in the field of Sustainable Chemistry.
For this, the ISC3 cooperates with a partner from industry that is looking to improve their sustainability performance by enhancing a part of their value chain. The industry partner selects a topic, chooses a prize and, eventually, selects the winner.

The ISC3 provides the infrastructure for the challenge, prepares the call and reaches out to its global network to provide solutions. Then, our experts will pre-evaluate the solutions provided by the participants.

Apply for the Sustainable Plasticiser Challenge 2025!
ISC3 and NUVANT Launch New Corporate Challenge

We gladly announce that ISC3 has joined forces with NUVANT to launch a joint Corporate Challenge!
Together, we call upon innovators, start-ups, and researchers worldwide to co-develop a sustainable, high-performance plasticiser for PVC emulsion plastisols.
The winning solution will enter a strategic partnership with NUVANT. This includes full technical support, performance testing free of charge, and an initial purchase of 1 ton of the product by 2027, with the potential to scale up to 20 tons by 2030. Applications are now open until the February 27th, 2026.

High-Performance Criteria

Proposed solutions must demonstrate performance comparable to state-of-the-art plasticisers such as DINP (Diisononyl Phthalate) and meet the following criteria:
1. Plasticisation Efficiency: Comparable to DINP.
2. Low Migration, Exudation, and Volatility: Stability within the PVC matrix.
3. Low-Temperature Performance: Withstand impacts at -30°C without brittle failure.
4. Thermal Stability: Act as a co-stabilizer, enabling PVC to endure 500 hours of thermal aging at 110°C without loss of flexibility or colour.

In addition, the plasticizer must be:

Bio-Based: Ideally derived from waste-based sources.
High-Performance: Matching or exceeding technical benchmarks of conventional plasticisers.
Colourless and Transparent: To avoid altering blends.
Low Odor: Free of unpleasant or unacceptable odours (e.g., fishy, mouldy, sulphur-like).
Low-Toxicity: A safe substitute for restricted phthalates and SVHCs.
Recyclability-Friendly: Preferably enabling recyclability or at least not hindering it.

Finalists will be required to submit a 2 kg sample of their proposed plasticiser. NUVANT will cover shipment costs, conduct all testing at no cost to participants, and share results transparently. This pathway provides innovators with a unique opportunity to bring their sustainable solutions to market at industrial scale.

The full requirements for Technical Validation and Testing can be found here.

Technical Details

A PVC-coated textile typically consists of four primary layers:

1. Textile Substrate:Usually made of 100% polyester. In this case, recycled polyester is used, with a weight of 140 g/m².

2. Adhesion Layer: Ensures bonding between the textile and the upper layers. Typical weight: 70–100 g/m². Composition:

PVC Emulsion Resin: 30–50%
Bio-Based Plasticizer: 30–40%
Thermal Stabilizer (CaZn type): 0.5–2%
Flame Retardant: 0.5–1%, antimony trioxide-free
Filler: 6–12%

3. Foamed Layer:Contains a blowing agent to enable chemical foaming of the plastisol. Typical weight: 200–300 g/m². Composition:

PVC Emulsion Resin: 30–50%
Bio-Based Plasticizer: 30–40%
Thermal Stabilizer (CaZn type): 0.5–2%

4. Top Layer (Skin):Solid layer providing surface finish and durability. Typical weight: 100–200 g/m². Composition:

PVC Emulsion Resin: 40–60%
Bio-Based Plasticizer: 30–40%
Thermal Stabilizer (CaZn type): 0.5–2%
UV Absorber: 0.1–0.5%
Flame Retardant Blend: 10–20%
Filler: 5–10%

Performance Validation Requirements

To ensure the proposed plasticizer meets the required specifications, it must be tested within the basic structure of the coated textile. The following evaluations will be conducted:

Volatility Test: According to ASTM D1203, with a maximum allowable weight loss of 10%
Fogging Test (gravimetric and photometric)
Odor Evaluation
Accelerated Thermal Aging
Additional Tests: As deemed necessary by the Nuvant technical team

Note: The specific methodology for evaluating the product will be provided once the challenge is accepted. This applies to all the tests described in this section.

More Information

About NUVANT

NUVANT believes that sustainability is not a trend — it is a way to transform the industry. NUVANT is a company that integrates innovation, design, and environmental responsibility in the development of materials, driving the transition toward a more circular and conscious model.
Sustainability is the guiding principle behind every decision they make. The company embed the principles of the circular economy throughout their entire value chain, turning production processes into opportunities to regenerate, reuse, and reduce environmental impact.
NUVANT implements energy efficiency strategies that optimize the use of natural resources and promote responsible production. Their sustainable packaging incorporates between 30% and 100% recycled material, significantly reducing waste generation. They replace high-risk chemical substances with safer alternatives, fostering a healthier environment for both people and the planet.
In addition, they are committed to using biobased and recycled raw materials, driving innovation in next-generation materials. Through rigorous environmental management, they recover and repurpose 94% of the waste generated in their processes, reintegrating it into new production cycles. They also optimize their logistics operations, eliminating unnecessary transportation and reducing carbon emissions associated with distribution.
The company´s commitment to quality, sustainability, and transparency is reflected in their international certifications and seals such as REACH and RoHS, which validate the excellence of their products and processes.
NUVANT complies with international regulations and directives, allowing them to access new markets and strengthen their positive environmental and social impact.

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The ISC3 Corporate Challenge - Call for Partners

The ISC3 Innovation Hub is always looking for new industry partners and collaborations to launch a ISC3 Corporate Challenge on Sustainable Chemistry!
Is your company looking to improve its sustainability performance with innovative solutions?
Do you want to contribute to a more sustainable future and solve complex challenges the industry faces?

This initiative offers a unique opportunity for companies to drive meaningful change by collaborating on innovative Sustainable Chemistry solutions to address critical industrial challenges. By joining the challenge, corporations can:

Significantly advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the 2030 Agenda.
Engage with cutting-edge innovators and start-ups in the field of Sustainable Chemistry.
Enhance their organization's visibility as a leader in sustainability.
Create long-term value through the promotion of a circular economy.
Access expert networks and explore new business opportunities.
Strengthen their brand image through positive impact.

Corporations can participate individually or collaborate as a group to tackle shared challenges.

Details about the Corporation Challenge Concept: here

For more information, please consult our Call for Partners

Contact

florencia.hoffmann@isc3.org

Past Corporate Challenges:

First Corporate Challenge

If you want to know more about the First Corporate Challenge, please check out the press release regarding the Call for Applications for the ISC3 and Otto Krahn New Business Corporate Challenge 2022

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