European Innovation Council

Modvion AB, founded in 2015 and based in Gothenburg, Sweden, specializes in the design and development of modular wind power towers constructed from renewable composite materials. The company's innovative modular technology simplifies construction logistics by facilitating transportation and installation of towers over 120 meters tall. This approach not only reduces costs associated with traditional steel tower construction but also enhances efficiency in harnessing wind energy. By leveraging engineered wood products, Modvion aims to improve the economic viability of wind power investments for power plant construction businesses, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy landscape.

Releaf Paper is a producer of sustainable paper products from fallen leaves. They work on the task of finding a solution to achieve sustainability in the production of paper using new raw materials - fallen leaves, instead of wood.

Tozero, founded in July 2022 in Munich, Germany, by Sarah Fleischer and Dr. Ksenija Milicevic Neumann, focuses on developing technology for recycling lithium-ion batteries. The company aims to create a scalable machine that recovers essential materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese in an environmentally sustainable manner. By facilitating the recovery of these critical materials, Tozero enables industries to reintegrate fresh raw materials back into the supply chain, thereby supporting broader decarbonization efforts.

Resortecs – REcycling, SORting, TEChnologieS – is an award-winning start-up that develops Design for Disassembly solutions. We drive full circularity in the fashion industry with heat-dissolvable stitching threads and thermal disassembly systems that make industrial-scale textile recycling easy. Through targeted innovations in the way clothes are assembled and disassembled, our solutions empower fashion and workwear brands to rise to today’s environmental challenges at the pace and scale Earth needs. All without compromising the creativity, design, and quality of clothing. Resortecs' globally patented thermal disassembly solution is 5X faster than traditional disassembly methods and makes it possible to recycle up to 90% of the original fabric material: • Smart Stitich™, our heat-dissolvable stitching thread with different melting points (150 °C, 170 °C and 190 °C), enables brands to transform their products into recyclable, circular pieces from the manufacturing stage. • Smart Disassembly™, our thermal disassembly system, enables recyclers to unlock higher volumes of premium-quality material, processing up to 4M garments/year with low emissions and no material damage, so that fabrics can be used over and over again. Welcome to sustainability's next level: circularity.

Nuventura GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in the design and development of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology. The company focuses on creating innovative switchgear solutions that replace sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) with dry air, significantly reducing the use of greenhouse gases in the energy supply sector. Nuventura's technology maintains the benefits of traditional SF6 switchgear while adhering to existing IEC standards, allowing industries to effectively control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. This approach facilitates improved monitoring of switchgear health and addresses environmental concerns associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

Gr3n invented a new process which allows for the first time to recycle PET bottles/food containers chemically in a profitable way. Gr3n developed an innovative process, based on a new application of microwave technology to a well known chemical reaction which provides for the first time with an economically efficient chemical recycling process of PET (Polyethylene Terephtalate) and allows an industrial implementation of this recycling method. This new process can potentially change how PET is recycled worldwide with a huge financial benefit for the recycling industry.

Nuventura GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in the design and development of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology. The company focuses on creating innovative switchgear solutions that replace sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) with dry air, significantly reducing the use of greenhouse gases in the energy supply sector. Nuventura's technology maintains the benefits of traditional SF6 switchgear while adhering to existing IEC standards, allowing industries to effectively control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. This approach facilitates improved monitoring of switchgear health and addresses environmental concerns associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

Bloom Biorenewables Ltd is a company focused on developing innovative technology to convert wood and agricultural waste into renewable materials that can replace petroleum-based products. Incorporated in 2019 and based in Marly, Switzerland, the company aims to provide sustainable alternatives for various industries, including chemicals, fragrances, plastics, and textiles. By employing a biomass deconstruction technology platform, Bloom Biorenewables offers a cost-effective method to extract bio-based molecules from plant materials. This approach not only helps customers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to efforts in mitigating climate change by lowering carbon footprints and supporting the transition to a circular economy.

Insolight is an energy company that develops and manufactures solar panels. Insolight has developed solar modules with record efficiency 29 percent to reduce residential solar electricity costs below 0.1 $/kWh. Its innovative optical technology combines high efficiency with the ease of mounting of a standard flat panel. Insolight has successfully passed third-party validation at Fraunhofer ISE (36% efficiency on Lab prototype) and at the UPM in Madrid (29% on pre-industrial module). Its business model is to develop the IP, control wholesale distribution and outsource manufacturing. The company was founded in 2015.

Nova Innovation Ltd. is a tidal energy company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, with additional offices in Leith, Caernarfon, and Shetland. Founded in 2009, the company specializes in designing, building, operating, and managing tidal energy devices, including underwater turbines that generate clean electricity from tidal, estuarine, and river flows. Nova Innovation is committed to promoting environmental sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels by engaging with local supply chains, leveraging the expertise of coastal communities. The company gained recognition for deploying the world's first offshore tidal array and has received multiple awards for its contributions to low-carbon innovation. With a rapidly growing team of over 30 employees, Nova Innovation continues to advance its mission of harnessing tidal energy efficiently while ensuring minimal visual impact on marine environments.

Pydro GmbH develops modular water turbines for integrated smart pressure management and energy recovery in water pipe networks. The company offers modular turbine system for water pipes which convert energy surpluses into usable power. It offers PT1 Pydro Turbine for running monitoring equipment and PT2 Pydro Turbine for running pressure management devices, chlorination systems, remote terminals, and sump pumps. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.

Pydro GmbH develops modular water turbines for integrated smart pressure management and energy recovery in water pipe networks. The company offers modular turbine system for water pipes which convert energy surpluses into usable power. It offers PT1 Pydro Turbine for running monitoring equipment and PT2 Pydro Turbine for running pressure management devices, chlorination systems, remote terminals, and sump pumps. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.

Developer of virtual battery inverters designed to increase the deployment of energy storage for renewable energy by setting a new standard for battery storage. The company's engages in manufacturing central inverters that can be connected to the power grid to reduce the self-consumption of battery storage to a previously unachievable level, enabling clients to avoid life-threatening high battery voltage, utilize the full battery capacity, and maximize energy efficiency.

Developer of virtual battery inverters designed to increase the deployment of energy storage for renewable energy by setting a new standard for battery storage. The company's engages in manufacturing central inverters that can be connected to the power grid to reduce the self-consumption of battery storage to a previously unachievable level, enabling clients to avoid life-threatening high battery voltage, utilize the full battery capacity, and maximize energy efficiency.

bound4blue specializes in the development of innovative foldable and autonomous wingsail systems designed for integration into a variety of vessels. This technology serves as a complementary propulsion system, harnessing wind power to generate thrust and significantly reducing the reliance on main engine power. As a result, bound4blue's wingsails can lead to reductions in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by up to 40%. In addition to improving environmental sustainability, the system offers a payback period of less than five years, making it an economically viable option for boat operators. The technology also facilitates the production of hydrogen and oxygen through the electrolysis of seawater, further enhancing its eco-friendly credentials.

Plant-e is a pioneering company that specializes in harnessing the power of living plants to generate electricity. Founded in 2009 as a spin-off from Wageningen University, the company focuses on developing technology that enables power generation without harming the plants. Utilizing plant-microbial fuel cells, Plant-e captures electrons from the soil and converts them into electrical energy. This innovative approach allows for the creation of power sources from green roofs, wetlands, and rice paddies, effectively transforming them into sustainable energy providers. Marjolein Helder, who has been the CEO since her PhD graduation in 2012, leads the company, while David Strik continues to bridge the gap between scientific research and product development.

X1 Wind is a disruptive floating platform developing a floating wind platform for deep waters. The platform has redesigned floating wind platforms to reduce costs by 50percent and weight 80percent while expanding the operation depth range in comparison to other floating solutions. It has less active systems than current designs and can be fully assembled at the port and then installed using a small tug boat. X1 Wind helps to achieve a radical weight reduction in floating wind structures to current semi-submersible and spar systems. It was founded in 2017 and is based in Barcelona, Spain.

X1 Wind is a disruptive floating platform developing a floating wind platform for deep waters. The platform has redesigned floating wind platforms to reduce costs by 50percent and weight 80percent while expanding the operation depth range in comparison to other floating solutions. It has less active systems than current designs and can be fully assembled at the port and then installed using a small tug boat. X1 Wind helps to achieve a radical weight reduction in floating wind structures to current semi-submersible and spar systems. It was founded in 2017 and is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Electrochaea GmbH develops and commercializes a grid-scale power-to-gas energy storage technology. The company’s biocatalytic power-to-gas technology converts low-cost and stranded electricity into pipeline-grade renewable gas for direct injection into the existing natural gas grid, which is used for on-site power production, heating applications, or transmitted over long distances using existing pipelines. Its technology enables storing large amounts of renewable energy from wind and solar; and represents a solution for utility-scale energy storage, grid balancing, and carbon recycling. Electrochaea GmbH was founded in 2010 and is based in Planegg, Germany with additional operation facilities at Hvidovre, Denmark, and Sacramento, California.

Enerpoly is a next-generation energy storage technology company pioneering rechargeable zinc-ion battery chemistry. Enerpoly innovates in battery components, production methods, and designs, and employs agile research and development techniques to rapidly deliver batteries that are suitable for the grid, industrial, commercial, and residential uses.

Manufacturer of a self-climbing crane (craneless technology) to change the major components of wind turbines. The company designs and manufactures lifting equipment that enables the exchange of blades and generators in wind turbine generators, onshore and offshore, without the need for a high-tonnage crane and focuses on designing innovative and creative craneless solutions for the wind energy sector, specifically a self-climbing crane enabling clients to lift up a load of heavyweight and place it on inaccessible surfaces or areas.

C2C-NewCap seeks to provide next-generation devices for storing electrical energy and aims to deliver high efficiency energy solutions. Charge2CNewCap was founded in 2014 by Rui Silva and Andre Mao de Ferro and is based in Lisbon.

Xsun designs and develops drones powered by solar energy. The company's product includes SolarXOne which is a drone model that can make its own decisions. It provides aerodynamic design which provides photovoltaic cell surface to capture the maximum amount of solar power; communication design which provides a link between the drone and the control centre; and power design. Xsun was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Guérande, France.

Xsun designs and develops drones powered by solar energy. The company's product includes SolarXOne which is a drone model that can make its own decisions. It provides aerodynamic design which provides photovoltaic cell surface to capture the maximum amount of solar power; communication design which provides a link between the drone and the control centre; and power design. Xsun was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Guérande, France.

Enerpoly is a next-generation energy storage technology company pioneering rechargeable zinc-ion battery chemistry. Enerpoly innovates in battery components, production methods, and designs, and employs agile research and development techniques to rapidly deliver batteries that are suitable for the grid, industrial, commercial, and residential uses.