Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked bioeconomy solutions tackling climate change.
Out of 1 403, the Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Bioeconomy Solutions tackling Climate Change
The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2 093 000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the distribution of the 1 403 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights 5 startups that we hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these 5 startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 1 398 bioeconomy solutions impacting climate change, get in touch.
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Attis Innovations creates a Lignin Recovery Process
As concerns over climate change due to accelerated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions grow, all sectors now work to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel-based resources and resource wastage. Biological resources, on the other hand, are the most under-utilized means to generate high-value products such as renewable fuels and sustainable materials. Such solutions also divert biomass waste from reaching landfills and reduce fossil fuel dependency. This reduces methane and carbon dioxide emissions at scale. This is why startups develop biomass material extraction methods that function as raw materials for high-value applications.
Attis Innovations is a US-based startup that provides a lignin recovery process to make adhesives, construction materials, green chemicals, and renewable fuels. The startup extracts and purifies lignin from bark, sawdust, pecan shells, and recycled materials to a meltable thermoplastic form. The process also supports in-situ functional additives to tailor its characteristics for a wide range of applications. Attis Innovations’ technology can be downsized as low as 200 tons biomass units per day and, hence, is ideal for small-scale biomass generators. In effect, its solution regulates biomass waste flow at the source and upcycles it to generate revenue.
Arborea offers Algae-based Superfood
The agriculture sector is a primary contributor to climate change caused by resource-intensive operations and enteric fermentation from livestock. This leads to massive amounts of carbon emissions, thereby accelerating global warming which, in turn, affects farming. Due to this, startups promote sustainable agricultural solutions that rely on natural resources to reduce their overall carbon footprint while improving production per unit area. For instance, perishable foods grown in high-yield greenhouse farms require significantly lower land usage than conventional crop farming.
Arborea is a Portuguese startup that grows algae-based superfoods for human consumption. The startup’s BioSolar Leaf is a cultivation system that mimics real leaf to self-maintain ideal growth conditions for micro plants such as blue-green algae and phytoplanktons. The modular BioSolar Leaf uses natural sunlight with minimal energy and water usage to produce healthy, vegan, and carbon-neutral food ingredients, all while sequestering carbon dioxide. This allows food growers to minimize their resource costs and carbon footprint as well as enhance consumers’ health.
H3-CHP advances Waste-to-Energy
Renewable energy producers need to invest in energy storage systems along with generation and transmission infrastructure due to their intermittent nature. This increases project costs, which is why many stakeholders hesitate to switch to low-carbon alternatives. However, the abundance of biomass waste makes it a viable candidate for energy production and transitioning to a carbon-free economy. Therefore, startups devise novel waste-to-energy solutions that convert biomass into clean energy. This also decentralizes power generation for industries where biomass is a byproduct, especially agriculture and process industries, thereby advancing circular bioeconomy.
Canadian startup H3-CHP facilitates waste-to-energy conversion using its modular clean energy system for syngas generation. The startup combines biomass fuel feed system, fixed bed, linear downdraft gasifier, engine, alternator, thermal energy recovery, and re-circulation components in containers that are installable in various configurations. Its proprietary biomass gasification technology heats briquetted material to temperatures up to 1 200 degrees Celsius. This ensures near-complete thermochemical decomposition and transformation into syngas. Thereby, the startup allows agriculture farms, waste facilities, and water treatment plants to generate syngas from their side stream and bypass grid dependency.
nature2need produces Sustainable Biopolymer Compounds
While organic waste directly contributes to climate change, inorganic waste adds to greenhouse gas emissions during its manufacturing phase. Moreover, it accumulates in landfills once it reaches end-of-life periods – even if recyclable. To this end, companies offer reverse logistics that divert such products for reuse or remanufacturing. However, it is a complex process that demands cooperation from all involved parties. This is why startups replace fossil fuel-based materials in the manufacturing sector with biomaterials. These materials are biodegradable and offer the same physical characteristics as original materials, improving sustainability and reducing processing costs.
German startup nature2need offers sustainable biopolymer compounds. The startup’s materials have a low carbon footprint and come ready to use for applications in various sectors. Besides, it works to shift a linear process into a circular economy by sourcing natural fibers, minerals, fillers, and recycled organic waste streams to develop its products. The company’s product lineup includes Bioblend, Organoblend, and BIONEC ReShelled grade materials with distinct features. nature2need reduces the environmental impacts caused by manufacturing operations as well as aids transition to a bioeconomy.
Thinkbio develops Bioinoculants
Traditional agricultural practices rely on the intensive application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers which, in turn, affect soil health and pollutes surrounding water bodies. This causes a drop in crop yields as well as the carbon-sequestering ability of soil. To combat this, startups offer bio-based solutions that replace conventional resource-intensive chemicals without affecting the environment and crop production. Besides, switching to regenerative and organic agriculture also improves the market value of the crops, boosting sales.
Thinkbio is an Australian startup that provides bioinoculants. The startup’s Kreo range of products combines naturally occurring fungi and bacteria that take the role of conventional chemicals and fertilizers. This allows farmers to switch to sustainable and natural alternatives to fight diseases, increase crop productivity, and improve soil health while decreasing carbon footprint.
Discover more Startups impacting Climate Change
Startups such as the examples highlighted in this report focus on biofuels, sustainable and regenerative agriculture as well as bio-based materials. While all of these technologies play a major role in advancing sustainability, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. To explore more sustainable technologies, simply get in touch to let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, you can download one of our free Industry Innovation Reports to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
