This year, the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) called for innovative solutions in Sustainable Chemistry that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. These include, for example, the substitution of fossil-based feedstocks with non-food biomass or organic waste materials, technologies to reduce methane emissions in agriculture, soil carbon sequestration methods, water retention solutions, and heat-resilient construction materials.
The jury, composed of international and diverse external experts in Sustainable Chemistry, as well as representatives from the scientific, economic, legal, academic, and industrial sectors and ISC3’s partner organisations, enabled a professional, multi-perspective, and critical evaluation process.“We sincerely thank our esteemed jury members for their dedication, expertise, and thoughtful assessment throughout the Innovation Challenge. Their diverse perspectives and deep knowledge in Sustainable Chemistry and related fields were invaluable in identifying the most promising solutions that can truly drive positive change,”
says Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, expressing his appreciation for the jury’s contribution.Following extensive preparation and a two-round selection process that began in March 2025 —evaluating almost 100 start-up innovations — the following start-ups have reached the final round of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 (listed in alphabetical order):
AC Biode (Japan/Luxembourg)
AC Biode’s Plastalyst enables low-temperature, solvent-free chemical recycling of hard-to-recycle plastics into useful outputs like monomers, hydrogen, and methanol.
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CLIMASEL (Azerbaijan)
CLIMASEL develops bio-based phase-change material panels that absorb heat during the day and release it at night, helping regulate indoor temperatures and reduce cooling energy use.
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ClimEtSan-OnTheGround GmbH (Germany)
ClimEtSan-OnTheGround implements circular climate projects that integrate clean cooking, eco-sanitation, and biochar fertilizer production, while enabling carbon offsetting (emission compensation through external projects) or insetting (emission reduction within a company’s own supply chain) for global companies.
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ETB Global B.V. (Netherlands)
ETB developed a process to produce bio-butadiene, a key building block for plastics, rubber and other chemicals compositions, with high conversion and selectivity from bio-ethanol.
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Palki Motors Limited (Bangladesh)
Palki Motors designs and manufactures long-range electric cars featuring innovative fast battery swap technology to offer affordable, sustainable urban mobility in Bangladesh.
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Power2Polymers (Germany)
Power2Polymers develops cost-effective, more sustainable high-performance polymers by integrating a novel building block (POM), cutting carbon footprints by up to 40%.
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Spark e-Fuels GmbH (Germany)
Spark e-Fuels produces renewable, carbon-neutral synthetic fuels using renewable electricity and CO₂ to accelerate the defossilation of aviation.
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Theseus Development (Ghana)
Theseus Development produces geopolymer‑based concrete, delivering low‑carbon and high‑performance building materials for affordable and resilient housing.
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VerdiSol (United Arab Emirates)
VerdiSol transforms agri-food waste into nanofibers to boost soil health, water retention, and sustainable farming in arid regions.
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Virgin Green Renewable Energy Limited (Zambia)
Virgin Green converts biomass waste into charcoal briquettes, improved cook‑stoves, and wood vinegar, empowering local women entrepreneurs while reducing CO₂ emissions and deforestation.
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All finalists will receive tailored support through the ISC3 Global Start-up Service, including online pitch training and increased visibility through ISC3’s communication channels, such as the “Start-up of the Month” series showcasing best practices in Sustainable Chemistry.
After the pitch training, finalists will present their solutions at the 7th ISC3 Investor Forum, taking place on 26–27 November 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, as part of the Impact Festival. They will compete for the €15,000 main prize, while two additional solutions will be awarded €5,000 each for their outstanding impact. The event will conclude with the official Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony.
