KfW to provide €24bn loan for hydrogen network development grant to bridge the gap between network operators’ high investment costs and the initially low revenues from network charges

KfW Development Bank has offered €24 billion ($25.2 billion). The 9,040km link, to be completed by 2032, will see existing natural gas pipelines repurposed and new hydrogen pipelines built. Hydrogen to start to flow in pipelines in Germany in 2025. The German national hydrogen strategy is approved by the Federal Network Agency

KfW Development Bank has offered €24 billion ($25.2 billion) grant to bridge the gap between network operators’ high investment costs and the initially low revenues from network charges

KfW’s loan will finance an amortization account to offset deficits, with surplus revenue repaying the loan once network fees exceed costs

The network will repurpose existing gas pipelines and construct new hydrogen lines, connecting production, import sites, and industrial hubs. The first sections are set to launch next year

Integrating potential hydrogen production sites and connecting key industrial centres will enable the industrial use of hydrogen as a climate-neutral energy source. The successful switch to hydrogen is a critical factor, especially for energy-intensive industries

European Project, Alehoop Uses Biorefineries to Extract Proteins From Seaweed & Legume Byproducts

 

ALEHOOP, a European project funded by Sustainable Bio–Based Europe, has used pilot-scale biorefineries to recover sustainable proteins from macroalgae (seaweed) and legume byproducts

The recovered proteins could be used to produce high-value food and feed products, including meat alternatives, snacks, and sports drinks. The project has conducted numerous safety tests to ensure that the proteins address any regulatory requirements and market barriers

Seaweed is a sustainable protein source as it requires no additional land or freshwater to grow and can benefit marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, legume processing generates byproducts such as seed coats, hulls, broken seeds, and leaves, which would normally be discarded; proteins made from these byproducts therefore have a very low carbon footprint

One challenge faced by the ALEHOOP project is that the quality and quantity of seaweed available can vary depending on the season and location. Accordingly, the project has had to optimise its process to ensure the production of consistently high-quality proteins

The pilot-scale extraction of proteins from algae and legume byproducts has been described as a “significant milestone”, and the project will now enter its final phase. This will involve validating the use of the proteins for food and feed applications

Another EU project producing seaweed-based foods is FunSea, which aims to improve the nutritional quality and safety of cultivated brown and green seaweed. The project is working to develop sustainable food products within three years, with the help of partners such as alt seafood startup BettaF!sh

“This achievement represents a big step towards providing sustainable, low-cost dietary proteins that can help reduce the EU’s dependency on imported proteins while also increasing food security, contributing to the circular bioeconomy, and helping mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Nuria Valdés Mediavilla, project manager at Contactica Innovation

 

 

Seaweed as the future vegan protein: Seaweed have been found to offer hidden nutritional treasure

Seaweed have been found to offer hidden nutritional treasure. Proteins from seaweed have the potential to become an important food component. According to a report published in Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have found a new way to extract these proteins 3 times more efficiently than before

Sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a sustainable protein source, and researchers have tripled its extraction efficiency, paving the way for innovative food applications. The protein found in sea lettuce offer addition to both meat and existing alternative protein sources. Seaweed is rich in essential nutrients and can be cultivated without the need for watering, fertilising, or insecticide use

The protein shift which is switching from red meat to more sustainable and healthy protein sources will help reduce the climate impact of food production while providing with nutritious diet. Many alternative protein sources, mainly based on peas, soy, and mushrooms, are common in our grocery stores. But all the vegetarian protein found under the sea is still an untapped source

Plant-Based Meat Cuts Environmental Impact by 89% than traditional animal-based proteins

The Good Food Institute (GFI) and Earth Shift Global carried out the new life cycle assessment of plant-based meat has found that meat alternatives have an 89 percent lower environmental impact than traditional animal-based proteins

 

Reducing the environmental impacts of food production, meat production, is critical to support global food security and address climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. Alternative proteins—meat made from plants, cultivated from animal cells, or produced via fermentation—offer more sustainable protein sources while maintaining the meat-eating experience. Plant-based meat, with its growing market share and accessibility, is positioned as a key part of a reimagined protein supply. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally recognized method used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product across its life cycle, including all relevant inputs and outputs. Policymakers, investors, companies, and consumers rely on LCA data to guide decisions that promote sustainable agricultural practices and a secure food supply

 

To evaluate the potential of plant-based meat to reduce the environmental impacts of the food system, GFI commissioned a comprehensive, ISO-certified LCA with two primary goals:

1. To compare the environmental impacts of plant-based meat and animal-based meat production

2.To evaluate the environmental impacts of plant-based meats produced using different raw materials and production methods

The takeaways are : Plant-based meat has, on average, 89% less environmental impact than animal-based meat and Plant-based meat has, on average, 91% lower impacts than beef, 88% lower impacts than pork, and 71% lower impacts than chicken

Plant-Based Diets Nearly 20% Cheaper Than Standard American Diet. The vegan diet not only makes you healthy but also wealthy

Eating vegan saves even more money when compared to the Mediterranean diet or any other type of diet

 

The total food costs were 19% lower on a vegan diet than on a standard American diet (SAD) such as animal products and refined ingredients. Costs were 25 percent lower when compared to a Mediterranean diet

 

The savings were mostly associated with eschewing traditional meat, which offset the additional outgoings for vegetables and plant-based proteins. Overall, the analysis suggests that people following a SAD diet could save more than $650 per year by going vegan, while those following a Mediterranean diet could save over $870

 

This latest analysis, by PCRM research in 2023, found low-fat vegan diets were around 16% less expensive than diets including meat, dairy, and egg

 

“As the cost of groceries remains stubbornly high, consumers should swap the meat and dairy products for a low-fat vegan diet based on fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans,” said Hana Kahleova, the lead author of the new paper and director of clinical research at PCRM

 

According to Technology Networks. “A vegan diet won’t just save money; it could save lives by helping to avoid or improve conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.”

 

According to a report by Bryant Research and Plant-Based Universities found that Universities could save half a million pounds and cut 84 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from food by switching to entirely plant-based catering

Lhyfe and German H2 mobility provider KEYOU sign a MoU to develop hydrogen mobility

Lhyfe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KEYOU to advance hydrogen mobility in Germany and Europe. Lhyfe is constructing a production plant in Schwäbisch Gmünd, near Stuttgart, Germany, which is expected to be operational by year-end

 

The facility will produce up to 4 tonnes of green hydrogen daily (with a 10 MW installed capacity). Lhyfe has secured a 15-year corporate PPA with EDP Renewables to ensure a steady supply of renewable electricity. Lhyfe has secured the supply of green electricity for this site by signing a long-term contract for the supply of renewable electricity (corporate PPA) with EDP Renewables, for a period of 15 years.

 

Furthermore, with this production capacity, KEYOU aims to deploy up to 100 hydrogen-powered vehicles between 2026 and 2030, starting in the Schwäbisch-Gmünd area and expanding to other German regions. The project will see an annual ramp-up of 20 trucks, with an estimated hydrogen demand of around 1,000 tonnes per year to support 100 vehicles

 

Earlier this year, Lhyfe signed a five-year agreement with H2 MOBILITY Deutschland to supply green hydrogen for the transportation sector. The initial supply will support four H2 MOBILITY fueling stations in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, beginning with locations in Ludwigshafen and Frankenthal

 

At the end of 2023, Lhyfe had announced that its green hydrogen will also be used to power the “H2-Aspen” industrial park and a JET H2 hydrogen filling station, now called MINT

 

KEYOU is a recognized technology leader in the development of hydrogen combustion engines. The company is developing both a conversion technology, to convert existing diesel trucks into hydrogen vehicles that meet the zero-CO2 requirements of the EU heavy-duty vehicle legislation, and a “Hydrogen Mobility as a Service” approach, with a full range of services (vehicle and engine conversion, service and maintenance package, insurance and, if required, the fuel).

 

The estimated hydrogen demand for 100 vehicles is about 1,000 tons of hydrogen per year.

  • The partners intend to work together to develop localized ecosystems that bring together the infrastructure for the production and distribution of renewable hydrogen, and the use of heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles.
  • The partners intend to collaborate to develop a joint approach including vehicles, green and renewable hydrogen and refueling solutions, and promote it to key customers. The goal of the agreement is to secure the availability and affordability of green hydrogen to power KEYOU’s hydrogen vehicles operation.
  • KEYOU will use Lhyfe’s digital platform, Lhyfe Heroes, to showcase its vehicles and encourage interested users to get in touch.

 

Funding for EU’s second hydrogen auction to around €2 billion. Spain, Lithuania and Austria will participate in the ‘Auctions-as-a-Service’ scheme as part of the second European Hydrogen Bank auction

Spain, Lithuania and Austria will participate in the ‘Auctions-as-a-Service’ scheme as part of the second European Hydrogen Bank auction, which will be launched on December 3, 2024. In addition to the €1.2 billion in EU funding from the Innovation Fund, the three countries will deploy over €700 million in national funds to support renewable hydrogen production projects located in their countries. The total funding mobilised by the auction will therefore be around €2 billion

 

Spain is allocating between €280 and €400 million for the scheme, using funds from its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the European Commission revealed, adding that the total support available will depend on the amount of funds used in the country’s existing State aid scheme for hydrogen clusters and valleys, which is also funded from RRP resources. The exact amount of support is expected to be confirmed by spring 2025

Lithuania is dedicating around €36 million for the scheme, from their Modernisation Fund budget. The Commission said that the participation will help the country reach its national target of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of electrolysis capacity and 129 kilotonnes of renewable hydrogen production annually by 2030

Austria is committing €400 million from its national budget to the scheme. As disclosed, hydrogen producers will be eligible for a maximum grant of €200 million per project, with a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) of production to be supported in this auction

“The mobilisation of this additional funding under a single European auction platform is an efficient system that increases opportunities and reduces costs for industry. In effect, participating companies in these countries are making one bid for two different sources of funding. The scheme enables Member States to finance additional projects in their country, even after the Innovation Fund’s budget has been fully allocated,” the Commission pointed out, encouraging other Member States to also take part in the scheme in the future

 

Today, at a stakeholder workshop on the European Hydrogen Bank organised by the European Commission’s DG CLIMA, it was announced that the budget for the second auction later this year would amount to €1.2 billion. This represents 25% of the Innovation Fund’s 2024 budget, with the remainder going to batteries (€1bn) and conventional grants (€2.6bn) which also support innovative hydrogen projects

 

Beyond the funding level, the design of the auction needs to continue evolving to increase its impact and to allow more projects to reach a final investment decision:

  • Keeping a 5-year period for commissioning is key;
  • Becoming more flexible on aid cumulation is crucial to speed up the decarbonisation of the economy;
  • Ensuring European funding support to the European technology value chain is essential. Introducing resilience criteria to preserve a key role for technologies and components made in Europe would help ensure the competitiveness of the European value chain

 

Hydrogen Europe will continue to work with the European Commission and industry stakeholders to shape a Hydrogen Bank that can effectively and ambitiously support the scale up of the sector, which is needed to reach our binding 2030 targets and carbon neutrality by 2050

EU Innovation Fund approves €265m grant for stegra formerly H2 Green Steel for renewable hydrogen-based steel plant

Green hydrogen-to-steel pioneer H2 Green Steel gets a €265m ($284m) grant from the Swedish government, after the EU gave the green light for the measure under state-aid rules
Swedish steel start-up Stegra — Formerly as H2 Green Steel — has received the first €100m ($112m) of €265m in state aid allocated by the government of Sweden
Stegra is in the midst of building a green steel plant in Boden, northern Sweden, which will feature more than 700MW of electrolyser capacity to supply hydrogen for direct iron reduction, with the sponge iron then processed into steel via a renewables-powered electric arc furnace
The €265m award, to be granted in part from Sweden’s Covid-recovery funds, takes the total state funding for the project to over €500m, following its award of €250m from the EU’s Innovation Fund last year

However the project amounts to the total of €6.5bn estimated for, which is otherwise being financed by a massive coalition of equity backers and debt funding to the tune of billions of euros
H2 Green Steel backs green sales contracts. it has secured with giants such as Porsche and Ikea, at premiums of 20-30% on the market price, for the scheme’s bankability
This plant will also host one of the largest electrolysers in the world. Reducing the climate impact of steelmaking is important for the achievement of the EU’s target of climate neutrality by 2050
The new facilities are expected to start operating in 2026 and produce 2.4 million tons of green steel per year

Indian Oil Corporation’s(IOC) green hydrogen project secures bids from Linde, Acme, Thermax technology for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services

Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOC) green hydrogen project has garnered interest from Linde, Acme, and Thermax. IOC, India’s largest oil refiner, is planning to set up a green hydrogen production unit at its Panipat refinery in Haryana

The green hydrogen generation plant in Panipat, with a capacity of 10,000 KTA, is slated to be the largest green hydrogen plant in the country.

The interested parties include:

  • Linde: A global industrial gases company with expertise in hydrogen production and distribution
  • Acme: An Indian renewable energy company with experience in solar and wind power
  • Thermax: An Indian energy and environment solutions company with expertise in hydrogen generation and storage

The project’s tender process is expected to commence soon, with IOC seeking partners for technology, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services

The green hydrogen project aligns with India’s National Hydrogen Mission, aiming to promote the use of hydrogen as a clean energy source. IOC plans to use the green hydrogen produced at Panipat to power its refineries, petrochemical plants, and transportation fleet

India’s push for green hydrogen is driven by its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. The country aims to achieve 15% of its energy requirements from hydrogen by 2050.

The IOC project is significant, as it will help establish India’s green hydrogen ecosystem and encourage other industries to adopt the clean energy source

The project’s success will also depend on the government’s support policies, including tax incentives, subsidies, and regulations to promote green hydrogen adoption

Textiles Waste Management in Europe’s circular economy. The EU generated an estimated 6.95 million tonnes of textile waste in 2020 — around 16kg per person

 

The EU generated an estimated 6.95 million tonnes of textile waste in 2020 — around 16kg per person. Of this, 4.4kg per person were collected separately for reuse and recycling, and 11.6kg per person ended up in mixed household waste. Of the total textile waste, 82% was post-consumer waste. The rest was textile waste generated from manufacturing or unsold textiles. In more than half of the EU-27 Member States, it is mandatory to collect textiles separately, but this is mostly to capture reusable textiles. If sorting and recycling capacities are not scaled up in Europe, there is a risk that significant amounts of collected textile waste will continue to end up in incinerators or landfills or be exported to regions outside the EU

 

Harmonisation of definitions and mandatory reporting on the amounts and management of used and waste textiles are needed for setting future targets and monitoring the sector’s progress towards circularity

 

 

The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) mandates that from 2025, EU Member States must establish separate collection systems for used textiles. This briefing provides an overview of the current state of textile waste generation, collection systems, treatment capacity and the different classifications for used textiles in Europe. Additionally, it identifies factors which must be considered when implementing separate collection systems to foster the circularity of textiles without inadvertently increasing exports, incineration, or landfilling

 

The apparel industry contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, exceeding those from international flights and marine shipping combined

The apparel industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, while almost 75% of textiles end up in landfills

A major challenge in managing textile waste is the lack of standardized classification and reporting systems across countries

 

The textile industry can learn from the successes of e-waste regulations, which improved recycling rates through extended producer responsibility and support the circular economy

Coca-Cola partners with Pollution Probe to collect Great Lakes plastic waste using a remote-controlled mobile waste collector

The Coca-Cola Co. in Canada has partnered with not-for-profit organization Pollution Probe on its Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative

Coca-Cola is sponsoring a new remote-controlled, mobile waste collector called a PixieDrone that will help Pollution Probe collect floating debris, plastic, flowing into the Great Lakes

The Coca-Cola x Pollution Probe project is part of the larger Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, an effort involving over 150 sites across the region, which seeks to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in North America’s largest freshwater system. This initiative aligns with Coca-Cola’s broader environmental commitment, particularly through its ‘World Without Waste’ program, which focuses on reducing plastic waste through technology and recycling.  The new PixieDrone will join over 135 other plastic capture technologies already deployed by the initiative throughout the Great Lakes

Coca-Cola is supporting the piloting of technology which will help remove plastic and other debris found in the Great Lakes. The drone was tested on Lake Simcoe, along the waterfront in Barrie, Ontario and will later be used at other Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup locations across the Great Lakes region starting Spring of 2025

“We are proud to support Pollution Probe on this important initiative, Our company recognizes its responsibility to help address the plastic waste crisis. Projects like this, in addition to packaging innovations and recycling efforts, are one of the ways we are working to help keep our waterways and environment clean from plastic debris”said Avi Yufest, senior director of public affairs at The Coca-Cola Company in Canada

World’s largest green hydrogen plant is now 60 percent complete, set for launch in 2026, Saudi Arabia

 

NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) is a $8.4 billion facility, world’s largest green hydrogen production plant, is progressing on schedule for full operations by the end of 2026. The project aims to produce up to 600 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen daily, potentially eliminating 5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually

NGHC – an equal joint venture between NEOM, ACWA Power and Air Products – highlighted a total of SAR 22.9 billion of financing secured from 23 financial institutions, including Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), as well as local and international banks. NGHC will be located in NEOM’s OXAGON. It will integrate up to 4GW of solar and wind energy, with around 5.6 million solar panels and over 250 wind turbines powering 2.2GW of electrolysers

The green hydrogen will be exported in the form of green ammonia by Air Products, the exclusive 30-year off-taker, for use in hard-to-abate sectors including heavy industry and transportation. Green hydrogen, created through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is seen as a critical component in reducing global carbon emissions, because it produces no greenhouse gases in the production process. This project is a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s pivot towards renewable energy, supporting the Kingdom’s pledge to generate at least 50 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative

NEOM Green Hydrogen Company is now 60 percent complete. The plant will rely entirely on solar and wind energy to power a 2.2 gigawatt electrolyzer, designed to produce hydrogen continuously

 

 

Peak sustainability ventures along with London-based AP Ventures invests in Mem-tech Investment to Accelerate Green Hydrogen Production

Peak Sustainability Ventures, India-based venture capital fund co-leads an investment in Hydrogen Mem-Tech with, amounting to a 10.5% ownership stake for Peak in the company

 

Peak Sustainability Ventures is one of India’s sustainability venture capital firms. The investment from Peak represents a significant milestone for Hydrogen Mem-Tech. The Trondheim-based company continues to grow its international presence and develop advanced hydrogen technologies. The strategic investment from Peak is part of Hydrogen Mem-Tech’s capital raising round targeting up to NOK 75 million.

 

The Norway-based Hydrogen Mem-Tech is supported by climate investors such as Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Shell Ventures, Yara Growth Ventures, and SINTEF

Investment is a Great Fit for Peak’s Strategy

 

Peak’s investment in Hydrogen Mem-Tech is based on the strong and trustworthy relationships built over the past 18 months

Peak backs innovative and deep tech early-stage companies addressing climate problems across four key pillars: New Energy, Water, Food Systems, and Climate Tech

 

Peak’s core investment strategy is to scale global climate technologies in India, and India-based technologies globally

“While we develop cost effective solutions for green hydrogen, Hydrogen Mem-Tech’s membrane-based separation technology provides hydrogen extraction from gas streams and green ammonia applications at a cost and efficiency advantage. This will contribute significantly to achieving global sustainability goals. We are keen to scale this technology in India and globally. Together with Thomas and his team, we look forward to building a great company”, says Shah

 

Gensol-Matrix consortium wins Rs 164 crore for first bio-hydrogen project to be set up in Pune

Gensol Engineering, a Solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and electric mobility solutions company along with Matrix Gas & Renewables, green hydrogen infrastructure developer and natural gas aggregator will develop the Rs 164 crore project
The collaboration will establish a 25 tonnes per day (TPD) bio-waste processing facility, producing 1 TPD green hydrogen infrastructure, Gensol Engineering. The company has strategically partnered with Westinghouse, USA, having a patented technology. In this case, the pre-gasification plasma-induced radiant energy-based gasification system technology will be utilised
Gensol and Matrix will set up the green hydrogen production plant on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis. The plant will supply green hydrogen to the specialty chemical sector with a firm off-take for 20 years. The government will provide 50% capex in the project’s capital expenditure is estimated to be ₹ 3.21 bn  ( 38.18 mn)

Vegan startups use mushroom as a growth opportunity, by turning mushrooms into mushroom-based meat alternatives

Startups create products that tap into the mushroom’s healthy attributes amid consumer demand for plant-based food options

1. unClassic Foods –

Founded in 2022 by food scientist Luiza Villela, unClassic Foods’ goal is to replace beef cattle with oyster mushrooms. Based in San Francisco, California, the company is reinventing the wheel with oyster mushroom  and even  fried ‘nuggets’ that resemble chicken. These products are pre-seasoned and pre-cooked, making it easy for consumers to reheat and eat. The startup showcased its products at The Good Food Institute’s GFC2023 conference in a Steak Biryani dish too

Ultimately, Villela says she wants her oyster mushrooms to take centerstage, outstripping animal protein. “Mushrooms will be at the centre of the plate as the protagonist of the dish

 

2. Shroomeats

Founded by three women, Pamas, Dissaya, and Mary, the startup hopes to displace meat consumption and its associated negative health impacts.Using upcycled shiitake mushrooms along with a handful of other vegan-friendly ingredients, Shroomeats has created a range of alternatives including mushroom balls, patties and ‘shred-it’ shredded “meat”.

Their shiitake mushrooms are sourced from an organic community farm in Thailand and is free of all 8 major allergens too. At the moment, Shroomeats’ range is sold online within the US

 

3. Fable

Fable is reimagining mushrooms. The Aussie company founded by food industry veterans Jim Fuller, Chris McLoghlin and Michael Fox is all about shiitake mushrooms, turning the uniquely umami-tasting fungi into a meat alternative

At the moment, the brand, which was one of the first to focus on  mushroom alternatives, is available in restaurants and grocery stores in Australia, Canada, the UK and Singapore also includes British health chains Planet Organic and Holland & Barrett, as well as burger joint Honest Burgers, Singapore’s SaladStop and Australian chain P’Nut Asian Kitchen.

As for the future, the startup, backed with a $8.5 million Series A in March, 2023 , plans to boost its R&D, accelerate its international growth and double down on its goal to make “minimally processed plant-based ingredients” popular

 

4. The Mushroom Meat Co

Founded by Kesha Stickland and Dan Gardner a husband-and-wife duo, The Mushroom Meat Co is turning gourmet mushrooms into everything from porkless shreds to beefy burgers and beefy bites. Yet to be launched in the market, the company is focused on B2B sales and is even working on a mushroom-based ‘fat’ to mimic the fatty mouthfeel consumers love about conventional beef

5. Adapt AgTech

Indoor farming startup Adapt AgTech is producing mushroom alt-protein products, the Canadian vertical farming firm has created mushroom-growing shipping containers. These will be the powerhouses having parking lots to logistical hubs into mushroom-growing locations, which allows restaurants and grocery shops to deliver mushrooms just steps away

The containers will offer speciality mushrooms, such as pink oyster, chestnut, pearl oyster, blue oyster, lion’s mane and king trumpet oyster mushrooms. All of these have different textural and mouthfeel qualities, making it a versatile ingredient to sustainably swap out meat without compromising on taste

Last year, Adapt, also known as Heartee Foods, opened its very first shipping container in Austin, Texas in the US, and plans to continue expanding across locations in the country

 

6. Big Mountain Foods

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Big Mountain Foods is a women-owned and family-led brand offers vegan and allergen-free range with mushrooms, and you’ll find veggie links, crumbles, burger patties, bites

The brand has presence in major retailers, including Albertsons, Safeway, Walmart and Sprouts Farmers Market

 

7. Tupu

Tupu, a Berlin-based agtech company, is solving the mushroom production-and-transportation dilemma by enabling organic gourmet mushrooms to be grown in the cities. Using modular farming technology, bioscience, IoT and AI, the startup helps make indoor gourmet mushroom farming economically viable

Currently, Tupu’s portfolio of mushroom species includes king oysters, grey oysters, shiitakes, lion’s manes and yellow oysters, and they are keen to continue expanding their line-up in the years ahead with coral tooth, nameko. Armed with $3.2 million in seed funding which closed in October 2023, the urban farming company plans to get its mushrooms onto more plates across Europe via its B2B channel by partnering with restaurants

At the moment, Tupu’s mushrooms can be found at the Berlin restaurants

 

A green tech company based in Sweden, PlasticFri has developed a technology that offers an eco-friendly and plant-based alternative to plastic

As awareness about the environmental damage caused by single-use plastic packaging grows, the market for bioplastic products has surged. Items marketed as “plant-based,” “eco-friendly,” “biodegradable,” and “compostable” are becoming commonplace in the food industry.  This report aims to clarify these terms and assess the true environmental impact of bioplastics

PlasticFri is a GreenTech company from Sweden with a breakthrough technology turning agricultural waste to eco-friendly products for replacing plastics. PlasticFri provides sustainable products to reduce their environmental footprint, move to circular economy, reach their corporate social responsibility (CSR) targets, enhance their brand image

PlasticFri uses natural ingredients and plant-based raw materials such as agricultural waste and non-edible plants in its products. The products are 100% biodegradable & compostable and designed for circularity and the biological cycle using renewable resources

The products by PlasticFri are price competitive to plastics in large scale. PlasticFri’s products are already verified and certified by international certification standards

 

Matteco, spain-based cleantech raises €15M to drive down the green hydrogen making cost by 20%

 

Matteco’s  patented technology transforms the economics of green hydrogen production, reducing both capital investment and operating costs. It aims to solve the biggest pain point in green hydrogen production: high production costs, both in terms of operations and equipment investment

 

The novel platinum-free materials (PGMs) enable lower energy consumption in electrolysers, higher current densities, and superior stability and durability. This increases green hydrogen’s competitiveness against fossil fuels

 

The company is a spin-off from the University of Valencia and is part of Zubi Labs, the impact company builder of the Zubi Group. It develops catalysts, catalytic coatings, and electrodes, renewable hydrogen hydrogen component through alkaline electrolysis and AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane)

 

The closing of Series A and the joining of new investors just one year after the company’s founding confirms its high growth potential

 

Matteco is backed by a group of national and international family offices committed to impact investing, including Grupo ASV (Spain), Napali (Chile) and Zubi (Spain)

 

According to Iker Marcaide, co-founder and CEO of Matteco:

“We look forward to this new phase of growth and scaling up with partners who strongly believe in impact investing so that together we can harness the potential of materials innovation to solve the environmental challenges we face.”

 

Matteco has customers  presence in Europe, North America and Asia. It aims to grow its team from  30 to 100 in 2025

 

The funds will also be used for the opening and ramp-up of its 10,000 sqm catalyst and electrode factory in Paterna (Valencia), which will enable Matteco to produce the equivalent of 1 gigawatt (GW) of electrodes per year