Post by account_disabled on Mar 4, 2024 3:03:55 GMT -5
Curious about what trends in circular economy and startups will soon impact current business models? Explore this industry research from Star Us Insights portal that offers in-depth insights into 3,964 circular economy startups and scale-ups; and gain data-driven insights into technology-based solutions from the proposed Circular Economy Innovation Map.
The world's population is increasing at a rapid rate, far outstripping the resources available in the traditional "take-make-waste" approach of linear economics. That is why there is a shift towards a circular economy. Solutions that aim to reduce waste and the use of new raw materials that allow establishing a closed cycle economy . Therefore, circular economy solutions convert waste into resources and extend the life of products and materials. Startups and smart cities are turning to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain to promote the circular economy.
trends in circular economy in the world
The result of this research is data-driven Chile Mobile Number List innovation intelligence that improves strategic decision making by giving you an overview of companies and emerging circular economy technologies. These insights are derived from the work of the StartUs Insights Discovery platform for Big Data and artificial intelligence, which covers more than 2,093,000 startups and scaleups globally.
Likewise, from the innovation map, a general description of the 8 main trends and innovations of the circular economy that affect companies around the world is obtained. Additionally, the Circular Economy Innovation Map reveals 16 selected startups, all working on emerging technologies that advance their field.
The heat map shows the circular economy trends of global startups
The following heat map highlights the global distribution of the 3,964 startups and scaleups that were used for this research. It further reveals that Western Europe is home to the majority of these companies, while we also see strong activity in the US and Asia, particularly China and India. Below are 16 of these 3,964 promising startups and scale-ups, as well as the solutions they develop. These 16 companies were selected based on criteria such as year founded, location, funds raised, and others. Depending on your specific needs, your best options may look completely different.
Global circular economy trend map
8 main trends in circular economy
1. Conversion of waste into resources
The circular economy retains the value of products or resources by returning them to the product cycle after use. Therefore, one of the biggest trends in the circular economy is converting waste into energy through incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis.
Startups are working on waste recycling solutions that focus on waste from such polluting industries.
For example, the fashion industry is now recycling textile waste to produce new clothing, shoes and accessories. This reduces the cost of raw materials and makes companies more sustainable.
WAIR produces sneakers from textile waste
Danish startup WAIR collects textile waste, jeans and work clothes, and turns them into vegan and sustainable sneakers. It manufactures ecological rubber soles composed of 70% recycled rubber and 30% virgin rubber. The startup uses plant-based materials and recycled cotton to make insoles and laces, respectively. When the shoes reach the end of their life cycle, the startup destroys them and reuses them as input for new products.
SEaB Energy waste-to-energy solutions
On the other hand, SEaB Energy is a British startup that offers solutions to generate energy on site from waste. The startup's containerized anaerobic digester, Muckbuster, converts slurry and agricultural waste into electricity and heat, generating fertilizers as a byproduct. The digester converts the slurry into biogas which then powers a combined heat and power (CHP) engine. Similarly, another digester, Flexibuster, converts organic waste such as food waste into energy using the same mechanism.
food waste
2. Reuse
Reusing products extends their life cycle while reducing waste and the use of new raw materials. Therefore, reuse is one of the main trends of the circular economy. As a result, various types of sharing platforms are increasing.
For example, asset exchange platforms allow companies to earn income by lending materials or machines that are mostly unused. Similarly, food sharing apps help reduce food waste while avoiding losses from unsold food.
Aside from the reuse of materials, reusable packaging is gaining ground in the manufacturing, automotive and consumer goods industries. Because they also help brands and companies significantly reduce packaging purchasing and disposal costs.
Excess Materials Exchange
It is a startup based in the Netherlands that offers a business-to-business (B2B) digital matchmaking platform for reusing waste materials or products. Assign a digital identity to materials or products with barcodes, QR codes and RFID chips. The digital identity provides an overview of the composition, origin, toxicity and release safety of such materials. The platform then identifies material reuse options based on their financial, environmental and social value. VYTAL produces reusable packaging as a service.
VYTAL produces reusable food packaging.
This German startup manufactures items such as bowls, trays, cups, and sushi and pizza containers from recyclable polypropylene. The startup also offers a free returns system through a mobile app. Allows consumers to see all restaurants that allow borrowing or returning. Partner store employees scan the user's QR code in the app to verify the digital identity of returnables. The startup then checks and cleans the returned items in a dishwasher for reuse.
reusable containers
3. Internet of waste
In traditional waste management systems, municipalities and waste management companies often end up spending a lot of money and effort on waste collection. Garbage trucks often visit containers that are not yet full or those that are full of garbage. Therefore, startups are developing IoT-based smart waste management solutions to reduce inefficiencies in garbage collection. These solutions leverage sensors, IoT platforms and mobile applications.
With the help of technology, work is being done on smart containers that transmit information about the filling level in real time to waste collectors. This streamlines the collection process and eliminates inefficient visits to nearly empty trash bins, saving time, fuel and labor.
Recytrust IoT based digital weight scale for recycling bins
Greek startup Recytrust develops an IoT-based digital weight scale. When placed under a recycling bin, it monitors the weight of the waste and generates alerts when the bin needs to be emptied.
Additionally, the accompanying mobile app provides driving routes and alerts while collecting real-time metrics on the weight of recyclables to be collected. Additionally, when confirming a collection, you enter a unique tracking code into a ledger that allows you to track the origin of your recyclables and provide proof of circularity reports and certifications.
Ishitva Robotics Systems: smart trash can
It is an Indian startup that offers an IoT-enabled smart container that automatically separates dry waste like paper, plastics, and cans. In addition to having a fill level sensor for garbage, it also offers route optimization for waste collection.
garbage collection
4. Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered sensors differentiate between items made of different materials, as well as nuances between those made of the same materials. It also detects chemical contamination in items. That is why AI in waste management is one of the emerging trends in the circular economy. AI enables waste management companies to reduce the need for labor, thereby reducing costs and maximizing efficiency.
Recycleye designs AI-powered waste management solutions
Recycleye is involved in waste sorting with the help of artificial intelligence vision system that identifies and classifies all items in waste streams, by material, object and even brand. WasteNet, the startup's visual database of labeled waste items, identifies waste at the brand level. Leveraging artificial intelligence to power Recycleye's robotic collector, it adapts to changing waste compositions without the need for retrofitting.
Lixo French startup that offers hardware and software tools for waste management companies.
The software solution consists of an artificial intelligence tool that displays an accurate view of waste streams, analyzes its composition and characterizes the waste in real time. A dashboard allows stakeholders to view key indicators such as purity, flow, and downtime.
5. Bio-based materials
Bio-based materials are generally compostable and also easier to recycle, helping businesses and consumers reduce their carbon footprint. They find applications in the packaging, construction, healthcare and automotive sectors. For the packaging industry, startups are developing sustainable packaging solutions such as compostable packaging and edible cutlery.
Teysha Technologies develops sustainable polymers
The platform uses hydrolytic decomposition to produce polymeric materials from renewable resources. The startup uses various comonomers, solvents and additives to modify the properties of the final polymer network. Creates a variety of end products ranging from hard and rigid to soft materials, which are applied directly to plant machinery.
MOGU produces eco-friendly interior design materials from Mycelium
The startup grows mycelium strains in pre-designed substrates from agro-industrial waste. By adjusting the array settings, you collect different materials to use for wall panels and tiles. The fungal mycelium acts as a reinforcement of the matrix structure, creating a coherent, plastic-free composite material. At the end of production, an inerting process slowly dries the mycelium materials to reduce energy consumption.
The world's population is increasing at a rapid rate, far outstripping the resources available in the traditional "take-make-waste" approach of linear economics. That is why there is a shift towards a circular economy. Solutions that aim to reduce waste and the use of new raw materials that allow establishing a closed cycle economy . Therefore, circular economy solutions convert waste into resources and extend the life of products and materials. Startups and smart cities are turning to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain to promote the circular economy.
trends in circular economy in the world
The result of this research is data-driven Chile Mobile Number List innovation intelligence that improves strategic decision making by giving you an overview of companies and emerging circular economy technologies. These insights are derived from the work of the StartUs Insights Discovery platform for Big Data and artificial intelligence, which covers more than 2,093,000 startups and scaleups globally.
Likewise, from the innovation map, a general description of the 8 main trends and innovations of the circular economy that affect companies around the world is obtained. Additionally, the Circular Economy Innovation Map reveals 16 selected startups, all working on emerging technologies that advance their field.
The heat map shows the circular economy trends of global startups
The following heat map highlights the global distribution of the 3,964 startups and scaleups that were used for this research. It further reveals that Western Europe is home to the majority of these companies, while we also see strong activity in the US and Asia, particularly China and India. Below are 16 of these 3,964 promising startups and scale-ups, as well as the solutions they develop. These 16 companies were selected based on criteria such as year founded, location, funds raised, and others. Depending on your specific needs, your best options may look completely different.
Global circular economy trend map
8 main trends in circular economy
1. Conversion of waste into resources
The circular economy retains the value of products or resources by returning them to the product cycle after use. Therefore, one of the biggest trends in the circular economy is converting waste into energy through incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis.
Startups are working on waste recycling solutions that focus on waste from such polluting industries.
For example, the fashion industry is now recycling textile waste to produce new clothing, shoes and accessories. This reduces the cost of raw materials and makes companies more sustainable.
WAIR produces sneakers from textile waste
Danish startup WAIR collects textile waste, jeans and work clothes, and turns them into vegan and sustainable sneakers. It manufactures ecological rubber soles composed of 70% recycled rubber and 30% virgin rubber. The startup uses plant-based materials and recycled cotton to make insoles and laces, respectively. When the shoes reach the end of their life cycle, the startup destroys them and reuses them as input for new products.
SEaB Energy waste-to-energy solutions
On the other hand, SEaB Energy is a British startup that offers solutions to generate energy on site from waste. The startup's containerized anaerobic digester, Muckbuster, converts slurry and agricultural waste into electricity and heat, generating fertilizers as a byproduct. The digester converts the slurry into biogas which then powers a combined heat and power (CHP) engine. Similarly, another digester, Flexibuster, converts organic waste such as food waste into energy using the same mechanism.
food waste
2. Reuse
Reusing products extends their life cycle while reducing waste and the use of new raw materials. Therefore, reuse is one of the main trends of the circular economy. As a result, various types of sharing platforms are increasing.
For example, asset exchange platforms allow companies to earn income by lending materials or machines that are mostly unused. Similarly, food sharing apps help reduce food waste while avoiding losses from unsold food.
Aside from the reuse of materials, reusable packaging is gaining ground in the manufacturing, automotive and consumer goods industries. Because they also help brands and companies significantly reduce packaging purchasing and disposal costs.
Excess Materials Exchange
It is a startup based in the Netherlands that offers a business-to-business (B2B) digital matchmaking platform for reusing waste materials or products. Assign a digital identity to materials or products with barcodes, QR codes and RFID chips. The digital identity provides an overview of the composition, origin, toxicity and release safety of such materials. The platform then identifies material reuse options based on their financial, environmental and social value. VYTAL produces reusable packaging as a service.
VYTAL produces reusable food packaging.
This German startup manufactures items such as bowls, trays, cups, and sushi and pizza containers from recyclable polypropylene. The startup also offers a free returns system through a mobile app. Allows consumers to see all restaurants that allow borrowing or returning. Partner store employees scan the user's QR code in the app to verify the digital identity of returnables. The startup then checks and cleans the returned items in a dishwasher for reuse.
reusable containers
3. Internet of waste
In traditional waste management systems, municipalities and waste management companies often end up spending a lot of money and effort on waste collection. Garbage trucks often visit containers that are not yet full or those that are full of garbage. Therefore, startups are developing IoT-based smart waste management solutions to reduce inefficiencies in garbage collection. These solutions leverage sensors, IoT platforms and mobile applications.
With the help of technology, work is being done on smart containers that transmit information about the filling level in real time to waste collectors. This streamlines the collection process and eliminates inefficient visits to nearly empty trash bins, saving time, fuel and labor.
Recytrust IoT based digital weight scale for recycling bins
Greek startup Recytrust develops an IoT-based digital weight scale. When placed under a recycling bin, it monitors the weight of the waste and generates alerts when the bin needs to be emptied.
Additionally, the accompanying mobile app provides driving routes and alerts while collecting real-time metrics on the weight of recyclables to be collected. Additionally, when confirming a collection, you enter a unique tracking code into a ledger that allows you to track the origin of your recyclables and provide proof of circularity reports and certifications.
Ishitva Robotics Systems: smart trash can
It is an Indian startup that offers an IoT-enabled smart container that automatically separates dry waste like paper, plastics, and cans. In addition to having a fill level sensor for garbage, it also offers route optimization for waste collection.
garbage collection
4. Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered sensors differentiate between items made of different materials, as well as nuances between those made of the same materials. It also detects chemical contamination in items. That is why AI in waste management is one of the emerging trends in the circular economy. AI enables waste management companies to reduce the need for labor, thereby reducing costs and maximizing efficiency.
Recycleye designs AI-powered waste management solutions
Recycleye is involved in waste sorting with the help of artificial intelligence vision system that identifies and classifies all items in waste streams, by material, object and even brand. WasteNet, the startup's visual database of labeled waste items, identifies waste at the brand level. Leveraging artificial intelligence to power Recycleye's robotic collector, it adapts to changing waste compositions without the need for retrofitting.
Lixo French startup that offers hardware and software tools for waste management companies.
The software solution consists of an artificial intelligence tool that displays an accurate view of waste streams, analyzes its composition and characterizes the waste in real time. A dashboard allows stakeholders to view key indicators such as purity, flow, and downtime.
5. Bio-based materials
Bio-based materials are generally compostable and also easier to recycle, helping businesses and consumers reduce their carbon footprint. They find applications in the packaging, construction, healthcare and automotive sectors. For the packaging industry, startups are developing sustainable packaging solutions such as compostable packaging and edible cutlery.
Teysha Technologies develops sustainable polymers
The platform uses hydrolytic decomposition to produce polymeric materials from renewable resources. The startup uses various comonomers, solvents and additives to modify the properties of the final polymer network. Creates a variety of end products ranging from hard and rigid to soft materials, which are applied directly to plant machinery.
MOGU produces eco-friendly interior design materials from Mycelium
The startup grows mycelium strains in pre-designed substrates from agro-industrial waste. By adjusting the array settings, you collect different materials to use for wall panels and tiles. The fungal mycelium acts as a reinforcement of the matrix structure, creating a coherent, plastic-free composite material. At the end of production, an inerting process slowly dries the mycelium materials to reduce energy consumption.