What’s new
Tobacco shops buy back used nitrous oxide canisters and trigger collection pick-ups
2 €Concept payout per returned canister
Service concept2025/26
Theme · 12 projects
Sustainability & resources
Energy, emissions, waste, water and recyclable materials, plus ESG transparency.
Highlights
All 95 projectsWhere this theme shines.
What’s new
Machine learning schedules industrial cooling by energy price, emissions or both
Up to 20 %Projected electricity cost savings
Platform2022/23
What’s new
Yarn blending bioplastic with leftover cotton replaces fossil fibres in knitwear
Physical product2017/18
All projects in this theme · 9
More projects in this theme.
BioNetA decentralised biogas network that turns farm waste into biomethane for Intel's Irish campus.Intel IrelandDublin IE · Karlsruhe DE
Problem
Intel Ireland needs large amounts of natural gas and wants to cut fossil-fuel dependency. Ireland lacks the renewable infrastructure and biowaste to meet that demand.
What they built
Participating farms receive anaerobic digesters. BioNet collects the biogas, upgrades it to biomethane on the Intel campus and coordinates logistics, regulatory compliance and technical support for farmers.
Impact
Farmers gain a new revenue stream with technical and regulatory help. Intel reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions.
STEPA platform that measures employees' commuting emissions and rewards sustainable choices.SUMMITDublin IE · São Paulo BR
Problem
Companies face stricter mandates on scope 3 emissions but struggle to record them. Individuals feel powerless and need motivation for lasting change.
What they built
Employees opt into STEP's reward and verification system, earn points for sustainable commutes and exchange them in a marketplace. Employers receive analytics that quantify scope 3 emissions.
Impact
Employees cut their footprint and gain a sense of impact. Employers reduce and report scope 3 emissions and learn what drives behaviour change.
Tier XA tool that gives corporate customers transparent ESG figures across their supply chains.LBBWPotsdam DE · Nice FR
Problem
How can ESG key figures be generated and presented transparently and reliably for corporate customers, from product through production to the whole company?
What they built
TierX tracks shipments, monitors inventory and delivers analytics on supply-chain performance. Automation and predictive analytics help companies assess supplier risks.
Impact
Full visibility into supply chains and comprehensive risk assessments of suppliers.
CO/LABSoftware that simulates how a company would implement the artificial-leaf technology.Italian Institute of TechnologyNice FR · Bologna IT
Problem
IIT's artificial leaf mimics photosynthesis but is not ready for industrial scale. Companies hesitate to invest at this early stage, yet IIT needs them to develop it further.
What they built
CO/LAB runs an interactive simulation of implementing the artificial leaf in a company's processes and produces a detailed report for its financial team. The simulation can be revised per company.
Impact
A common language between IIT and companies. IIT collects reliable data; companies see whether the technology pays off.
-jpg-800.webp)
ESGoAn app that scores any product or company on environmental, social and governance criteria.CRIFBologna IT
Problem
How might CRIF engage current and future clients in B2C and B2B2C, with a focus on Gen Z, whose needs differ from earlier generations?
What they built
ESGo scans products and searches companies, returning an easy-to-read ESG score based on quantified factors. Users share ideas and discuss products with their community.
Impact
Gen Z makes informed, responsible purchases. CRIF, trusted in credit scoring, builds a relationship with a generation it must address differently.
COMPASSAn app that guides individuals to greener consumption and lets them fund local sustainable projects.PostFinanceSt. Gallen CH
Problem
People want to live more sustainably but are stuck in habits. Entrepreneurs with sustainable ideas struggle to find funding and demand in Switzerland.
What they built
Compass gives users a personalised view of their behaviour and lets them support entrepreneurs' projects with the cheers they collect. Realised projects create new alternatives for everyone.
Impact
A compass for individuals and a funding platform for entrepreneurs. PostFinance takes a lead in driving sustainable behaviour among young people.
Frio - Smart fridge system for hotelsA compact smart minibar that switches off in empty rooms and reports savings.NKC Nakanishi Metal WorksMelbourne AU · Kyoto JP
Problem
Hotel minibars run continuously because they are not tied to key-card power control. Across all rooms, that consumes a lot of energy.
What they built
Frio uses Kaimen's micro-cooling technology to shrink the exterior by 100 mm at equal volume. A digital system lets staff monitor power consumption and savings across rooms.
Impact
Integrated with property management systems, Frio switches fridges on and off with check-in and check-out, saving space, energy and manual effort.
ShouhuA web application that analyses industrial wastewater in real time and recommends how to combine it, for GF.Georg FischerPotsdam DE · Shanghai CN
Problem
Industrial parks in China collect factory wastewater in one pool, ignoring synergy effects, while illegal discharge pollutes rivers and lakes.
What they built
Shouhu analyses properties such as pH, temperature and chemical oxygen demand and recommends how operators should classify and combine wastewater to save costs and energy.
Impact
Operators save additives and energy and gain flexibility. GF gains valuable data for better data-driven treatment models.
UiN by LiporA rewards app that motivates Porto citizens to sort food waste ahead of EU rules.LiporPorto PT · Espoo FI
Problem
Portuguese citizens are not ready for mandatory biowaste sorting from 2023. They lack knowledge and motivation, and existing solutions are few and outdated.
What they built
UiN gives citizens tags for bins fitted with electronics. Sorting earns points to exchange for grocery discounts or cinema tickets, alongside a community tab and sorting tips.
Impact
Higher sorting rates in the first years of the new system. Lipor's partnerships with local businesses stimulate their growth.