In this month’s Spotlight on Innovation, we are thrilled to showcase the five sustainability companies that took part in our Experience Innovation event, From Waste to Worth: Transforming Waste for the Circular Economy!
Boson Energy is a pioneering company focused on transforming non-recyclable waste into valuable resources like hydrogen and energy. Founded in 2008 the company leverages advanced gasification technology to break down complex hydrocarbons in waste into hydrogen and captured CO2. This process not only provides a sustainable solution for waste management but also contributes to local energy security and reduces environmental impact. Boson Energy’s approach is designed to be clean, distributed, and circular, ensuring no emissions, no ash, and no water or grid stress.
The company’s vision is to produce one million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030, which translates to recycling over 10 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste. Boson Energy’s innovative solutions offer sector coupling opportunities, integrating waste treatment with energy production, transportation, and green chemicals. This allows for cost-competitive, zero-emission commercial transport and local grid support without additional infrastructure. By turning waste into a resource, Boson Energy aims to bring clean air and energy to future generations, addressing two of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Daika Wood is an innovative company that has developed a new, all-natural material composed of wood waste. This material retains the unique properties of real wood, such as warmth, sense, and acoustics, while also being water-resistant and fire-retardant. Daika Wood’s technology utilizes existing industrial mass-manufacturing processes, ensuring that their products can be further processed just like natural timber. The company’s approach is both sustainable and efficient, as it uses low-energy, no-waste streams to create high-end wood products.
The mission of Daika Wood is to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional wood fabrication processes. By leveraging wood waste (e.g. broken furniture) and avoiding plastics or petroleum-based materials, Daika Wood aims to reduce environmental impact while offering competitive, high-quality products. Their green technology not only addresses the issue of wood waste but also provides a viable solution for industries looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Daika Wood’s commitment to sustainability and innovation positions them as a leader in the field of eco-friendly materials.
Re-Fresh Global is a biotech startup dedicated to addressing the environmental challenges posed by textile waste. Utilizing patented biochemical processes, the company converts discarded textiles into valuable raw materials such as nanocellulose, ethanol, and sanitized textile pulp. Their innovative approach involves enzymatic hydrolysis to separate cellulose and synthetic fibers, enabling the efficient recycling of low-value textile waste into high-value products. This technology is implemented through their ‘Smart Textile Waste Upcycling Microfactories,’ which facilitate local and cost-effective upcycling on a large scale.
The company is driven by a team of designers, scientists, circular economy experts, and business innovators who are committed to creating a sustainable future for the fashion industry. By transforming textile waste into new raw materials, Re-Fresh Global aims to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry and promote a circular economy. Their efforts not only help in managing waste but also contribute to the development of sustainable manufacturing practices.
TripleW is a pioneering company that transforms food waste into high-value bioplastics. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on converting abundantly available food waste into pure polymer-grade lactic acid, a key component in the production of PLA (polylactic acid) bioplastics. This innovative approach not only addresses the environmental challenges of waste management but also provides a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, which are typically derived from fossil fuels.
With expertise in biochemical fermentation, waste refinement, and microorganism industrialization, TripleW aims to decarbonize waste on a massive scale. Their circular process keeps food waste out of landfills, reduces carbon emissions, and produces valuable biobased materials. By leveraging their technology, TripleW is contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future, aligning with global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote circular economies.
UBQ Materials is an innovative company that transforms unsorted municipal solid waste into a sustainable, bio-based thermoplastic material. Founded in 2012, UBQ Materials developed a patented process that converts household waste, including organics and hard-to-recycle materials, into a cost-competitive composite material. This material can substitute conventional oil-based plastics in various products, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and minimizing the extraction of natural resources.
The company’s mission is to create a circular economy where finite resources are infinitely reused. UBQ Materials’ technology not only diverts waste from landfills and incinerators but also provides a sustainable alternative to oil-based plastics. Their innovative approach has attracted partnerships with major brands like Mercedes-Benz and McDonald’s, showcasing the potential of UBQ’s material to revolutionize the way we manage waste and produce everyday products.
Please reach out to Bernard at bernard@michiganisrael.com if you’d like to connect with any of these companies.
