Media

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in June 2023, click here

Promoting investment in innovations in the field of Sustainable Chemistry

What's unique about this year's event with Start-ups from Europe, Africa, Latin America, North America and Asia is that it will be held live as part of the 5th World Chemical Conference (ICCM5) on September 28th in Bonn.

With the Investor Forum, the ISC3 brings international Start-ups, investors, scientists and decision-makers together. The annual event aims to promote investment in innovations in Sustainable Chemistry. "The fact that our Start-ups pitch their innovations at ICCM5 is a special opportunity for them, but also for ISC3," says Dr. Thomas Wanner, Managing Director of ISC3. "In addition to investors, such as venture capital funds, business angels and accelerators & incubators, they can thus directly inspire representatives from politics, industry, non-governmental organisations, science and environmental associations from more than 100 countries about the opportunities Sustainable Chemistry offers."

The pitches will be complemented by a live networking session in the evening, where participants can get to know each other and exchange ideas. Furthermore, the Investor Forum will feature a panel discussion on private and public international funding mechanisms to secure the innovation pipeline and the specific dynamics of the Sustainable Chemistry innovation ecosystem. In addition to the program of the live event on September 28th, further Start-up presentations, as well as matchmaking, will also be offered digitally.

Registration and further information can be found at https://isc3.org/page/investor-forum

Start-ups find solutions to secure needs of the present without endangering ecological, social and economic foundations of future generations

Le Qara from Peru, Natupla from Colombia, Ashaya from India and Ray Cosmetics from Ethiopia are among the international Start-ups that will bring their innovations in the field of Sustainable Chemistry to the World Chemical Conference (ICCM5) in Bonn to present them to international investors and decision-makers. What unites the founders? They have found solutions to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' environmental, social and economic foundations. Le Qara, for example, produces vegan leather from microorganisms. It has the same breathability as animal leather, is biodegradable, and the residues from the manufacturing process can be used as liquid compost, so there is no waste.

The Colombian Start-up Natupla – Natural Plastic, is another excellent example of Sustainable Chemistry solutions, offering a single-use plastic alternative made from starch. Natupla uses a cost-efficient process to obtain a product with properties comparable to conventional plastics while also being biodegradable. A positive side effect is the support of local starch producers and farmers.

Also at the ISC3 Investor Forum, Ashaya is pitching its innovation: sustainable sunglasses made from recycled chip bags. In this way, the Indian start-up shows how the value of waste can be increased through technological and scientific innovation in the field of recycling. Moreover, Ashaya distributes this value fairly to those involved in the supply chain, especially the poorest: the waste pickers.The responsible use of resources is also at the heart of RAY Cosmetics' innovation. The Ethiopian Start-up produces skin and hair care products from protein extracted from fish skins and scales. This protein, extracted in unique, sustainable processes, gives shampoos and creams anti-ageing as well as moisturising and detoxifying properties.

ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2023

A highlight of the ISC3 Investor Forum 2023 will be the award ceremony and presentations by the finalists of the fourth ISC3 Innovation Challenge. This year, the Euro 25,000 competition will honour the best ideas on Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture. "As the transformation of the chemical sector plays a key role in achieving most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we want the ISC3 Innovation Challenge to attract, reward and promote innovators in Sustainable Chemistry and their original solutions," says Dr Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub.

An international jury of experts selected the eight finalists (in alphabetical order) from a total of 113 high-ranking applications from Start-ups on five continents:

BIOWEG (Germany) has developed alternative biodegradable, biobased agricultural coatings by combining the power of bacteria, biotech and green chemistry. Their biodegradable coating emulsion replace petroleum and acrylic-based coatings from fertilizers and seeds.

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround GmbH (Germany) has developed ecological sanitation units and pyrolysis stoves that provide resources for biochar-compost production to restore soil fertility in smallholder agriculture. In addition, the Start-up provides carbon credits and affordable, nutrient-rich fertilizer for the Global South.

Ecorich Solutions Limited (Kenya) has developed the WasteBot, an AI household waste decomposer device that takes only 24 hours to convert household waste into affordable organic fertilizer that is 70% cheaper than common fertilizers. Ecorich Solutions uses soil-based microorganisms, AI-enabled recycling, robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to convert waste into organic fertilizer with 95% accuracy.

KNUST Precision Aquaculture – AquaMet (Ghana) is an integrated system that enables fish farmers to monitor and manage their water quality efficiently in order to reduce high fish mortalities, increase their yield and revenue. KNUST's technology employs an IoT smart probe that collects water quality parameters and sends them via Bluetooth to a server, which then transfers the data to a mobile app for farmers.

Makabi Agritech (Croatia) helps producing eco-friendly foods and reduces the environmental impact caused by today's agricultural practices by reducing the use of heavy organic chemicals and agrochemicals. Its solution is a smart biopolymer microcapsule with 3-in-1 technology: protection, nutrition and time-release mechanism that releases various bioactive components at the time the plant needs them the most.

Molepse BioResources (Kenya) is a Start-up manufacturing and distributing an innovative organic pesticide to grain producers. Dudukit is an effective insect repellent that eliminates both larvae and live weevils. This product has been developed using nanotechnology, which enhances its usability and effectiveness.

Neptunus Biotech (Mexico) is on a mission to address the challenge of crop stress caused by climate change. The start-up has developed bio stimulant products using microalgae technology. Their aim is to enhance crop resilience and productivity, specifically under stressful conditions like droughts, high and low temperatures and mechanical or chemical damage.

SCHUTZEN CARE PRIVATE (India) has patented technology for processing waste seeds of the tamarind tree fruits. The start-up develops singular products and versatile formulations, that possess very high biogenic C-14 isotope, high biodegradability, and very low biochemical oxygen demand. Furthermore, these products contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, as SCHUTZEN’s innovation can replace many fossil-based raw materials in specific industries, such as silicone, acrylates, or polyurethane.

Click here for more information.

For further information on the ICCM5 and to register, please visit: SAICM.

Ready, set, here are the Changemakers!

The fourth ISC3 Innovation Challenge that called for innovations in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture has it's finalists! The international jury of experts chose eight finalists from a large number of top-notch applications from five continents.

This year, the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) was looking for innovative solutions from all fields related to Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture, such as efficient use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, nutrient recovery, precision farming, water management, crop protection, valorisation of agricultural waste, shelf-life extension solutions and solutions related to renewable energy and agriculture.

"An international jury of independent reviewers, including representatives of the ISC3 partner organisations, and individually commissioned external experts, enabled a professional evaluation of all over 100 international submissions at a very high level," says Dr Alexis Bazzanella, Director of ISC3 Innovation Hub, thanking the jury on behalf of the ISC3. "The large number of consistently good applications from the international start-ups have once again proven to us that we are on the right track with the ISC3 Innovation Challenge. With their many good ideas and innovative solutions, the start-ups are making an important contribution to a more sustainable future."

After a long and careful preparation and two-rounds selection process that started out in April 2023, the following start-ups made it through to the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2023 finals competing with 113 further start-up solutions (alphabetic order):

BIOWEG (Germany)

BIOWEG has developed alternative biodegradable, biobased agricultural coatings by combining the power of bacteria, biotech and green chemistry. Their biodegradable coating emulsion replace petroleum and acrylic-based coatings from fertilizers and seeds.

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround GmbH (Germany)

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround has developed ecological sanitation units and pyrolysis stoves that provide resources for biochar-compost production to restore soil fertility in smallholder agriculture. In addition, the start-up provides carbon credits and affordable, nutrient-rich fertilizer for the Global South.

Ecorich Solutions Limited (Kenya)

Ecorich Solutions has developed the WasteBot, an AI household waste decomposer device that takes only 24 hours to convert household waste into affordable organic fertilizer that is 70% cheaper than common fertilizers. Ecorich Solutions uses soil-based microorganisms, AI-enabled recycling, robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to convert waste into organic fertilizer with 95% accuracy.

KNUST Precision Aquaculture – AquaMet (Ghana)

AquaMet is an integrated system that enables fish farmers to monitor and manage their water quality efficiently in order to reduce high mortalities, increase their yield and revenue. KNUST's technology employs an IoT smart probe that collects water quality parameters and sends them via Bluetooth to a server, which then transfers the data to a mobile app for farmers.

Makabi Agritech (Croatia)

Molepse BioResources (Kenya)

Molepse BioResources is a start-up manufacturing and distributing an innovative organic pesticide to grain producers. Dudukit is an effective insect repellent that eliminates both larvae and live weevils. This product has been developed using nanotechnology, which enhances its usability and effectiveness.

Neptunus Biotech (Mexico)

Neptunus Biotech is on a mission to address the challenge of crop stress caused by climate change. The start-up has developed bio stimulant products using microalgae technology. Their aim is to enhance crop resilience and productivity, specifically under stressful conditions like droughts, high and low temperatures and mechanical or chemical damage.

SCHUTZEN CARE PRIVATE (India)

SCHUTZEN CARE PRIVATE has patented technology for processing waste seeds of the tamarind tree fruits. The start-up develops singular products and versatile formulations, that possess very high biogenic C-14 isotope, high biodegradability, and very low biochemical oxygen demand. Furthermore, these products contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, as SCHUTZEN’s innovation can replace many fossil-based raw materials in specific industries, such as silicone, acrylates, or polyurethane.

All finalists will get access to the customized support of the ISC3 Global Startup Service in the form of an online pitch training. They will be featured via the ISC3 communication channels as “best practice examples for Sustainable Chemistry innovations” in the ISC3 series Start-up of the Month.

Furthermore, on the basis of their presentation in the end of the pitch training, the selected finalists will be given the chance to compete to win EUR 15.000 and pitch on September 28th, 2023 during the upcoming ISC3 Investor Forum 2023 that will take place live in Bonn, Germany as an official side-event at the 5th World Chemicals Conference (ICCM5). The ISC3 Investor Forum will close with the Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony, where, in addition to the main winner, two additional solutions will be awarded for their Impact, each with EUR 5.000.

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in July 2023, click here

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in June 2023, click here

Read more here

Read the interview here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in May 2022, click here

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in May 2023, click here.

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in April 2023, click here.

Read more here

Read the article here:

Read the Interview here:

Read the article here

CHEManager International

To read the whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in February 2023, click here

“Since the transformation of the chemical sector plays a key role towards achieving most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we want to attract, award and promote Sustainable Chemistry innovators and their original solutions through the ISC3 Innovation Challenge,”

The fourth Innovation Challenge 2023 calls for innovations in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture with the following subtopics:

• Fertilizers: efficient use of organic and inorganic fertilizers; avoidance of over-fertilization with potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus; supply and use of alternative fertilizers and further solutions for replenishing soil fertility and maintaining or re-establishing soil health (incl. CO2 sequestration)
• Nutrient recovery in soil, plants, feedstocks, products, etc. (such as secondary nutrients in plants, e.g.)
• Precision farming: use of digitalisation and automation for resource efficient farming; point application of fertilizers, pesticides and water
• Crop protection: production and use of natural biocides /biopesticides; benign substitutes for pesticides; biocide leasing as business model
• Water: Intelligent water supply; water harvesting, avoidance of water contamination with fertilizers
• Renewable energy and agriculture: use for desalination to provide fresh water; ammonia synthesis with green hydrogen
• Valorisation of agricultural waste: circularity approaches in agriculture
• Shelf-life extension solutions for fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc.
• Solutions fostering reduced externalized costs (biodiversity loss, drinking water pollution, soil compaction, erosion, etc.)

Innovations targeting the development of genetically modified seeds, GMO crops etc. are explicitly excluded from the scope of this challenge.

Finalists selected by the international jury after second stage of the application procedure will receive access to the customized support within the ISC3 Global Start-up Service as well as pitch training, networking possibilities and visibility via the ISC3 communication channels.

The ISC3 Global Start-up Service is the world´s first program to offer comprehensive support to innovators in Sustainable Chemistry. The unique program supports start-ups based on their needs and provides direct access to talent, experts and stakeholders, bringing relevant stakeholders together to find the right solutions.

The winner of the Innovation Challenge 2023 will be awarded a monetary prize of 15,000 EUR. In addition, the winners of two further categories, namely “Best Social Impact” and “Best Regional Impact”, will receive monetary prizes of 5,000 EUR each. All three winners will also gain digital award credentials including a blockchain-based certificate and badge.

Proposals submitted by innovators and entrepreneurs from the global South, and proposals tackling challenges in developing countries are particularly encouraged, as are proposals coming from female entrepreneurs. After the proposal evaluation period (June 1 – July 9, 2023), the finalists will be officially announced after July 15, 2023. The Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony will be held in autumn 2023.

Application: ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2023 in Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture (evalato.com)

It is open access and can be downloaded here.

ISC3 Investor Forum & Innovation Showcase 2022

On the first day of the Investor Forum 2022, Moderator Dr. Alexis Bazzanella (Director ISC3 InnovationHub) welcomed Ms. Jocelyne Landry Tsonang (Executive team member at African Circular EconomyNetwork, Cameroon), Ms. Katerin Marcela Carrillo (Co-founder Natupla: Natural Plastic,Germany/Colombia), Ms. Alicia Sornson (Manager of Programs and Partnerships - MENA at VillageCapital, United States of America) and Ms. Leonie Klimpke (Head of Finance & ESG Expert, CavalryVentures, Germany). The experts' round discussed questions about the sustainability criteria wheninvesting in Start-ups, as well as the significance of investment impact from investors’ and founders’points of view. "You can continue doing business only if the planet is still there. The impact assessmentgoes beyond the carbon footprint. A more holistic approach is needed.” Ms. Tsonang stated.

The second Investor Forum session on November 10th was dedicated to financial and regulatoryframework for Sustainable Chemistry innovations in West Africa and their role and challenges to directinvestments in sustainable technologies that are needed for a transformative environmentaldevelopment. Ms. Joanna Bingham (Chief Executive Officer at Footprints Africa, UK/Ghana) opened thepanel with topical remarks on specific regional challenges for founders in West Africa and the importanceof a strong and diverse ecosystem. "in West Africa, green washing is not accepted by local communitiesand can cause the end of a venture in the region," Ms. Bingham stated. The panel moderator Mr. SamuelOpoku (Founding Partner, Start.Up Lounge Africa, Ghana) then started the panel discussion with theinvited experts Ms. Stephanie Eyram Akrumah (Impact Director, Centre for Green Growth (CenGG),Ghana), Ms. Joanna Bingham (Chief Executive Officer, Footprints Africa, UK/Ghana), Mr. Cyril Okoroigwe(Chief Executive Officer, Regtech Africa, Nigeria), and Ms. Justina Mensah (Program Officer: Deal Roomand Investor Engagement, Impact Investing Ghana, Ghana).

The two panel discussions were complemented by two pitching sessions with a total of 19 innovativeStart-ups on both event days. Furthermore, around 40 Start-ups from the field of Sustainable Chemistryhad the opportunity to present their innovations on a separate digital meeting platform for investors andStart-ups. The showcasing Start-ups’ information was also available in an exclusive digital Investor Booklet2022 for investors.

The best Start-up pitch of each event day was selected by the international audience and celebrated withan ISC3 Investor Forum Audience Award. In addition, on the second event day the winners of the ISC3Innovation Challenge were awarded. This year's competition focused on Sustainable Chemistry andWaste: Prevention, Valorisation & Management and was endowed with a total of EUR 25.000.

The winners of the Audience Voting Award are the following:

Vienna Textile Lab from Austria and Ecovon from Ghana won the hearts of the audience on the first forumday. The female-led start-up from Vienna uses microorganisms for the development of textile dyes tosubstitute conventional synthetic dyes. Ecovon is turning organic byproducts such as coconut husk andsugar cane bagasse into a formaldehyde-free renewable wood alternative.

The second day´s Audience Award went to Brickify from Nigeria. Brickify is tackling plastic waste andhomelessness by recycling plastic waste into water, fire, and heat resistant lumber and “lego” bricks toproduce affordable furniture as well as to construct low-cost houses.

The winners of the Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Waste: Prevention, Valorisation & Management are:

Female-led Ethiopian start-up RAY Cosmetics was awarded EUR 5.000 as the winner in the category "BestSocial Impact". RAY Cosmetics uses organic waste, namely fish skins and scales, to extract valuableprotein and further process it to produce domestic natural cosmetics such as skin and hair care products.Their process combines chemical engineering, food waste management and cosmetology. In addition, theStart-up team works with local youth and women, who collect the fish waste from the local lake, forexample.

The Malaysian Start-up Materials In Works won the innovation prize in the category "Best RegionalImpact", endowed with EUR 5.000. The Start-up has developed a treatment process that recoverscellulose from residual paper liner from the label packaging industry back into the value chain. Thus, theStart-up prevents the valuable paper liner residues from ending up in landfills and focuses on recoveringthe cellulose pulp as a raw material which meets the need of local paper manufacturers, as price andavailability of raw material are key concerns for industry players.

The main winner of the ISC3 Innovation Award endowed with EUR 15.000, was the female-led Start-upWe Are Galaktika from Germany. The Start-up team has developed a resource efficient technology for thechemical recycling of end-of-life silicones, and so tackling one of the most pressing but underestimatedenvironmental problems of our society. Their chemical recycling technology allows the use of end-of-lifesilicones as alternative feedstock for new high-quality silicones, consequently contributing to a circulareconomy, saving energy and resources, while having a beneficial carbon footprint balance.

Dr. Bazzanella (Director ISC3 Innovation Hub) closed the Award Ceremony: “We would like to sincerelythank all Sustainable Chemistry changemakers and the international expert jury for their importantadvancements and their participation in this international contest dedicated exclusively to SustainableChemistry solutions. The ISC3 Innovation Challenge aims to engage, award and promote SustainableChemistry innovators and their original solutions. The Innovation Challenge 2023 will focus on"Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture". The application period will start in mid-December 2022.”The Investor Forum 2022 was organized by the ISC3 Innovation Hub located at DECHEMA e.V. inFrankfurt. The Hub is also home to the Global Start-up Service that accompanies innovations in the field ofSustainable Chemistry in all development stages, from the laboratory to market maturity to expansionphase. In addition to events such as the Investor Forum, the Global Start-up Service of the ISC3 supportsinternational Sustainable Chemistry start-ups with a variety of further interesting support services.If you are a stakeholder interested in working with ISC3 as a partner, applying for the ISC3 InnovationChallenge 2023, or if you would simply like to know more about ISC3’s activities, please contact us.

Read the Factsheet to learn more about Biocide Leasing

Download Factsheet

On the first day, the Investor Forum 2022 participants will have the opportunity to learn about importance of sustainable investment, and the role Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholder capitalism and ESG concepts play in today’s investment landscape. What monetary value do they bring to the table? Which ESG criteria are important when investing in start-ups? After the panel discussion, ten amazing innovators from the ISC3 Global Start-up Service and partner organisations will pitch their innovations to the Investor Forum audience and compete for the Audience Voting Award.

The second day of the Investor Forum will be dedicated to financial and regulatory framework for Sustainable Chemistry innovations in West Africa and their role and challenges to direct investments in sustainable technologies that are needed for a transformative environmental development. Another highlight of this day are the pitches of the ten ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2022 finalists and the virtual Award Ceremony of the winners.

Every year, the ISC3 Investor Forum brings together founders, investors, scientists, and decision-makers from industry and politics to foster impact investment and innovation in the area of Sustainable Chemistry. Two panel sessions are complemented by two pitching sessions with 20 Sustainable Chemistry start-ups, and in total about 40 show-casing start-ups are presented in an Investor Booklet exclusively available for investors. In addition, matchmaking and networking opportunities for participating start-ups and international investors via a separate virtual platform solution make the ISC3 Investor Forum a must-attend event for investors, VCs and Business Angels in the chemical and related sectors. The presented start-up profiles will be available in a digital catalogue for registered investors shortly before the event date.

Registration Link: Home – ISC3 Investor Forum 2022 (converia.de)

Investor Forum 2022 Agenda

Read the Factsheet to learn more about Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Protection

Download Factsheet

When good ideas come together, opportunities for further development arise

Founded in 2022, the German start-up Reverion is pursuing a mission to counteract climate change. The company has developed a technology that aims to achieve 80 percent efficiency in generating electricity from biogas. To achieve this, the start-up relies on fuel cells in a novel system design that also allows them to be used reversibly. With this idea, Reverion has already convinced the ISC3 Global Start-up Service as Start-up of the Month for May 2022.

UP Catalyst from Estonia aims to develop sustainable electric batteries for electric vehicles. Since 2019, the company has been producing different types of sustainable carbon nanomaterials and graphite with a patented method using secondary raw materials. This young company was thus named ISC3 Global Start-up Services’ Start-up of the Month for March 2022. UP Catalyst’s innovation can prevent the release of CO2 emissions. Graphite is an important component, especially for electric vehicle batteries, and is, therefore, essential for the automotive market. And this is where the connection to Reverion exists.

Both companies are supported by the ISC3 Innovation Hub´s Global Start-up Service. The ISC3 was founded on the initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV, formerly BMU) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). It is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and supported by DECHEMA (ISC3 Innovation Hub) and Leuphana University (ISC3 Research & Education Hub).

The ISC3 Global Start-up Service is the world´s first program to offer comprehensive support to innovators in Sustainable Chemistry. The mentoring program supports start-ups and provides direct access to talent, experts and stakeholders, bringing relevant stakeholders together to find the right solutions.

The list of young companies that have been supported since 2018 shows founders’ enormous creativity and innovative power worldwide. A total of twelve of them impressively demonstrated this most recently at the “ISC3 and Friends Pitch Slam”, which the ISC3 held with the three partner organizations Forum Startup Chemie, 5-HT (Germany) and Brightlands (Netherlands), at the Innovation Stage of ACHEMA.

“To overcome the global challenges and achieve the goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, a rethink is needed in the chemical industry and all its related sectors. Sustainability is a process, and we must not stop striving and getting better,”

“Together with the Research and Education Hub, our Innovation Hub’s Global Start-up Service is a cornerstone of the ISC3’s activities and a unique source of knowledge and innovation that can make a substantial contribution to a more sustainable future,”

Download Factsheet

ISC3 and Friends Pitch on the Innovation Stage at ACHEMA 2022

At ACHEMA the ISC3 will focus on innovative ideas for Sustainable Chemistry. Among other things, two start-up companies will be showcased at the booth each day. They will present their solutions for a more sustainable world, some of which have already been features as “Start-up of the Month” as part of the ISC3’s Global Start-up Service. The International Collaborative Centre will also be hosting an ISC3 and Friends Pitch Slam from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Together with three partner organizations – Forum Startup Chemie and 5-HT from Germany, as well as Brightlands from the Netherlands – the ISC3 will introduce twelve start-ups from Brazil, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Kenya, Colombia, and the Netherlands who will showcase their ideas on the Innovation Stage in Hall 6.0.

“Together with the Research and Education Hub, our Innovation Hub’s Global Start-up Service is a cornerstone of the ISC3’s activities and a unique source of knowledge and innovation that can make a substantial contribution to a more sustainable future,” reports Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub. The Global Start-up Service is the world’s first program to offer innovators in the field of Sustainable Chemistry comprehensive support. The list of the young companies which have been supported since 2018 illustrates the immense creativity and innovative capacity of company founders all over the world. “To overcome the global challenges and achieve the goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, a rethink is needed in the chemical industry and all its related sectors. Our Global Start-up Service supports innovative solutions and thus contributes to this process,” says Dr. Thomas Wanner, Managing Director of ISC3.

The ISC3’s joint booth with Start-ups from Brazil, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Kenya, and Colombia will be located in Hall 6.0 at ACHEMA. The “Green Innovation Zone” will focus on the challenges and solutions on the way to achieving climate-neutral production. Pioneers, experts, and providers of solutions from industry, politics, and science will come together with decision makers and users. Alongside climate-neutral production, the key topics will be Industrial Water, Circular Economy, Sustainable Chemistry, and Biobased Economy. In addition to the Start-up Slam, the ISC3 invites companies and trade visitors to a discussion of its focus topic in 2022, “Sustainable Chemistry for Sustainable Energy”.

Twelve Start-ups chosen from the ISC3 Global Start-up Service as well as of three partner organizations – Forum Startup Chemie, 5-HT from Germany, and Brightlands from the Netherlands – will present twelve solutions for a sustainable future on the Innovation Stage in Hall 6.0 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022:

UP Catalyst (Estonian) is an technology Start-up which uses CO2 rich flue gases from heavy industry emitters as a feedstock for producing sustainable carbon nanomaterials and graphite, a critical raw material both in the EU and the US. www.upcatalyst.com

Reverion (Germany) enables an emission-free future and ensures a successful energy transition. The technology reaches electrical efficiencies of 80% and stabilizes the power grid in electrolysis mode. www.reverion.de

Biosolvit (Brazil) is a biotechnology company applied to sustainability, currently structured into three main areas: research and development of new materials, and industrialization of products for the preservation of flora and water. www.biosolvit.com

Block solutions (Finland) has developed environmentally friendly Block-modules made from recycled materials. Modules are used for building sustainable and safe homes for people all around the world. www.block-solutions.com

Packengeers (Germany) is the only consulting company for industrial packaging. Its own product portfolio with a sustainable packaging concept for solid product enables ecological and economical optimization. www.packengeers.com

NASKA robotics / RockFarm (Germany) is a scalable carbon removal service for business. Replicator devices absorb CO2 and generate replicator material. More replicators are available for leasing every year and in your region. www.innoverda.com

Innoverda (France) is developing new, innovative processes for the pharma and cosmetics industry that substitute toxic and corrosive chemicals. The aim of the French Start-up is to achieve cost and waste reductions.www.innoverda.com

Natupla (Columbia) developed compostable and biodegradable solutions for single-use plastic from cassava starch. Solving the low recyclability problem of PE and LDPE while having a positive social. www.natupla.com

LeafyLife (Kenya) has developed a novel and sustainable chemical process to recycle waste diapers in an energy-efficient way. The technique enables the diversion of diapers from landfills and produces secondary raw materials, fostering the circular economy.www.leafy-life.com

Carbonauten (Germany) is developing a system for industry, companies, and municipalities that reduces carbon emissions and costs. One of its aims is to reduce greenhouse gases by gigatons starting in 2022. www.carbonauten.com

Sypox (Germany) offers new technologies to electrify chemical processes. The technologies rely on a simplified design viable for both small modular applications and big industrial plants. www.sypox.eu

ReSolved Technologies (Netherlands) is developing solvent-based technologies for recycling technical plastics and (flexible) PVC. Founded at the end of 2020, the Start-up is based at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. www.resolved-tech.com

This year, the ISC3 was looking for innovative solutions from all fields related to Sustainable Chemistry and Waste, such as avoiding and reducing environmental impact, durability and resilience, substitution of critical product ingredients preventing recycling, product design for longevity and better recyclability, recovery and reuse of waste streams, energy and scarce element recovery, safe and sound management of waste, and waste management related to renewable energy supply.

After a long and careful preparation and two-rounds selection process that started out in April 2022, the following start-ups made it through to the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2022 finals competing with 170 further start-up solutions (alphabetic order):

• B-Fresh Technologies, Serbia
B-FRESH has developed a sustainable technology to help prolong fresh food shelf-life up to 100%. The technology encapsulates active components that are on the GRAS list (Generally Recognized as Safe), completely natural and nontoxic, to create an antimicrobial effect on a large number of different bacteria, yeasts, and mold. The solution is sprayed on top of fruit and vegetables, without influencing the taste or the packaging appearance.
• Brickify Ltd, Nigeria
Brickify is a social enterprise founded to address 3 problems: homelessness, poverty and plastic waste. The Nigerian start-up recycles plastic waste into water- and heat-resistant lumber and “lego” bricks, that are used to make a variety of products such as chairs, tables and even houses. The “lego” bricks are stronger and cheaper than other comparable options such as timber or cement products. As the name suggests, the bricks work in a lego-like manner, they interlock and do not need additional materials added to them when being used for construction.
• Cashew Shell BioRefinery, Germany
Cashew Shell BioRefinery extracts a specific substance from agricultural waste to synthesise bio products, with the potential of displacing millions of kg of existing fossil-based counterparts. In comparison, their bio-based products tend to have a neutral global warming potential, with a minimal exploitation of lands and water.
• Congretype Green Energy Solutions, South Africa
Congretype Green Energy Solutions produces biopesticides using food waste as a substrate-culture-media in a solid-state fermentation process. In that way, Green Energy Solutions offers innovative solution for farmers to exercise local control and viable pest management techniques, with potential to catalyze sustainable local agricultural development.
• EL MAT Sustainable Solutions, South Africa
EL MAT Sustainable Solutions has developed microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology with a dual function - cleaning wastewater and generating electricity. The technology could be applied in low income communities in urban and rural areas for de-centralized electricity producing facilities, utilizing organic waste generated by these communities (households) as well as manufacturers.
• Hustlenomics Pty Ltd, South Africa
Hustlenomics is an impact-driven social enterprise based in Soweto, South Africa. Hustlenomics key impact is replacing informal backyard shacks with durable structures using interlocking bricks made from recycled construction waste, and thereby providing sustainable income for homeowners and affordable rental accommodation for low-income earners.
• Materials In Works, Malaysia
Materials in Works has developed a treatment process that recovers cellulose back into raw material for paper manufacturers, preventing the valuable waste from ending up in landfills. This is mutually beneficial for the environment and the paper industry, as price and availability of raw material are key concerns for industry players.
• MycoTEX/ NEFFA, Netherlands
MycoTEX is a new biomaterial made from compostable mushroom roots for custom-made textile products. The start-up has already evolved into automated manufacturing method called New Fashion Factory (NEFFA). This patented process gives unprecedented design freedom to create silhouettes and textures that were never possible before with traditional manufacturing processes, all while guaranteeing a perfect fit.
• RAY Cosmetics, Ethiopia
RAY uses the agro-waste fish skin and scale to extract valuable protein and further process it to produce domestic natural cosmetics such as skin and hair care products. The process links chemical engineering, food waste management and cosmetology together.
• We Are Galaktika, Germany
We Are Galaktika’s team has developed a resource efficient technology for the chemical recycling of end of life silicones. Their chemical recycling technology allows the use of end-of-life silicones as alternative feedstock for new high-quality silicones, consequently contributing to a circular economy, saving energy and resources, while having a beneficial carbon footprint balance

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our international judging panel of 30 independent reviewers, amongst which ISC3 partner organization representatives, and individually assigned external experts, who made it possible to professionally assess all applications on a very high level.

Prizes & Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony

All finalists will get access to the customized support of the ISC3 Global Startup Service (ISC3 GSS) in the form of an online pitch training. They will be featured via the ISC3 communication channels as a “lighthouse case study for Sustainable Chemistry innovation” in the ISC3 series Start-up of the Month.

On the basis of their presentation in the end of the pitch training, the selected finalists will be given the chance to compete to win EUR 15.000 and pitch on November 10th, 2022 late afternoon CET during the upcoming all virtual fourth ISC3 Investor Forum 2022.

In this context SciTech Park Pune and the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) were looking for start-ups which align with one or more of UNEP’s Ten Objectives for Green and Sustainable Chemistry* to be seen as international shining examples for a sustainable transformation of a whole industry. The ten finalists have now the opportunity to showcase their innovation in the framework of “the Sustainable Chemistry Club” webinar series in front of Sustainable Chemistry Stakeholders and during theISC3 Investor Forum 2022 as part of the ISC3 Global Start-up Service's Personalised Support!

The following ten start-ups made it through to the finals (alphabetic order):

*The designations employed in the presentation of this material and the views expressed with regards to UNEPs Green and Sustainable Chemistry Objectives do not necessarily represent the views or stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme. Moreover, the presence of the below companies alongside The Ten Objectives and Guiding Considerations for Green and Sustainable Chemistry does not in any way constitute endorsement by UNEP*.

Alver World; Vladas Snieckus:

Alver World has created a microalgae cultivation technology, which allows to achieve nutrient rich algae cells, packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients. Algae are an ideal addition to a healthy diet due to their exceptional micro-nutritional values and high protein content, ideal for those striving for an animal protein-free diet.

Ashaya; Anish Malpani:

Ashaya is a social enterprise that aims to increase the value of waste through recycling and fairly redistribute that value to stakeholders in the supply chain, especially those who are the poorest: waste-pickers. Through chemo-mechanically recycling metalized multi-layered plastic packaging waste, Ashaya creates high-quality materials and products. This is achieved by the use of reactive extrusion and chemical depolymerization.

Coco Custo; Shaan Lalwani:

Coco Custo produces cleaning products, for laundry, dishes and surfaces. Their sustainable products perform as well as or better than the ones they replace. As the products are scientifically formulated from non-toxic, 100% biodegradable ingredients and made from certified organic oils, Coco Custo enables a non-toxic circularity.

E[co]work; Deepali Sinha Khetriwal:

E[co]work is a unique solution to a complex problem: the gap between informal e-waste dismantlers and sound recycling practices. Dismal working conditions and unscientific methods are dangerous and polluting. E[co]work takes the idea of a co-working space and adapts it for the e-waste recycling sector. In addition to the physical infrastructure with safe tools, secure storage and pay-as you-go model, a digital platform connects materials to markets helping to further circularity.

Help Us Green LLP; Karan Rastogi:

Help Us Green is a social enterprise that collects flower waste from the places of worship and convert them into incense sticks and colours with the help of underprivileged women creating a perfect example of circular economy in India. Thereby Help Us Green “flower cycles” 2.4 tons of flowers everyday with the help of 43 rural women.

MiniMines Cleantech solution; Anupam Kumar:

MiniMines technology comprises a low cost, closed loop environmentally sustainable process for battery recycling. The process uses aqueous solution, allows high conversion efficiency of electrode materials (≥ 97-99%), creates no wastewater (solidwaste (≤ 0.5 %)), has low energy consumption and zero emission of harmful gases.

Proklean Technologies Pvt. Ltd; Karthikeyan K.S:

Proklean Technologies’ proprietary probiotics-based technology uses the power of beneficial microorganisms to produce high performing biochemicals in a low impact process. Their manufacturing (fermentation) process is unique with extremely low energy consumption,no effluent generation and is completely safe for the employees in manufacturing as well as for all users of the products. In that way, Proklean Technologies’ innovation has helped many customers to reduce or eliminate use of toxic and hazardous chemicals.

REVY Environmental Solution; Vanita Prasad:

REVY is currently implementing optimized wastewater treatment technology. With its biotechnological approach, REVY helps provide clean water and sanitation, as well as affordable and clean energy to communities that want to become more climate-smart. Beyond this, with its comprehensive microbial bank, REVY is able to supply commercially viable and cost-effective fertilizer, biogas, and waste treatment solutions.

SCHUTZEN; Raj Mahendra Tanna:

SCHUTZEN is a diversified specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on replacing unsustainable chemical formulations, products, processes and ingredients across textile specialty chemicals, personal care chemicals, paint and coatings. As a raw material for almost all their innovations, SCHUTZEN uses abundantly available bio-waste from the seeds of the tamarind fruits.

Vriddhijal Agri Technologies; Amit Kumar Gupta:

Vriddhijal Agri Technologies produces an organic liquid fertilizer solution for Indian farmers. The organic liquid fertilizer allows to minimize the incidence of pest and diseases, improves water holding capacity and prevents soil erosion. Furthermore, the fertilizer products are completely safe for the soil and the environment.

The ten finalists were officially announced by ISC3 in the frame of the virtual Roundtable India: Andvancing the Ten Objectives for Green and Sustainable Chemistry on May 11th, which kicked off this year’s Sustainable Chemistry Club series. For more information please see here

Please get in touch with Silvia Nikova if you'd like to learn more.

The ISC3 will host its own booth in the Green Innovation Zone in Hall 6. Every day, we will feature 2 start-ups from our Changemaker Community and you can look forward to a pitch event on Wednesday, August 24th as well. Come learn more about our current work, projects and programs. We are excited to meet you! Further information can be found here in due time.

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.

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

The current third Innovation Challenge addresses innovators from around the world developing solutions in the following thematic areas:

Waste Prevention:

• Avoiding and reducing environmental impact
• Durability and resilience
• Waste reduction/avoidance by resource-efficient chemical and biotechnological production
• Substitution of critical product ingredients preventing recycling
• Product design for longevity and better recyclability

Waste Valorisation:

• Recovery and reuse of waste streams: plastic and other materials waste, electronic waste,
• agricultural and food waste, construction waste, production waste, wastewater and other waste streams
• Recycling, beneficial reuse, value recovery
• Waste reclamation
• Energy and scarce element recovery
• Business models facilitating waste collection and valorisation

Waste Management:

• Safe and sound management of waste
• Waste and waste-water treatment
• Harmful substances in materials and products
• Collection, transport, treatment, disposal, monitoring and regulation

ISC3 2022 special focus topic:

• Waste management related to renewable energy supply (e.g. recycling/recyclability of batteries, wind power plant blades, PV materials)

Proposals submitted by innovators and entrepreneurs from developing countries and proposals that are tackling challenges in developing countries are particularly encouraged, as are proposals coming from female entrepreneurs.

After the proposal evaluation period (June 16 – July 11, 2022), five finalists will be officially announced after July 15, 2022. They will receive access to ISC3 Global Start-up Service’s customized support, as well as pitch training, networking possibilities and visibility via the ISC3 communication channels. The winners of the Innovation Challenge 2021/2022 will be awarded in the frame of the November-held Investor Forum 2022. In addition to the main prize of 15.000 EUR, the winners of two further categories, namely “Best Social Impact” and “Best Regional Impact”, will receive monetary prizes of 5.000 EUR each. All three winners will also gain digital award credentials including a blockchain-based certificate and badge.

The ISC3 Innovation Challenge aims to engage, award, and promote sustainable chemistry innovators and their original solutions, since the transformation of the chemical sector plays a crucial role towards achieving most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information and to submit your application, please visit: ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2022 (evalato.com)

Contact

Astrid Ewaz, Project Manager/Events, ISC3 Innovation Hub

astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

+49 69 7564-623

Frankfurt am Main, 9-11 November 2021 – This year’s Investor Forum 2021 took place in the frame of the very first "Global Sustainable Chemistry Week (GSCW)" hosted by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3). A total of 170 international guests from start-ups, finance, industry, science, NGOs and politics took part in the virtual third international Investor Forum of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3).

The ISC3 is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of its third Virtual Investor Forum. During the three-day expert event, the ISC3 brought together innovative sustainable chemistry and renewable energy solutions in front of distinguished international investors. Throughout this event, investors had the opportunity to interact firsthand with our sustainable chemistry Start-ups and engage in in-depth conversations about their solutions. Additionally, the ISC3 presented diverse panels in the topics of new and alternative business models; regulation and reporting in connection with chemical-related restrictions and the role of sustainable chemistry in the energy transition and ways forward and concluded the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2020/2021 with the award ceremony.

In our three-day event, Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub, welcomed the international audience and was complemented by Ms. Andrea Ortega, Junior Communication Manager ISC3 IH, Germany, and Ms. Juanita Halblaub, International Relations Manager ISC3 IH, Germany, who then led through the sessions on the second and third conference day respectively.

On the first day, the session opened with an introduction on alternative and sustainable business models held by Prof. Dr. Thomas Clauß, WIFU-Endowed Chair for Corporate Entrepreneurship & Digitalization in Family Business at Witten/Herdecke University, Germany; Adjuct Professor for Business Model Innovation at University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Alicia Sornson, Manager, Programs and Partnerships - MENA at Village Capital, United States of America. Together with Ms. Zubeida Zwavel, Executive Director at the Centre for African Resource Efficiency and Sustainability (Cares), Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thomas Jakl, former President of EU Council working group on international environmental policy (chemicals) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Co-Author of "Chemical Leasing" and "Chemical Leasing goes Global", Austria, Prof. Dr. Thomas Clauß, WIFU-Endowed Chair for Corporate Entrepreneurship & Digitalization in Family Business at Witten/Herdecke University, Germany and Adjuct Professor for Business Model Innovation at University of Southern Denmark, and Mr. John Kayenje, Cost Containment Manager, Crown Beverages Ltd., Uganda, she discussed the topic of sustainable and alternative business models.

On the second day, the session opened with a discussion on Finance and Sustainability as an Introduction to the current Taxonomy Discussion held by Mr. Blake Goud, CEO at Responsible Finance & Investment (RFI) Foundation, United Kingdom. Followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Cornelia Frentz, Manager Corporate Governance at European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF). The panelists consisted of Mr. Blake Goud, CEO at Responsible Finance & Investment (RFI) Foundation, United Kingdom, Prof. Dr. Marzia Traverso, Rapporteur at the Technical Working Group European Platform on Sustainable Finance, Belgium, Prof. Dr. Martin Führ, Research focuses on environmental law and industrial plant law, and regulatory impact assessment, legal expert for the German Bundestag, and Mr. Peter van der Zandt’s, Director of Risk Management at the European Chemicals Agency, Finland.

And finally during the last day, Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub moderated a lively panel discussion on the Role of Sustainable Chemistry in the Energy Transition and Ways Forward between Mr. Thomas Goergen, VP Global Alliance Management at Covestro Deutschland AG, Germany, Dr. Soren Bowadt, European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit “B3 Industry”, European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), Belgium, Ms. Sonia Rueda, Chemical Industry Advisor at GIZ PtX-Hub, Germany, Mr. Florian Sigmund, Investment Manager at frankly.green, Germany, and Ms. Florentine Van den Eerenbeemt, Responsible Investment Specialist at NN Investment Partners, Netherlands.

All three panel discussions were complemented by pitching sessions with a total of 20 innovative start-ups on all three event days. In addition, further 20 start-ups from the field of sustainable chemistry presented their innovations on a separate meeting platform for investors and start-ups, as well as in a digitally available IF21 Investor Brochure. During the individual start-up and investor meetings, a total of almost 1000 minutes of B2B meetings were streamed, and it is expected that even further meetings between the ISC3 GSS start-ups and registered 20 top-tier investors might be scheduled during the next year.

In addition, the best start-up pitch per event day was selected by the international audience and celebrated with an ISC3 Investor Forum Audience Award. The winners are the following:

The Egyptian start-up "Mycelium", winner of the first day, is a biotech start-up that produces an innovative and plastic-like material from mushroom and crop waste. The Ugandan start-up “Ouroots Africa”, winner of the second day, provides plant based sustainable alternatives to single use plastic and other plastics that are 100% biodegradable and compostable. The winner of the third day, the Kenyan start-up “LeafyLife” is recycling waste diapers and sanitary pads into a fuel gel that emits 76% less carbon dioxide, no carbon monoxide, and no smoke or soot that lasts 10% longer than kerosene.

The ISC3 Investor Forum ended with the announcement of this year’s winners of our Innovation Challenge on Renewable Energies and Sustainable Chemistry. The ISC3 Innovation Challenge aims to engage, award and promote sustainable chemistry innovators and their original solutions.

The Investor Forum 2021 was organized by the ISC3 Innovation Hub located at DECHEMA e.V. in Frankfurt. The hub is also home to the Global Start-Up Service that accompanies innovations in the field of sustainable chemistry in all development stages, from the laboratory to market maturity to expansion phase. In addition to events such as the Investor Forum, the Global Start-up Service of the ISC3 supports international sustainable chemistry start-ups with a variety of further interesting support services.

The fourth Investor Forum organized by ISC3 and its international partners is currently scheduled for autumn/winter 2022, with the innovation challenge 2021/2022 focusing on "Sustainable Chemistry and Waste: Prevention, Valorization & Management".

AWARD CEREMONY FOR THE ISC3 INNOVATION CHALLENGE 21/22 IN SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND RENEWABLE ENERGIESThis year’s competition winners and announcement of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2021/2022

On November 11th, the winners of the ISC3 Innovation Competition 2020/2021 with a focus on Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energies were announced as part of the virtual Investor Forum 2021, and the winning innovations were selected at a festive award ceremony. The Challenge aims to engage, award and promote sustainable chemistry innovators and their original solutions.

The following start-ups convinced the international jury and stakeholders across the board as part of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2020/2021:

The main winner of the ISC3 Innovation Award in Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energy, endowed with €15,000, was the Estonian start-up UpCatalyst. The start-up produces sustainable carbon nanomaterials from CO2 and waste biomass for a vast range of applications from battery technologies to biomedicine.

The Nigerian start-up Shobab Energy won the innovation prize in the awarded category "Best Regional Impact", endowed with €5,000. Ms Tosin George, Founder of Shobab Energy, is positioning to deliver sustainable, reliable, and affordable electrification best fit for off-grid communities via a hybrid system using biomass resources and Solar PV technology.

And the Kenyan start-up LeafyLife not only won the hearts of the audience on the third conference day, but also the Innovation Challenge Award 2020/2021 in the category "Best Social Impact", endowed with €5,000. LeafyLife recycles waste diapers and sanitary pads into a fuel gel that emits 76% less carbon dioxide, no carbon monoxide, and no smoke or soot. and thus provides clean fuel for safer and healthier African homes while cleaning the environment and mitigating climate change.

The ISC3 would like to thank all sustainable chemistry changemakers and our expert jury consisting in 30 international judges for their important advancements and their participation in this second international contest dedicated exclusively to sustainable chemistry solutions only.

The call for applications for the next Innovation Challenge 2021/2022 that focusses on finding and awarding solutions from the field of “Sustainable Chemistry and Waste: Prevention, Valorization & Management” will start in January 2021.

For further information on the competition, eligibility, and how to register your participation in the 2022 edition of the ISC3 see the Innovation Challenge site.

Contact

Astrid Ewaz, Project Manager/Events, ISC3 Innovation Hub

+49 69 7564-623, astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

Participants will be able to learn about impact investment as a driver for innovations in sustainable chemistry, find out how the energy transition relies on sustainable chemistry solutions, which challenges the renewable energy paradigm holds for the chemical sector, and how policies and the finance sector can help to incentivize the transition towards a greenhouse gas neutral sector. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires massive technological changes in multiple areas such as energy, biotechnology, construction, agriculture, and others. The chemical sector is a key contributor to these changes and is capable of transforming energy production and storage, insulation materials, food production and more in environmentally friendly products.

The Investor Forum 2021 will address questions, such as: How can renewable energy impact the chemical sector carbon footprint? How is the current taxonomy discussion contributing to a more sustainable industrial landscape? How do regulation, restriction (REACH), reporting (taxonomy), as a new framework for international investments and innovations, contribute to a successful development in this important sector? And what is the Role of Sustainable Chemistry in the energy transition and ways forward?

The Investor Forum, held virtually for the second time from November 9th to November 11th, 2021, will connect founders, investors, and experts as well as decision-makers from industry, science, and politics, to explore these crucial questions. Its panel discussions will be matched by three pitching sessions, featuring 20 sustainable chemistry start-ups, additional innovation showcases of cutting-edge entrepreneurs, as well as speed dating and networking opportunities with international investors via a separate virtual platform solution. The featured start-ups profiles will soon be available for investors in a digitally available investor booklet. Beyond this, the Investor Forum will also again host the Presentations of the Finalists and the Award Ceremony of the global EUR 25,000 ISC3 Innovation Challenge in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Chemistry.

See the Investor Forum page for Information on the next Investor Forum:

Renewable Energy and Sustainable Chemistry Solutions

The Challenge is organized annually with a changing thematic focus, and the final applications selected span a broad range of renewable energy and sustainable chemistry solutions. This year, the ISC3 was specifically looking for sustainable chemistry solutions from fields such as renewable energy supply and greenhouse gas reduction, performance of materials and technologies, chemical production technologies based on carbon neutral energy and CO2 feedstock supply, durability and resilience, renewable energy sources as feedstock supply in chemical transformations, and storage capacity building.

After a long and careful preparation and selection process that already started out in March 2021, the following start-ups made it through to the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2021 finals competing with 62 further start-up solutions (alphabetic order):

• BioCORE; Stephan Herrmann, Germany:

• Geyser Batteries Oy; Daria Hedberg and Anu Rousku, Finland:

• IC2R Innovative; Michele Aresta, Italy:

• LeafyLife; Peter Gachanja, Kenya:

• Shobab Energy; Oluwatosin George, Nigeria:

Shobab Energy is using waste from oil palm-productions as biomass resource in combination with solar photovoltaics to provide universal access to modern energy services. These decentralized systems allow 85 million Nigerians to gain access to more sustainable electricity and prevent smoke pollution.

• ESy-Labs GmbH; Tobias Gärtner, Germany:

• UP Catalyst; Gary Urb, Estonia:

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our international judging panel of 30 independent reviewers , amongst which ISC3 partner organization representatives, ISC3 Advisory Board members, and individually assigned external experts, who made it possible to professionally assess all applications on a very high level.

All finalists will get access to the customized support of the ISC3 Global Startup Service (ISC3 GSS) Programme in the form of an online start-up training. They will be featured via the ISC3 communication channels as a “lighthouse case study for sustainable chemistry innovation”.

On the basis of their presentation in the end of the training, five finalists will be shortlisted and given the chance to compete to win EUR 15.000 and pitch on November 11th, 2021 late afternoon CET during the upcoming all virtual third ISC3 Investor Forum 2021 that will be held in the frame of the first online ISC3 Sustainable Chemistry Week 2021 .

To learn more about our ISC3 Innovation Challenge Award nominee’s, and to register for the ISC3 Investor Forum 2021, please visit www.isc3.org.

The ISC3 Investor Forum 2021 is a must attend event for international VCs and angel investors that are looking to invest in innovative sustainable chemistry technologies.

The ISC3 is an international centrepromoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting centre, a multi-stakeholder platform that engages with civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on Sustainable Chemistry. Thecentre 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.

Astrid Ewaz
Project Manager/Events
ISC3 Innovation Hub
T +49 69 7564-623
astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

ISC3 Innovation Hub at Achema Pulse 2021, the digital flagship event for the process industry focussing on Sustainability.

Ideas Competition for Start-Ups based in Brazil

Dear Brazilian Start-Ups,

we just extended our Open Labs Brazil ideas competition submission deadline forinnovative business ideas from the field of sustainable chemistry to 27 July 2021.

Dare to apply! -Are you in it to win it?

Chemical Leasing Award - ISC3 member of Jury

Launch of “Open Labs Brazil” - Ideas Competition for Start-Ups based in Brazil

April 6th, 2021, Rio de Janeiro - The SENAI Institute of Innovation in Green Chemistry , the SENAI Institute of Innovation of Biosynthetics and Fibers from SENAI CETIQT , the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) and the London-based company Clustermarket launched an Ideas Competition for Start-Ups based in Brazil . “Open Labs Brazil” addresses all innovators, entrepreneurs and start-ups developing Sustainable Chemistry solutions. Applications are open from April 1st, 2021 until May 31st, 2021 .

The two best ranking start-ups of the start-up ideas competition will receive a service prize of 1-2 months acceleration period and sign a contract with SENAI on lab access , principal investigator support and supervision at one of the SENAI Institutes in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)/Brazil, including use of equipment and lab facilities to run research and experiments needed to develop the start-up’s innovation. Beyond this, they will additionally receive tailored expert consultation for Sustainability Assessment.The ten highest ranking finalists will receive introduction to Sustainable Chemistry (Workshop on Sustainability Assessment) and visibility via ISC3/SENAI communication channels. All accepted applicants will be enabled to access /page/innovation-entrepreneurship/global-start-up-service ISC3 LEVEL-1 General Support, including access to the ISC3 Online Library and Sustainable Chemistry Toolbox, as well as access to a closed community of international SC start-ups on LinkedIn for peer-to-peer support.

The “Open Labs Brazil” project pilot aims to engage and support Sustainable Chemistry innovators in Brazil granting them access to scientific infrastructure and technical support offered by all project partners, as Green and Sustainable Chemistry innovators play a key role in enabling a sustainable future and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Ideas Competition focuses on Sustainable Chemistry innovators operating in the chemistry space with the potential to solve pressing challenges for sustainable and inclusive development and/or to contribute to more sustainable value chains. This includes following sectors:

• manufacturing chemicals/chemical products,
• using chemicals/chemical products for own products and services,
• providing solutions or services impacting the use of chemicals/chemical products across sectors and supply chains,
• providing technical innovation for chemicals/chemical product manufacturing or use
• new materials/products from renewable sources

Proposals submitted by innovators tackling social and environmental sustainable chemistry challenges are considered as particularly important. Female entrepreneurs are specifically encouraged to submit a proposal.

For more information on the ideas contest, please visit: ISC3 - International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre: Open Labs Brazil 2021

To apply (until May 31st at the latest), please visit: https://easyfeedback.de/ISC3SENAIApplicationsOpenLabsBrazil/1299768/42k875.

Please note that in the frame of the “Open Labs Brazil” Pilot, all participating innovators are required to provide a link to a video pitch of their business idea.

Please expect the contest winners to be announced after June 15th, 2021.

About the ISC3

The ISC3 is an international centrepromoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting centre, a multi-stakeholder platform that engages with civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on Sustainable Chemistry. 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

Contact

Astrid Ewaz
Project Manager/Events
ISC3 Innovation Hub
T +49 69 7564-623
astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

Download as pdf.

Making science more accessible for all innovators.

The UK based start-up Clustermarket, the SENAI Innovation Institute for Biosynthetic and Fibers from SENAI CETIQT, SENAI Innovation Institute for Green Chemistry and ISC3 have just agreed on a joint project with the aim of increasing collaboration in scientific research and innovation in Brazil. By leveraging the worldwide used software developed by Clustermarket and the already existing lab infrastructure and equipment in Brazilian research institutions such as SENAI, this partnership has the goal to make these resources visible and readily available. All together, all parties will work to increase access to otherwise expensive and hidden lab resources for scientists and innovators across the country. Together with ISC3, the project is particularly focused on the Sustainable Chemistry field, which will be used as the pilot research field with more news to come in the next months! The project will offer knowledge, study cases and practical tools for better organising, sharing and advertising equipment and services at laboratories from universities and research institutes, making these more accessible to external users from the academic, industry and startup communities.

Clustermarket Ltd.
SENAI CETIQT
SENAI Innovation Institute for Green Chemistry
ISC3
18th March 2021

Download as pdf.

ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2021 on Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energies

Frankfurt am Main, February 1, 2021

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE ISC3 INNOVATION CHALLENGE IN SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND RENEWABLE ENERGIES

The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) launched the call for applications for the ISC3 Innovation Challenge in Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energies. The ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2020/2021 addresses innovators from around the world which are active in developing sustainable chemistry solutions linked to renewable energies. Five finalists will receive access to the customized support within the ISC3 Global Start-up Service as well as pitch training, networking possibilities and visibility via the ISC3 communication channels. In the frame of the November-held Investor Forum 2021, the winner of the Innovation Challenge 2021 will be awarded a monetary prize of 15,000 EUR. In addition, the winners of two further categories, namely “Best Social Impact” and “Best Regional Impact”, will receive monetary prizes of 5.000 EUR each. All three winners will also gain Digital Award Credentials including certificate and badge. Contest applications will be accepted from 0:00 a.m. (CET) December 18, 2020 until 0:00 a.m. (CEST) April 1, 2021.

The ISC3 Innovation Challenge aims to engage, award and promote sustainable chemistry innovators and their original solutions, since the transformation of the chemical sector plays a key role towards achieving most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ISC3 Innovation Challenge is held annually and is thematically oriented on an annually selected focus topic. The first ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2019/20 called for innovations in the field of Sustainable Living and Building. The second ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2020/2021 is dedicated to innovative Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energy solutions, such as:

• Sustainable chemistry solutions for renewable energy supply and greenhouse gas reduction
• Performance of materials and technologies
• Chemical production technologies based on carbon neutral energy and CO2 feedstock supply
• Durability and resilience
• Renewable energy sources as feedstock supply in chemical transformations
• Storage capacity building

Proposals submitted by innovators and entrepreneurs from developing countries and tackling challenges in developing countries are particularly encouraged, as are proposals coming from female entrepreneurs.

After the proposal evaluation period (June 1 – July 9, 2021), the five finalists will be officially announced after July 15, 2021. The Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony will be held in the frame of the Investor Forum in November 2021.

About the ISC3

The ISC3 is an international institution promoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting institution, a multi-stakeholder platform that engages with civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on Sustainable Chemistry. 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.

Contact

Astrid Ewaz
Project Manager/Events ISC3 Innovation Hub
T +49 69 7564-623
astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

2nd Investor Forum: Catalysing Innovation through Investments in Sustainable Chemistry

The second edition of the Investor Forum, 21 – 23 October 2020, organised by the ISC3 and Think Beyond Innovation Accelerator™, explores how sustainable chemistry can support innovations in achieving the SDGs. Participants will discuss the role of frontier capital and blended financing mechanisms to secure the innovation pipeline, and the dynamics of the innovation eco-system.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires massive technological changes in multiple areas such as energy, new materials, bioeconomy, construction, agriculture and others. The chemical sector is a key contributor to these changes and is capable of transforming energy production and storage, insulation materials, food production and more in environmentally friendly products. How can this innovation be identified, developed, supported and adequately financed? What are the proper financial mechanisms that support this emerging innovation pipeline? What is the role of science, industry and innovation to support this vital process and what kind of infrastructure is needed?

The Investor Forum, held virtually for the first time will connect founders, investors, and experts as well as decision-makers from industry, science, and politics, to explore these crucial questions. Its panel discussions will be matched by three pitching sessions, featuring 20 start-ups, and as many as 40 innovation showcases of cutting-edge entrepreneurs, as well as speed dating and networking opportunities with international investors via a separate virtual platform solution. The featured start-ups profiles are available on our partner website and in a digital investor booklet.

ISC3 Innovation Challenge prize awarded for the first time

The Investor Forum also hosts the Presentations of the Finalists and the Award Ceremony of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge. The Innovation Challenge took place for the first time and awards the best start-ups in the field of sustainable building and living with 25.000 EUR prize money.

Registration Link: Investor Forum 2020 and Innovation Showcase
Link to Agenda: Catalysing Innovation through Investments in Sustainable Chemistry

About the ISC3

The ISC3 is an international institution promoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting institution, a multi-stakeholder platform that engages with civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on Sustainable Chemistry. 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.

Contact

Astrid Ewaz
Project Manager/Events ISC3 Innovation Hub
T +49 69 7564-623
astrid.ewaz©isc3.org

To be more sustainable, chemical products need to be simplified

Taking pollution and increasingly scarce raw materials into account, the chemical industry must shift its products and processes towards a circular economy. This implies that waste must be primarily avoided, and products need to be developed in a way that they can be reused or recycled. In their article in the renowned journal Science, Prof. Klaus Kümmerer, Director of the ISC3 Research and Innovation Hub and Professor of Sustainable Chemistry and Material Resources at the Leuphana University, Prof. John Clark, University of York, and Prof. Vânia Zuin, University of São Carlos, put forward guidelines on how to rethink chemistry to facilitate a circular economy. Clark and Zuin are also members of the ISC3 Scientific Board.

Shaping a Circular Economy

In a circular economy, products are in the first place used as long as possible, and then are reused, repaired, and recycled. "Circularity saves raw materials and reduces environmental impacts. However, today many products cannot be recirculated or recycled because low concentrations or high dispersion make it impossible to reuse them", describes Kümmerer the limitations of this approach. "Often, when we reuse materials, we downcycle them, because it is not possible to restore the same high-quality material. The solution here is a better product design from the beginning."

Keeping it simple

In their article, the authors suggest that scientists decipher chemicals at the atomic and molecular level and decode how their design can fit into the concept of a circular economy. This implies simplifying the molecular complexity so that products are as simple as possible in their composition, contain fewer additives, and avoid toxic components and those that are difficult to separate during the recycling process. Altogether, the authors put forward 15 rules on how chemistry can be integrated into a circular economy. They demand that companies assume responsibility for their products throughout their complete life cycle and hope that they become more involved in the research and development of recycling technologies, as well as improved product design in the sense of the circular economy.

Original Publication: Klaus Kümmerer, James H. Clark, Vânia G. Zuin, Rethinking chemistry for a circular economy, Science, January 24, 2020, Issue 6476, pp. 369-370, DOI: 10.1126 / science.aba4979/ (restricted access)

New Partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America join the ISC3 Spiderweb Network

The partners agreed to collaborate during the first ISC3 Stakeholder Forum in Bonn, Germany and the three organizations joined the global ISC3 Spiderweb Network. The ISC3 and the new partners have agreed to cooperate and support sustainable chemistry innovation by setting up activities in the respective regions. Andreas Förster, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub, states: “The ISC3 is looking forward to cooperate with our new partners in the fields of entrepreneurship promotion and education. Together we will foster the transformation towards sustainable development”. The first mutual activities will start in the second half of 2019.

The Spiderweb Network Through its Innovation Hub, hosted by the German non-profit professional society DECHEMA, the ISC3 initiates and supports sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in the chemicals and chemicals-related sectors. For the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, the ISC3 has established the Spiderweb Network, as a growing community of organisations and individuals with a shared vision on the role of Sustainable Chemistry. One of the key tools for the collaboration with the new partners is the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, the world's first global program to support start-ups in the field of sustainable chemistry. The service targets entrepreneurs along the entire innovation chain: ideators, early-stage innovators and advanced entrepreneurs who have the potential to solve urgent environmental challenges of sustainable and inclusive development.

Strategic collaboration for sustainable chemistry in South America

The National Agency for Research and Innovation of Uruguay (ANII) executes the strategic Research and Innovation policy guidelines in Uruguay. It promotes, articulates and strengthens the capabilities of the National Innovation System to achieve a sustainable, productive and social development of the country. Thanks to its political stability, an adequate legal framework and a proper information technology infrastructure, the Uruguayan National Innovation System has the potential to become a role model for the Southern Cone. ANII holds the presidency of the newly formed Network of Latin American Innovation Agencies “RedLAI”. ISC3 and ANII will start joint activities in entrepreneurship and innovation, promote the circulation of talent and initiate a regional dialogue about the relevance of sustainable chemistry for the regional development.

Support for innovation, entrepreneurs and start-ups in India

The Green ChemisTree Foundation located in Mumbai, India is a non-profit organisation. Its vision is to bring forth technical know-how about green chemistry and engineering applications among the chemical community including industry, academia, research institutes, government bodies, and students. The Green ChemisTree Foundation collaborates with various local and international experts and agencies to create initiatives which can accelerate the implementation of Green Chemistry to achieve Environmental Sustainability. The Industrial Green Chemistry World (IGCW) is the Green ChemisTree Foundation’s flagship convention which brings all stakeholders of the Chemical Industry in India together to deliberate on innovative solutions, best practices and tools in the domain on Green & Sustainable Chemistry. The ISC3 and the Green ChemisTree Foundation will collaborate supporting innovation, entrepreneurs and start-ups in India.

Training innovators in Egypt

Youthinkgreen – Egypt is a social enterprise educating and empowering youth to apply sustainable ecological solutions to global challenges and problems through designing world-class hands-on and empowerment programs for youth. The organization annually arranges a Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Youth Program in Egypt. It targets diverse groups of youth covering several themes of environmental sustainability and sustainable development. The main goal of the program is to educate and empower young emergent environmental entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions to Egypt’s most pressing sustainability challenges and developing start-up models for such solutions. ISC3 and Youthinkgreen will train and support innovators and entrepreneurs in the fields of sustainable chemistry and circular economy.

About the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3)

The ISC3 is a globally acting, non-profit organization. It was founded as a multi-stakeholder platform and think tank in 2017 by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) and the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) to promote and develop sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. The ISC3 is hosted by the German Corporation for International Collaboration (GIZ). It manages a knowledge platform and a network of experts, offers training and support especially for developing countries and carries out innovation scouting activities to discover new technologies and business models. The centre has established an ISC3 Innovation Hub at DECHEMA which initiates innovations in the field of sustainable chemistry and supports entrepreneurs through its Global Start-up Service. ISC3 is also active in the field of science and has established a Research and Education Hub at the Leuphana University. www.isc3.org

Do you have the knowledge of the innovation ecosystem and own a network in your region? Do you see the enabling role of Sustainable Chemistry to achieve the goals of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development? Enter our Spiderweb Network and join us in supporting innovators for a global breakthrough of Sustainable Chemistry! Contact our team with the following email: innovation@isc3.org.

ISC3 Innovation Challenge opens for entrepreneurs to advance Sustainable Building and Living

Over 20 percent of the plastic in Europe is used in the construction sector

With the increasing urbanization rate, the global construction industry – and with it the construction chemicals market – are expanding rapidly. However, many of the chemicals and materials used in the construction sector have severe shortcomings in terms of sustainability. Some of the used ingredients are toxic or contain high amounts of volatile organic compounds, posing environmental and health risks. In terms of construction materials, little attention is paid to the reuse or recycling of these materials from building demolition waste. This is particularly true for plastic materials, despite the fact that nearly 21% of the 47 million tonnes of plastic used in Europe goes into the construction sector. With Sustainable Cities and Communities being one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the building and construction sector plays a particularly important role in the pathway towards sustainable development.

Open for ideators and entrepreneurs

The ISC3 Innovation Challenge is open for all ideators and entrepreneurs employed by organisations including research institutes, start-ups, small-medium sized enterprises or comparable institutions active in the development and realisation of sustainable chemistry innovations. Provided solutions can address a wide range of building and living-related issues such as the substitution of hazardous compounds in construction materials and formulations, new chemistry-based design approaches for construction materials and construction elements that facilitate dismantling, separation, sorting and recyclability at the end of life, increased use of renewable raw materials for construction and low cost sustainable chemistry-based solutions for construction, buildings and living in developing countries. The ideas can be submitted on the ISC3-Website, deadline for applications is September 30, 2019.

25,000 Euro cash prize and start-up support

The winner of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge will be announced at the Global Sustainable Chemistry Week in May 2020, where five finalists will pitch their innovations. All finalists will receive Customised Support within the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, which includes mentoring and coaching, promotion of the innovation via ISC3 communication channels, support in accessing incubator and accelerator programmes, and much more. The winner of the Challenge will additionally receive a cash prize of 25,000€.

The Innovation Challenge is a flagship initiative under the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, the world’s first programme supporting innovators in the sustainable chemistry-related fields globally. The Global Start-up Service targets entrepreneurs along the entire innovation chain and offers them a wide range of services tailored to their needs.

For more information about the ISC3 Innovation Challenge and how to apply, visit the Innovation Challenge

Mario Heredia Salgado wins the first ISC3 "Entrepreneurial Spirit in Sustainable Chemistry Award" with his start-up "Andes"

The new ISC3 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Sustainable Chemistry award highlights scientists with entrepreneurial spirit in the field of sustainable chemistry. The jury of international experts selected innovative ideas terms of market potential, business models, technological innovation and impact. With the award, ISC3 intends to inspire the scientific community to bring sustainable solutions to the markets. The award is an integral part of the Challenge partnership between ISC3, the Elsevier Foundation and Elsevier’s chemistry journals with two additional 50,000 EUR 1st and 25,000 EUR 2nd Prize awards to be announced on May 8th for sustainable chemistry solutions to energy, medicine, water, waste reduction, and agriculture challenges in the developing world.

Biochar from agrobusiness waste to improve soil quality

Mario Heredia Salgado from Ecuador is the first winner of the ISC3 Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit in Sustainable Chemistry. He created his start-up "Andes" based on his academic thesis where he developed a process to produce biochar from agribusiness biomass wastes for soil improvement. The energy required for the char production is taken from the very same process. The product itself then can be used to restore degraded land and increase crop yield. The innovation convinced the jury because the concept embraces multiple sustainable technical approaches from the fields of waste management, renewable energy production and harnessing biogenies sources. In addition, Salgado’s innovation has shown technical feasibility and he has already built a network of partners. Supported by the European Committee for Training and Agriculture, the prize winner is currently a Ph.D. student at Aveiro University in Portugal.

Friedrich Barth, Managing Director of ISC3 announced that, "ISC3 is proud to hand over the first Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit in Sustainable Chemistry to a project that has internalized the idea of sustainable chemistry on various levels. With his start-up, Mario Alejandro Heredia Salgado can make an important contribution to improve tropical soils, one of the most vulnerable resources of this climate region.”

Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Co-Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub: "We are looking forward to onboard the winner into our Global Start-up Service and support Mario Salgado and his next steps with his young company". The ISC3 Global Start-up Service (GSS) is the world’s first programme providing holistic support to sustainable chemistry changemakers globally.

The jury

The prize winner was selected out of 44 candidates by a jury of three international experts: Prof. Henning Friege, Professor at the Leuphana University, Prof. Joel Tickner, Professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Director of the ISC3 Regional Hub in the US, and Dr. Claudio Cinquemani, Director of Science and Innovation at ISC3 in Bonn.

Besides the idea of Mario Salgado, the jury members were also impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of the second nominee, Mohammed Aourach from Morocco, who developed a substance to replace conventional pesticides with natural extracts.

4th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference 2019

The award was handed over at the 4th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference from 5 - 8 May 2019 in Dresden, an annual high-level scientific conference that discusses and puts forward green and sustainable chemistry in a unique interdisciplinary manner. The conference is organized by Elsevier in cooperation with the Leuphana University in Luneburg and the ISC3. It brings together international participants from academia as well as from the private and public sector, to share the latest developments in the fields of green and sustainable chemistry.

Elsevier Foundation - ISC3 Awards for Green and Sustainable Chemistry

ISC3 joins the Elsevier Foundation Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge

ISC3, The Elsevier Foundation and Elsevier Chemistry Journals will join forces on the Elsevier Foundation ISC3 Green & Sustainable Challenge (GSCC) to promote capacity and community building in the field of green and sustainable chemistry in developing and emerging countries. The new collaboration builds on an existing Challenge partnership between the Elsevier Foundation and Elsevier’s chemistry journals with first and second prizes for €50,000 and €25,000 for sustainable chemistry projects addressing challenges in the developing world focusing on energy, water, waste reduction, agriculture, and medicine. ISC3 will contribute an additional €25,000 3rd prize for entrepreneurial spirit bringing a broad industry and policymaking network to the Challenge.

Friedrich Barth, Managing Director of ISC3, "The ISC3 is proud to partner with the Elsevier Foundation on the “Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge”. With the new Award for “Entrepreneurial spirit in Sustainable Chemistry” we seek to inspire the scientific community to bring sustainable solutions to the markets and help to tackle to major challenges of our times."

"For the Elsevier Foundation, partnering with ISC3 means building a stronger capacity building community around our winners, providing far greater access to experts, knowledge, innovation and grants in a burgeoning field,” added Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation.

The new Prize for “Entreprneurial spirit in Sustainable Chemistry” will be awarded during the annual Challenge competition at the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference which hosts a multisectoral forum to enable long term viable and globally applicable contributions of green and sustainable chemistry to the UN Sustainable Development Goals between May 5-8th in Dresden, Germany. During the Challenge, the 2019 Top 5 Challenge finalists and the 3rd innovation prize winner will pitch their awards to a panel of distinguished judges. Prof. Klaus Kümmerer from Leuphana University Lüneburg, the Scientific Chair of the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference and the Director of Research and Education of ISC3 who chairs the judging panel, welcomes the new collaboration, "This mutual support and cooperation is an important next step to move sustainable chemistry further forward", he says.

Senior Chemistry Publisher at Elsevier, Rob van Daalen who founded the Challenge in 2015, noted, “The partnership with the ISC3 will greatly complement our existing network, going beyond our strong academic focus to include other key stakeholders—industry and policymakers-- in the green and sustainable chemistry ecosystem. This is very beneficial for our Challenge award winners and the reach of this critical field which needs multisectoral support to grow.”

Notes to editors

The official pitching event for the Top 5 Finalists will take place at the annual Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference on Monday, May 6 in Dresden, Germany at 11:00 CET (Central European Time). The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 8 at 16:00 CET.

Reference sheets for each award winner with a more extensive biography and description of their work are available upon request.
Reporters wishing to attend the pitching event or award ceremony may contact Domiziana Francescon at +31 61 021 5901 or d.francescon©elsevier.com.>Read more about the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge:

• 2019 Top 5 Finalists
• 2019 Judging Panel

About the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3)

The ISC3 is a globally acting, non-profit organization, multi-stakeholder platform and think tank founded in 2017 on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the German Federal Environment Agency to promote and develop sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It manages a knowledge platform and a network of experts, offers training and support for implementation especially for developing countries, carries out innovation scouting activities to discover new technologies, processes and business models. The ISC3 Innovation Hub in cooperation with DECHEMA initiates innovations in the field of sustainable chemistry and supports entrepreneurs through its Global Start-up Service. ISC3 is also active in the field of science and operates as a Research and Education Hub in cooperation with the Leuphana University.

About the Elsevier Foundation

The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scival, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, more than 35,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray’s Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group , a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries.

ISC3 and SusChem sign Memorandum of Understanding towards advancing Sustainable Chemistry

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the role of each organisation and proposes long-term collaboration in the following areas: research agenda development, fostering breakthrough innovation, education & skills development and stakeholder dialogues on Sustainable Chemistry. Through this agreement, both parties aim to maximise the impact of relevant activities, build on synergies and complementarities, and create added value for their members.

Friedrich Barth, Managing Director of ISC3, said: “We join forces with SusChem to promote sustainable innovation in the chemical sector, leveraging a multi-stakeholder approach that involves Academia, SMEs, start-ups, the large Industry and society. Working with SusChem means having on board such a European forum, building on existing knowledge and advancing Sustainable Chemistry, not only at a European level but at a global scale, which is our main mission.”

Markus Steilemann, Chairman of the SusChem board, said: “We are clearly committed to join our forces with great partners and create a more sustainable chemistry on all levels. It’s now the time to innovate and effectively face our common European and global challenges for the common goal of sustainability. Therefore, we’re currently developing a SusChem Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SIRA) until end of this year. Under the leadership of our partner ISC3, we will also launch a constant exchange on the ‘Global understanding of Sustainable Chemistry’. Our vivid network of “National Technology Platforms” helps us here.”

A key 2019 priority of this agreement is the bilateral input on Research Agendas.

The new SusChem Strategic Research and Innovation agenda (SIRA), is currently being revised and will be structured in line with the next EU research and innovation framework programme: Horizon Europe (HEU). The SusChem SIRA will also address the impact of Sustainable Chemistry on global challenges, as part of HEU, and therefore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ISC3 will provide input on all relevant technology priorities, and the potential impact of such innovation in Sustainable Chemistry with regards to global challenges. ISC3 will also provide key input on priorities under education and skills, a horizontal topic that will be covered in the new SusChem SIRA.

SusChem will provide input to the ISC3-led ‘Global understanding in Sustainable Chemistry’ consultation with a strong focus on Europe. SusChem will also involve the SusChem NTP network (17 countries) to provide a national perspective.

SusChem ETP, founded in 2004, is a European Technology Platform, with the main objective of contributing to revitalizing research & innovation in Sustainable Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology in Europe. As a multi-stakeholders networking forum and a technology solutions provider, SusChem works towards advising on technology priorities, at a European level, with a long-term strategic research and innovation agenda (SIRA). Connection to National priorities is achieved via its network of National Technology platforms. SusChem engages, consults and brings together representatives from larger Industry, SMEs, Universities and research technology organisations – being open to the wider society. SusChem technology focus areas include: Advanced Materials, Advanced Processes, Catalysis, enabling Digital technologies as well as Horizontal topics.

ISC3 is a new independent, international institution promoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting institution, a multi-stakeholder platform and think tank that engages with the private sector, civil society and politics to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation and education on Sustainable Chemistry. Activities to achieve such objectives are: dialogues amongst stakeholders, building on a global start-up service and funding, developing a Sustainable Chemistry curriculum, and also working towards a research agenda outlining a common understanding on Sustainable Chemistry, sustainability assessment and cross-sectorial topics. Founded in 2017 on the initiative of the the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA), the ISC3 has a structure supported by a Research & Education Hub (Leuphana University, Lüneburg) and an Innovation Hub (DECHEMA, Frankfurt) with the aim to also establish regional hubs outside of Europe.

Both platforms share the intent of contributing to a more sustainable world and a circular economy, and to the transformation of the chemical sector towards sustainable chemistry, responding to global challenges.

ISC3 hosts New Plastics Economy Investor Forum in partnership with Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation and Think Beyond Plastic

During the course of the event, attendees took part in networking activities and listened to inspiring start-up pitches and discussion panels centred on advancing new business models, designs and technologies that keep plastics in the economy and prevent them from becoming waste. A highlight of the event were innovation showcases, during which 32 start-ups introduced their ideas in the areas of new product delivery models, sustainable chemistry and new materials for circular economy in front of top-tier investors.

The Investor Forum has been organized by the circular economy platform Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the innovation accelerator Think Beyond Plastic and the ISC3 at DECHEMA in Frankfurt, Germany. The event was the first of its kind organised by the ISC3 Innovation Hub in the frames of its ISC3 Global Start-up Service. The newly launched Service targets innovators along the entire innovation chain and accompanies them on the journey from discovering an innovation to creating marketable value and expanding their business. The service will provide both general and customised support to innovators and promote sustainable chemistry entrepreneurs through events such as the Investor Forum.

Press release

Press Invitation

To celebrate the successful first year of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) as well as to present our upcoming activities, the ISC3 will host an anniversary event on 17 September 2018 in Bonn. The event will introduce you to the emerging concept of sustainable chemistry as a game-changing contribution to sustainable development and invites you to join the work of the ISC3.

The ISC3 is a new independent, international institution promoting sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. In September 2017, the ISC3 opened its offices in Bonn hosted by GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.

As a new transformative approach, sustainable chemistry focusses on the use of environmentally and socially friendly alternatives and supports economic innovation. Delivered at scale, it implies new business opportunities, new jobs, and a key contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are proud to welcome high-level speakers and international experts for our 1st Year Anniversary Event at our headquarters in Bonn.

High-Level Speakers

• Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
• Tanja Gönner, Chair of the Management Board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
• Dr. Jutta Klasen, Head of Chemical Safety Division, German Environment Agency (UBA)
• Achim Halpaap, Principal Officer and Senior Advisor, Chemicals and Health Branch, Economy Division, UNEP

Key Note Speaker

• John Warner, President Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry

Panel Discussion with

• Anne-Sofie Andersson, Executive Director, International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec), Member of the IPEN Executive Committee
• Pierre Barthélemy, Executive Director, Innovation Programme, cefic – European Chemical Industry Council
• Dr. Thomas Jakl, Head of the Chemical Policy and Biocides Department at the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism, Austria
• John Warner, President and CTO of the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry

The ISC3 is committed to shape this transformation in cooperation with all stakeholders. We would therefore be delighted to inform you about our work and introduce you to the next steps we want to take on the road to sustainable chemistry – together with our partners and stakeholders from all over the world.

Invitation & Programme
Press registration: media©isc3.org

Press release 11 June 2018: Sustainable Chemistry: Reinventing a 150-year-old industry for the greater good

Press release 11 June 2018: A successful start into a new era of Sustainable Chemistry – the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3)