Circular Valley in Germany identifies incubator candidates

The Wuppertal, Germany-based Circular Valley consortium says a decision has been made in favor of 15 startup companies who will receive first batch support as part of its Circular Economy Accelerator program.

Saying the startups have “prevailed in a field of top-class international competitors,” Circular Valley indicates research and business development cooperation will begin virtually or in person starting in mid-June, depending on COVID-19-related restrictions.

“All of the participating startups will be concerned, in particular, with issues relating to the closure of material cycles in terms of the European Green Deal and the development of business models for the circular economy,” states Circular Valley.

“The 15 startups cover a broad range of topics: from the use of bio-based raw materials and circular solutions in the construction industry, solutions for collecting plastics in rivers, alternative packaging materials, recycling of electronic waste, reduction of food waste and repair solutions for household appliances to high-quality textile recycling,” says Carsten Gerhardt, chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation.

The startup firms are spread out geographically in Europe, Asia and Australia, says the foundation.

A new application phase for the second batch of startups invited to take part in the Accelerator program will begin by mid-August. “Once again, the search will be on for start-ups that are involved in the topic of circular value creation,” states the foundation.

Circular Valley has set for itself the goal of developing technologies to counter what it calls the ever-increasing global problem of more than 100 billion tons of CO₂ and other emissions. Among its targets are to recycle or otherwise reduce or divert discarded household, construction and manufacturing production materials.