Biochemistry and chemistry
BUBBLES WITH BENEFITS
The demand for protective packaging materials is constantly growing, driven especially by the increasing popularity of E-commerce. However, plastic materials have numerous harmful effects throughout their linear lifecycles. For example, plastic production relies on non-renewable fossil fuels and creates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In addition, the majority of plastic waste ends up in the environment, causing significant environmental, economic, and health risks Without changes to the current practices, the global amount of plastic waste is forecasted to triple to over 1040 million tonnes by 2060. To combat the global plastic pollution crisis, there is an urgent and growing need for sustainable alternatives, especially for plastic packaging materials that make up nearly half of the global plastic waste.
Our solution is a sustainable sealed air packaging material (bubble and foam wrap) that provides the benefits of sealed air packaging material without harming the environment. It is completely plastic-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable, and low cost. It does not contribute to the current microplastic crisis as it is cellulose-based and dissolves in water. Our material is flexible, customizable in size/shape/colors, and contains air bubbles that provide superior cushioning for protecting fragile items during storing and delivery. With these features, it has the potential to address the current gap in the market of sustainable protective packaging materials. The demand for protective packaging materials is constantly growing, driven especially by the increasing popularity of E-commerce. However, plastic materials have numerous harmful effects throughout their linear lifecycles. For example, plastic production relies on non-renewable fossil fuels and creates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In addition, the majority of plastic waste ends up in the environment, causing significant environmental, economic, and health risks without changes to the current practices, the global amount of plastic waste is forecasted to triple to over 1040 million tonnes by 2060. To combat the global plastic pollution crisis, there is an urgent and growing need for sustainable alternatives, especially for plastic packaging materials that make up nearly half of the global plastic waste.
Our solution is a sustainable sealed air packaging material (bubble and foam wrap) that provides the benefits of sealed air packaging material without harming the environment. It is completely plastic-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable, and low cost. It does not contribute to the current microplastic crisis as it is cellulose-based and dissolves in water. Our material is flexible, customizable in size/shape/colors, and contains air bubbles that provide superior cushioning for protecting fragile items during storing and delivery. With these features, it has the potential to address the current gap in the market of sustainable protective packaging materials.
Contact: Janne Raula, Innovation Advisor (CHEM)
CUREN-M
CuRen-M aims to show proof of feasibility for using copper redox flow batteries to supply large-scale energy storage for various use cases tied directly to the increasing adoption of renewable generators. The technology applies copper as an active material to bring more sustainable and efficient long-term energy storage to the energy market. It improves on the standard lithium and vanadium-based battery systems in terms of cost, reliability, and environmental impact. These advantages lower the costs of integrating renewable energy sources into the existing energy grid to play a role in the decarbonisation of the energy mix. The project will focus on increasing the competitive edge of the technology over current technological competitors through fundamental research and improvements to the operation and use of the technology. In addition, through the construction of a 5 kW / 25 kWh proof of concept system within the project, the system can be tested in applicable use cases to show the technology's viability. Finally, the project aims to evaluate the economic feasibility of this technology and to show proof of feasibility.
Contact: Janne Raula, Innovation Advisor (CHEM)
WUUD
Mechanically and chemically modified wood Wuud, is an outstanding solution for exterior and interior claddings. A ready to install cladding product that combines new surface textures and aesthetics, a natural color scale that is well suited for modern architecture, a 50-year service free lifespan and fire proofing.
Contact: Janne Raula, Innovation Advisor (CHEM)