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Apr 01, 2020

Finalists of the first ISC3 Innovation Challenge selected

The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) selected eight finalists of the first edition of its Innovation Challenge. The competition called for innovations in the field of Sustainable Building and Living and resulted in 47 top-notch applications from six continents and 26 countries. The Challenge is organized annually with a different thematic focus, and awards the winner with a 25,000 Euro prize.

The applications selected as finalists span a broad range of building- and construction-related topics:

  •  The Finnish start-up “Block Solutions” developed block modules from wood fibre biocomposite, which can be used for building affordable, sustainable and safe housing;
  •  “Ecoact Tanzania” invented an energy-conserving technology which transforms post-consumer plastic garbage and packaging materials into durable plastic timbers;
  •  “Ecovon” from Ghana developed a formaldehyde-free, bio-based renewable wood alternative made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse;
  •  “Glassolina” (Egypt) up-cycles wood and plastic waste to produce composite sheets with superior properties, which can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of buildings;
  •  “Mesocarpe” from Germany came up with an active biodegradable membrane made from renewable resources and minerals, which regulates indoor air quality by filtering pollutants and bacteria;
  •  The US-based “Reuse Design Laboratory” developed a lightweight, isolative masonry block system containing up to 90% recycled drywall waste, thus addressing the problem of the growing landfill rate of construction and demolition waste;
  •  The German “SUMTEQ” launched affordable, high-performance insulation material made on the basis of polymer nanofoams;
  •  “Zila Works” (USA) invented with 100% BPA-free epoxy resin made from industrial hemp, for use in composites and other industrial applications, such as coatings.

The finalists of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2019/2020 were chosen by a judging panel of 16 international, independent reviewers from the ISC3 partner organizations, the ISC3 Advisory Board, and external experts assigned by the ISC3.

All eight finalists will receive on-going customized support within the ISC3 Global Start-up Service and visibility through the ISC3 communication channels. Moreover, they will be provided with a travel grant to participate in the expert workshops and the Investor Forum 2020 on October 22, 2020,, organized by the ISC3 in cooperation with its partner, a US-based Think BeyondTM Innovation Accelerator. In preparation for the Forum, the finalists will take part in an online start-up training provided by the Think BeyondTM team. On the basis of their presentation in the end of the training, five finalists will be shortlisted and given the opportunity to pitch during the Investor Forum and compete to win 25.000 Euro.

For more information on the ISC3 Innovation Challenge and the Investor Forum 2020, visit  www.isc3.org.

 

About ISC3

ISC3 is a new independent, international institution promoting and developing sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. It is a globally acting institution, a multi-stakeholder platform, and think-tank that engages with civil society, politics, and the private sector to contribute to international chemicals policies and the formation of a global network for collaboration, innovation, research, and education on sustainable chemistry. The ISC3 was founded in 2017 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA). It is hosted by the German giz (Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit) and supported by its Research & Education Hub at Leuphana University, Lüneburg, and Innovation Hub at DECHEMA e.V., Frankfurt.

 

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