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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The finalists of the €25,000 6th ISC3 Innovation Challenge – dedicated to innovations in Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Change – have been selected! After a rigorous evaluation process, an international jury of 36 experts from diverse and relevant fields identified the ten most promising start-ups from around the globe. A total of almost 100 start-ups from over 30 countries applied.
The selected solutions range from cutting-edge chemical recycling and more sustainable polymers to renewable fuels, clean energy technologies, and low-carbon construction materials – each contributing to reducing emissions and advancing sustainability across industries and regions. “This broad spectrum of innovations demostrates the great commitment of start-ups around the world, who are making a major contribution to solving some of the most pressing challenges of our time," emphasises Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
Theseus Development (Ghana) – Theseus Development produces geopolymer‑based concrete, delivering low‑carbon and high‑performance building materials for affordable and resilient housing.
VerdiSol (United Arab Emirates) – VerdiSol transforms agri-food waste into nanofibers to boost soil health, water retention, and sustainable farming in arid regions.
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.
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.
About ISC3
The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre promotes Sustainable Chemistry for a sustainable world. ISC3 supports the chemical industry and chemical-related sectors in their transformation process through sustainable, innovative approaches from Sustainable Chemistry. The goal is a circular economy that integerates multiple aspects of sustainability throughout the entire product life cycle and encourages a shift in stakeholder behaviour. To advance the dialogue between different sectors and actors worldwide, including Europe and other regions as well as emerging and developing countries, ISC3 follows a multi-stakeholder approach with the networking of policymakers, public and private sectors, education, science and society. It contributes to international chemicals policy, develops professional and academic training programs, advises companies, and promotes start-ups and research. Founded in 2017 by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation und Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the centre is implemented by the German Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ; Englisch: Society for International Cooperation) and supported by the Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA e.V.) as ISC3 Innovation Hub.
Media Contact:
Christian Ruth-Strauß (christian.ruth-strauss(at)isc3.org), Director Communications ISC3
René Sutthoff (sutthoff(at)konsequent-pr.de), Konsequent PR
https://isc3.org - Investor Forum & Innovation Challenge
https://impact-festival.earth/en - Impact Festival
ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 - the finalists are selected!
Copyright: © arrowsmith2/Joetography/Roschetzkyl - ISC3
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ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 - the finalists are selected!
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