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Start-up of the Month

Innovation Showcases

With each “Start-up of the Month”, the ISC3 tells the story of a company and its founder(s), gives insights into their innovation, and explains their relation to sustainability. The Start-ups presented here are all signed up to the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, which provides them with tailored support to develop and scale their business based on the principles of Sustainable Chemistry.

Discover our Start-ups

Renasens

Renasens

No waste, only resources

The female-led Swedish start-up Renasens has developed a clean, waterless recycling technology that transforms textile waste into valuable new resourc...

Egrobots

Egrobots

New technologies for a more sustainable agriculture

Egrobots, a start-up from Egypt, developed a solution for efficient farm monitoring and management using AI and robotics. Their innovation includes an...

Theseus Development

Theseus Development

Pioneering a green built environment with geopolymers

The Ghanian start-up Theseus Development produces an alternative material to cement-based concrete for the construction industry called "geopolymer". ...

AR-ENA

AR-ENA

creating more food with less water

AR-ENA is a female-led start-up from Jordan, that produces a new type of hydrogel – polymers which absorb air humidity and capture liquids and can b...

Vienna Textile Lab

Vienna Textile Lab

Rethinking colours

Austrian start-up Vienna Textile Lab produces biodegradable dyes and pigments utilizing naturally occurring microorganisms. Low-emission production, t...

ZILA BioWorks

ZILA BioWorks

Revolutionizing plastics

The American start-up ZILA BioWorks is transforming hard-tech manufacturing with drastically cleaner, greener chemistry, while supporting rural commun...

Neptunus Biotech

Neptunus Biotech

the power of the ocean in benefit of the soil

The Mexican start-up Neptunus Biotech extracts bioactive compounds from marine microalgae which are used as a bio-stimulant for crops. The assimilatio...

Ecorich Solutions

Ecorich Solutions

Turning waste into food

African start-up Ecorich Solutions uses an innovative technology called “the Wastebot decomposer machine” to convert organic waste into organic fe...

BIOWEG

BIOWEG

Revolutionizing The Future Of Bio-Ingredients

The German start-up BIOWEG found a way to replace petroleum-based chemicals with innovative bio-alternatives through fermentation and green chemistry....

Molepse BioResources

Molepse BioResources

Pioneering novel organic pesticides for grain farmers

The Kenyan start-up Molepse BioResources has developed two products, one for small scale and one for large scale grain farmers, to protect their harve...

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround

Circular economy approach for climate-smart agriculture

Germany-based start-up ClimEtSan-OnTheGround has implemented an integrated approach of pyrolysis cookstoves, eco-toilets, compost and regenerative agr...

Makabi Agritech

Makabi Agritech

Microcapsule for sustainable agricultural production

The Croatian start-up Makabi has created a 3-in-1 encapsulation technology for plant protection, nutrition and controlled release of bioactive compone...

Aquamet

Aquamet

Innovative approach for sustainable aquaculture

The Ghanian start-up „Aquamet“ provides a sustainable and affordable solution to maximize fish farmers´yield. The start-up developed a device to ...

Plastale

Plastale

Towards Sustainable Development through material innovation and circular economy

The Egypt-based start-up Plastale produces composite materials for different applications out of local plastic and crop waste. Their recycling process...

Bio-Sep

Bio-Sep

Driving the sustainable chemicals of the future

The British start-up Bio-Sep has developed the Sonichem technology and process capable of converting lignocellulosic biomasses such as hard and soft w...

Block Solutions Oy

Block Solutions Oy

Creating a better tomorrow with sustainable and affordable way of building houses

Block solutions Oy is a Finland-based company who has developed environmentally friendly Block-modules made of recycled plastics or in combination wit...

ECOPAPEL

ECOPAPEL

Biodegradable and reusable paper-based food packaging as an alternative to plastic

Colombia-based company CALI FOOD PAPERS S.A.S. started with new product line named ECOPAPEL that offers biodegradable, compostable and recyclable pape...

Ashaya

Ashaya

Increasing the value of waste & creating social impact with sunglasses from chips packets

India-based start-up Ashaya focuses on increasing the value of waste, especially waste that is usually hard to recycle and ends up mostly in landfills...

AppCyclers

AppCyclers

Innovative approach for e-waste management

Ghana-based start-up AppCyclers has developed a web- and app-based solution for local e-waste management services. They not only offer pick-ups and dr...

MYCOTEX

MYCOTEX

The Dutch Start-up MYCOTEX is part of a disruptive company named NEFFA | New Fashion Factory that attempts to change the way garments are produced. Wi...

EL MAT Sustainable Solutions

EL MAT Sustainable Solutions

The South African start-up EL MAT SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS has developed an innovative microbial fuel cell (MFC) solution with a triple output: it produc...

We Are Galaktika

We Are Galaktika

Innovative silicone recycling technology

The female-led start-up We Are Galaktika from Germany has developed a resource-efficient chemical recycling technology for end-of-life silicones and i...

B-Fresh Technologies

B-Fresh Technologies

Tackling food waste with an innovative active packaging solution

The Serbian start-up B-Fresh Technologies tackles the global problem of food waste with their innovative solutions based on a natural biopolymer emuls...

Materials in Works

Materials in Works

“Think circular, less is more”

Founded by a group of enthusiastic packaging material experts, the Malaysia-based start-up Materials In Works (MIW) is tackling global warming and env...

RAY Cosmetics

RAY Cosmetics

Finding beauty in the least possible places

Female-led start-up from Ethiopia, RAY Cosmetics, extracts collagen from fish skin waste for production of skin and hair-care products. In that way, t...

Natupla: Natural Plastic

Natupla: Natural Plastic

Single-use plastic alternative from starch

The Colombian start-up Natupla (Natural Plastic) is developing a starch-based plastic alternative. The biodegradable innovative solution of Natupla is...

AIPER

AIPER

Microbial biopigments for more sustainable fashion industry

The Brazil-based start-up AIPER has developed an innovative process for production of microbial biopigments that can be applied in textile dyeing and ...

XtendSolution

XtendSolution

Extending shelf-life of fruits, vegetables, and flowers with plant-based products

The Lebanon-based start-up, XtendSolution, has developed a natural, biodegradable solution in the form of a patch to extend the shelf-life of fresh pl...

Blockchainar

Blockchainar

Taking action towards green energy

Female-led start-up from Argentina, Blockchainar, is working on development of modular electrolytic cells to convert the solar and wind energy produce...

Reverion

Reverion

Reversibly operating fuels cells for clean energy and positive climate action

German spin-off from TU Munich, Reverion GmbH, has developed a new design for high temperature fuel cells, enabling a reversible operation as an elect...

Microciclo Biotecnologia

Microciclo Biotecnologia

Decontaminating oily wastewater and advancing circular economy

Female-led start-up Microciclo Biotecnologia from Brazil has developed microbial treatment for decontaminating industrial oily wastewater and enabling...

UP Catalyst

UP Catalyst

“Carbon nanomaterials made sustainably”

Estonia-based start-up UP Catalyst has developed electrochemical transformation technology to produce different types of carbon nanomaterials from CO2...

Cryosmetics

Cryosmetics

Caring for healthy skin and the environment

Uruguay-based start-up Cryosmetics develops all-natural skincare products that are free of any synthetic chemicals in order to promote skin health whi...

Shobab Energy

Shobab Energy

Towards the sustainable electrification of Sub-Saharan Africa

The Nigeria-based start-up Shobab Energy has engaged in addressing the lack of access to electricity that has long plagued Sub-Saharan Africa. This is...

ESy-Labs

ESy-Labs

Electrifying chemical synthesis

The Germany-based start-up ESy-Labs GmbH is using electrosynthesis as a platform for the synthesis of chemical compounds. The direct use of electricit...

IC2R

IC2R

Carbon recycling by developing innovative catalysis

The Italy-based start-up “Innovative Catalysis for Carbon Recycling” (IC2R) has brought forward carbon recycling by developing innovative catalysi...

Geyser Batteries

Geyser Batteries

Innovative high-power batteries with a sustainable approach

Geyser Batteries, a Finland-based startup, develops and manufactures innovative high-power batteries with a sustainable approach. The novelty lies in ...

INBIOAR

INBIOAR

Innovation in Natural Products for Crop Protection

The Argentina-based biochemical start-up INBIOAR was established a decade ago at the National University of Rosario with a vision of creating agrochem...

Sironix Renewables

Sironix Renewables

Creating high performing and ecofriendly products

The Seattle based start-up Sironix Renewables transform plants into eco-friendly high-performance ingredients for the household cleaning industry. Wit...

Cellugy

Cellugy

Fighting plastic waste with biocellulose

The female-led start-up CELLUGY from Denmark has developed a biocellulose-based product called EcoFLEXY that can be used as an alternative recyclable ...

SCHUTZEN Chemical Group

SCHUTZEN Chemical Group

Driving towards Sustainable Chemistry with tamarind polymer

The India-based start-up SCHUTZEN Chemical group has developed new technologies for processing polymer from tamarind seed and gaining desired properti...

Paraexcel

Paraexcel

Fighting post-harvest loss with edible coatings

Paraexcel Global Ltd., a Nigeria-based start-up, has developed edible coating for fruits, vegetables, and tubers to extend their shelf life and thus r...

AHEZA IWACU

AHEZA IWACU

Making a better home with waste management solutions

The female-led African start-up AHEZA IWACU provides innovative waste management solutions through collection, recycling, and upcycling of local organ...

CannaRe

CannaRe

Converting biomass wastes into food flavors and aromas

The Israel-based start-up CannaRe Renewable Technologies LTD converts agricultural and urban green waste into valuable chemicals in the form of phenol...

ZoraMat Solutions

ZoraMat Solutions

“A new dawn towards a clear blue sky”

ZoraMat Solutions, a Canadian start-up from Calgary, came onto the market with a metal organic framework material that acts like a molecular sponge ca...

Primitives Biodesign

Primitives Biodesign

Actively reducing food waste and plastics pollution

The female led San Francisco-based biotech startup Primitives Biodesign is actively reducing food waste and plastics pollution by engineering “smart...

EcoAct Tanzania

EcoAct Tanzania

Actively fighting and preventing deforestation and ocean pollution in Tanzania

The East African start-up EcoAct Tanzania invented an energy-conserving technology which transforms post-consumer plastic garbage and packaging materi...

MATSEN CHEMIE AG

MATSEN CHEMIE AG

Setting up a business completely focused on sustainability

The German start-up MATSEN CHEMIE AG is specialized in environmental friendly chemical distribution, focusing on products made from renewable raw mate...

REVY Environmental Solutions

REVY Environmental Solutions

Providing clean water, sanitation, and clean energy to Indian communities

The Gujarat-based Indian start-up REVY Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. specialises in producing bio-methane via anaerobic digestion processes and tr...

AKYAS

AKYAS

The Jordan start-up AKYAS invented toilets as biodegradable sanitizer kits

The Jordan-based start-up company AKYAS develops innovations for toilet solutions. One of their inventions is a toilet in the form of a 100% compostab...

Acticell

Acticell

The Austrian start-up is developing innovative, environmentally-friendly processes for denim fabrics.

The Austrian start-up Acticell is developing innovative, environmentally-friendly processes for denim fabrics. Thanks to its enzyme-based solutions, h...

Eco Nutrient Biotechnology Company Ltd.

Eco Nutrient Biotechnology Company Ltd.

Upcycling restaurant waste with insect larvae

The Hong-Kong-based start-up Eco-Nutrient Biotechnology Company Ltd. and its Foshan-based subsidiary, Little Fat Worm Biotechnology Company Ltd. are r...

KBCols

KBCols

Producing environmentally friendly colourants from microbes

The Indian start-up KBCols Sciences, founded by Dr. Vaishali M. Kulkarni, is extracting natural pigments and bioactive compounds from microbes and pro...

LeafyLife

LeafyLife

converts waste diapers into eco-friendly energy

The young Kenyan start-up LeafyLife, founded by Peter Gachanja (COO), Dennis Wachira (CEO), and Melvin Kizito (R&D), is improving lives of families, w...

Checkerspot

Checkerspot

Designing new high-performance and sustainable materials by utilizing nature’s molecular palette

Charles Dimmler, Scott Franklin and their team, are breeding and optimizing microbes that are able to biomanufacture unique structural oils. This su...

Le Qara

Le Qara

Creating vegan and sustainable leather for the fashion industry

Isemar and Jacqueline Cruz use biotech, engineering expertise, and microorganisms to create high-quality vegan leather that is biodegradable and toxin...

INDRESMAT

INDRESMAT

Developing game-changing processes and materials for a more sustainable building sector

With over a decade of expertise in the chemical and innovation fields, Pablo founded INDRESMAT with the goal of implementing sustainable technologies ...

Banyan Nation

Banyan Nation

Transforming the plastic waste value chain with technology-driven model

Mani Vajipey and Raj Madangopal are reshaping plastics recycling in India through their data intelligence platform for waste management and process fo...

Innoverda

Innoverda

Creating sustainable chemistry production processes

Innoverda’s innovators reduce energy consumption, chemical waste, and financial cost in chemical and pharamaceutical manufacturing with flow electro...

mobius

mobius

Turning organic waste into sustainable plastic products

Based in Tennessee, mobius is innovating breakthrough technologies that have the potential to transform the plastic and polymer specialty chemical ind...

Andes Bioenergy

Andes Bioenergy

Mario Salgado looking to revolutionize agro-industrial biomass waste refinement

Mario Salgado has developed a process to produce biochar from agribusiness biomass wastes which can improve tropical soils as well as provide renewabl...