Neste is a company that produces renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel through its proprietary NEXBTL™ (Next Generation Biomass to Liquid) technology. This innovative platform allows the company to convert a wide variety of renewable fats and oils into premium-quality products, such as renewable fuels and feedstocks for polymers and chemicals.
Avantium is at the forefront of developing technologies to transition away from fossil fuels by transforming renewable resources into valuable chemicals and circular plastics for consumer products. The company provides innovative solutions for polymers, chemicals, and CO2 conversion, contributing to a more sustainable materials economy.
Key technologies developed by Avantium:
Samsara Eco is working on innovative solutions for recycling plastics and textiles through advanced enzyme technology. Unlike traditional recycling, which often downgrades materials and limits plastic recyclability, Samsara Eco’s enzymes break down complex plastics (polymers) into their original chemical building blocks (monomers). The company creates virgin-grade plastics without reliance on fossil fuels by converting polymers into simple monomers.
Polymateria is a startup specializing in biodegradable and compostable plastics, focusing on addressing fugitive plastics, which are plastics that escape waste collection systems and pollute natural environments. According to the company, approximately 2.1 billion tonnes of plastic waste are projected to become fugitive plastics by 2050, aggravating ocean and ecosystem pollution.
Novoloop is a startup working on solutions to break down and upcycle plastics. Through its Lifecycling™ platform, Novoloop transforms hard-to-recycle plastics, such as plastic bags and packaging, into high-performance materials with a reduced carbon footprint. This novel technology chemically converts post-consumer polyethylene into essential building blocks, which are then used to produce thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), reducing carbon emissions by up to 41% compared to conventional methods.
BioPak is an Australian company dedicated to manufacturing compostable packaging solutions, including plant-based coffee cups, takeout containers, and cutlery. The company use renewable resources such as sugarcane and corn starch to produce materials that decompose effectively in various environments, aiming to mitigate single-use plastic pollution.
Epoch Biodesign has created a platform that integrates advanced biological processes to transform complex, blended plastics into sustainable materials. Unlike conventional recycling methods, the company’s proprietary process operates at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure, without toxic catalysts or solvents—what they term "biorecycling."
Ecovative is a startup developing mycelium-based materials as sustainable alternatives for the food, fashion, and packaging industries. The company operates three mycelium farms and annually converts over 10 million pounds of wood chips into high-value mycelium products. By using environmental signals, Ecovative guides mycelium to grow into complex structures through specific phenotypic triggers. The company also develops new strains with tailored properties for various applications.
