CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE ISC3 AND OTTO KRAHN NEW BUSINESS CORPORATE CHALLENGE 2022 IN SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND NEW RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES AND STRUCTURES WITHIN AFRICA

Press Release

Frankfurt am Main, April 20th, 2022 – The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) and the Otto Krahn New Business GmbH & Co. KG launched the ISC3 Corporate Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and New Recycling Opportunities and Structures within Africa. Three best solutions will be awarded a monetary prize and the winners will receive a potential piloting opportunity. Furthermore, in addition to the finalists, innovators with solutions of particular relevance will be also considered for potential piloting opportunity. Contest applications will be accepted until June 30th, 2022.

a banner showing the topic of the challenge and showing images of unrecycled plastic and the silhouette of the african continent made from plastic bottle caps

The ISC3 Innovation Challenge is organized annually and focusses on a specific topic that follows the respective focus topic of the ISC3

The ISC3 Corporate Challenge is the first Sustainable Chemistry Corporate Challenge with the aim to match industry partners and start-ups based on unique industry calls in the chemical or chemical-related sector. The goal is to find tailored-made solutions to critical problems, promote innovation and accelerate Sustainable Development.

The current Corporate Challenge addresses innovators and entrepreneurs in Africa developing solutions in the following thematic areas:

Recovery and reuse of waste streams: plastic waste, construction waste, production waste, and other waste streams
Recycling, beneficial reuse, value recovery
Waste reclamation
Business models facilitating waste collection and valorisation
Recycling technologies and processes
Collection, transport, treatment, disposal, monitoring and regulation of waste
New innovations to improve the performance of materials and technology

Proposals submitted by female innovators and entrepreneurs that are tackling challenges in Africa are particularly encouraged.

Furthermore, the Otto Krahn New Business GmbH & Co. KG is planning a roadshow mid-June in Africa. Entrepreneurs applying before June 15th, will have the unique opportunity to be part of the roadshow and meet in person to discuss their innovations.

After the proposal evaluation period, finalists will receive access to the ISC3 Global Start-up Service’s customized support and will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations to the Otto Krahn New Business GmbH & Co. KG on July 15th 2022 during an online Event. A jury of experts will then choose the three winners of the ISC3 Corporate Challenge 2022.

The main winner will be awarded a prize of 3.000 EUR, the second place will be awarded a prize of 1.500 EUR, and the third place will be awarded 500 EUR. All of the winners will receive a potential piloting opportunity. Furthermore, in addition to the finalists, innovators with solutions of particular relevance will be also considered for potential piloting opportunity.

For more information and to submit your application, please visit: https://pro.evalato.com/4473

About the Partners:

Otto Krahn New Business GmbH & Co. KG

The Otto Krahn New Business GmbH & Co. KG is part of a family-owned group of businesses in the sector of compounding, distribution, and recycling of engineering plastics as well as chemicals and ceramics. Our vision is to create lasting value based on the ambition of partnership, sustainability, and innovation. Therefore, we are constantly looking for partnerships to jointly solve the complex challenges we and our industry face with innovative and sustainable solutions.

ISC3

The ISC3 is a global organization that promotes and develops Sustainable Chemistry solutions. It is a globally acting centre, a multi-stakeholder platform that engages civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemical policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on Sustainable Chemistry, thus also contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The centre was founded in 2017 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA). The ISC3 is anchored in the German GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and has established a Research & Education Hub at Leuphana University, Lüneburg, and an Innovation Hub at DECHEMA e.V., Frankfurt.