Big applause for Green Alley Award finalists

Despite the pandemic, the Green Alley Award wants to keep central questions of the circular economy in focus: how can we use our resources more sustainably, preserve nature and protect the environment? Six startups with outstanding solutions to these problems have made it to the finals in 2021.

Out of 189 applications, a public vote and Landbell Group’s expert panel selected six startups from Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The award ceremony is online this year – because of the coronavirus pandemic – and the winner will receive the €25,000 prize.

Here are the finalists!

Carbonauten (Germany): Reducing CO₂ in our atmosphere is an important result of Carbonauten’s innovative biomaterial made of wooden residues. Instead of emitting greenhouse gases while rotting, the wood is turned into carbon and combined with different binders. The resulting materials can replace conventional plastics and building materials for various industries. In this way, one tonne of Carbonauten’s biomaterial can store an equivalent of more than 3 tonnes of CO₂.

Dimpora (Switzerland): Outdoor wear should be breathable and protect you from wind and water. But these features usually involve chemical processes and come with high costs for human health and the environment. Dimpora, a Swiss startup, has now developed a high-performing alternative to conventional membranes that does not use any toxic chemicals at all in the production process. The membrane can also be made biodegradable and be added to any kind of garment, making outdoor activities completely natural again.

Kleiderly (Germany): Berlin-based startup, Kleiderly, is solving two environmental problems at once: the growing number of garments wasted each year, as well as the rising demand for oil-based thermoplastics. The startup recycles old clothing and textile waste and turns it into a sustainable plastic alternative that can be used to produce any kind of plastic goods, including eyewear, clothes hangers or even furniture.

ReSync (Germany): Everyday, businesses produce various kinds of waste that they must dispose of in compliance with legal obligations. An easy way to find the right recycler for their needs is an online B2B recycling platform developed by ReSync. The platform matches companies with recycling contractors that are conveniently located and offer value for money. The positive side-effects are improved waste separation and increased collection rates. ReSync has entered the Green Alley Award finals as the winner of the first public vote.

Traceless Materials (Germany): The invention of Traceless Materials claims to be one step ahead of other bioplastics on the market today. Thanks to the special technology developed by the German startup, agricultural industry residues are transformed into a sustainable alternative to film, hard plastic packaging or plastic coating. The result is an all-natural material that is not only completely bio-based, but can also be composted in your organic waste bin within two to nine weeks.

TrusTrace (Sweden): From fiber to garment, fashion brands must deal with complex production processes and numerous suppliers. Therefore, a digital platform developed by Swedish startup TrusTrace promises to shed more light on the materials in fashion products and how they are manufactured. This helps fashion companies to ensure that supply chains align with their sustainability goals and even enables product verification for circular business models.

All six finalists will present their business idea online on 22^nd April 2021 and answer the questions of the jury, who will then determine the winner of the Green Alley Award 2021.

If you want to have a closer look at the startups and experience the award ceremony online, you can register for the event here.