Imagine coffee waste turning into battery materials, used textiles contributing to sustainable steel production, or adhesives derived from bioethanol—these are just some examples from the recently approved projects within the BioInnovation initiative.
Supporting Groundbreaking Ideas
This spring, BioInnovation’s “Hypothesis Testing” program awarded funding to six innovative projects under its Step 1 initiative. Each project is based on bold, transformative questions aimed at replacing fossil-based solutions with bio-based and circular alternatives.
“These projects offer a diverse range of solutions for increasing the proportion of bio-based innovations,” says Sverker Danielsson, Deputy Program Manager at BioInnovation. “We’re eager to see how these exciting ideas evolve.”
Encouraging Early-Stage Innovation
Program Manager Per Edström highlights the value of the initiative:
“Hypothesis Testing addresses a vital need in fostering new ideas. Over the years, this initiative has enabled hundreds of organizations to take their first step in the circular bioeconomy.”
The next application round for Step 1 closes on September 3rd—a final opportunity to leverage this unique platform.
Pioneering New Partnerships
Sandra Roos, Sustainability Director at Kappahl, who leads a project on repurposing used textiles, shares her insights:
“Our idea of solving resource challenges by addressing waste problems is too good not to explore. The fast timelines in Hypothesis Testing are critical for fostering innovative collaborations and evaluating real potential.”
Similarly, Dr. Illia Dobryden and Dr. Marie-Claude Béland of the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden describe their project, “Waste to Watt?”
“This program provides an excellent opportunity to test coffee waste as a sustainable material for circular batteries, enhancing Europe’s resilience in battery production. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Selecta and Granode on this exciting hypothesis. And remember: ‘By drinking coffee, we can all contribute to greener batteries!’”
Funded Projects in Spring 2024
Here are the innovative projects awarded funding under Step 1 of Hypothesis Testing:
- “Waste to Watt?” – Transforming coffee waste into battery materials.
- Valorization of Fungal Biomass – Using forest industry byproducts for new applications.
- Sustainable Steel Production – Repurposing used textiles for steel manufacturing.
- Bio-Based Adhesives – Creating VAM-based adhesives from bioethanol.
- Piezoelectric Fibers – Developing bio-based fibers for technical textiles.
- Cellulose Matrix Innovation – Advancing nonwoven cellulose for immunoadsorption.
These projects exemplify how innovative thinking and bio-based approaches can tackle pressing global challenges, paving the way for a sustainable future.
2024-07-04 | Nyheter, Nytt om utlysningar
