Finalists Announced for the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 on “Sustainable Chemistry & Climate Change”
Ready, set, here are the Changemakers!
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 internationaljury 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.
ISC3
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.
Other news from the department business & finance
Most read news
More news from our other portals
Something is happening in the chemical industry ...
This is what true pioneering spirit looks like: Plenty of innovative start-ups are bringing fresh ideas, lifeblood and entrepreneurial spirit to change tomorrow's world for the better. Immerse yourself in the world of these young companies and take the opportunity to get in touch with the founders.
Last viewed contents
CustomCells secures its future with new investors - New investors secure development and production of state-of-the-art battery cells at the technology cluster in Itzehoe
HORIBA opens new Analytical Solution Plaza to support UK science and research
Check the sustainability of chemicals easily onlin - Freely available web application helps users of chemicals, including product manufacturers, to assess the sustainability of their products
Stretchable Electronics: Conductive Polymer Optimized for Wearable Biosensors - A deformable patch that measures the heart rate or detects biomarkers in the sweat and feels as soft and flexible as one's own skin
Producing Desired Epoxides from Pollutants - A new selective biocatalyst
Progress towards potassium-ion batteries - Alternative battery technologies are vital for the green transition
Analytica USA: Expert knowledge for research and practice - Special show Digital Transformation: a hands-on Smart Lab
Synthetic fuel from the offshore wind farm - The first offshore facility for synthetic fuel production was inaugurated as part of the H2Mare hydrogen flagship project of the Federal Government
Identifying chemicals of concern in plastics – and pathways towards safer polymers - New study on chemicals in plastics published in Nature
Bodo Möller Chemie consolidates market presence in Spain with Quitec takeover - Strategic course for growth in surface treatment
