Call4Circular x Greenthesis | Innovation for environmental services

In the current global scenario, addressing environmental challenges has become imperative. The growing climate crisis, excessive use of natural resources, and pollution demand a change based on innovative solutions and collaborations. The transition towards a circular economy represents a concrete response to these issues, promoting a regenerative economic model that reduces waste, extends product lifecycles, and optimizes resource use.

With this goal, Call4Circular x Greenthesis | Innovation for Environmental Services was created, a circular open innovation project by the Circular Economy Lab – an initiative of Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory – for Greenthesis, aimed at identifying and supporting projects that propose circular innovations in environmental services. This initiative seeks to engage entrepreneurs, startups, and innovative SMEs ready to contribute cutting-edge ideas and solutions.

THE GREENTHESIS GROUP

With thirty years of experience in the Green Economy sector, the Greenthesis Group is one of the leading integrated Italian operators in environmental services, including remediation solutions, waste-to-energy technologies, wastewater treatment, sludge management, biogas and biomethane production, and advanced technological solutions for the recovery, recycling, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

The Greenthesis Group aims to be a constant reference point in the environmental sector for technological innovation and a systemic approach to services. With a strategic vision and investments in sustainability and research, the Group aims to continue growing, even at an international level, through the acquisition and development of additional companies, thus strengthening its leadership role in the environmental sector. In this vision, the Group strongly believes in voluntary responsibility, consistently and coherently with its core values, towards a wide range of social stakeholders, including the territory in which it operates and the community it interacts with.

Scouting

Call4Circular x Greenthesis | Innovation for Environmental Services targets innovative startups and SMEs from Italy and abroad, aiming to select innovative technologies in the environmental services field, focusing specifically on those enabling innovative business models in terms of sustainability and circular economy.

After an initial scouting phase of the received applications, the highest potential projects will have the opportunity to participate in the Selection Day. During the event, the selected entities can present themselves to the Heads of Business Units and the Top Management of the Greenthesis Group, aiming to develop technological synergies in subsequent phases through pilot projects or Proof of Concept, commercial collaborations, or Corporate Venture Capital investments.

Specifically, the search focuses on four areas of interest.

Areas of Interest

WATER

Sludge management and valorization. For example: sludge densification and combustion combined with agricultural and agro-industrial waste. Recovery of phosphorus and ammonia and other valuable materials from sludge treatment residues. Treatments for capturing and decomposing poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Innovative systems for wastewater and contaminated groundwater treatment.

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

Carbon dioxide capture, storage, and reuse. Production, storage, and distribution of green hydrogen and biomethane, including new production cycles Innovative environmental remediation systems. Combustion of methane and hydrogen-enriched mixtures.

MATERIAL RECOVERY

Recovery of secondary raw materials from biomass. Chemical recovery from combustion residues and fly ashes. Recovery of electronic components and photovoltaic panels. Recovery and valorization of plastic and composite material processing waste in other sectors.

AI & DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Applications of digital and AI technologies for the environment and sustainability. Digitization of processes and monitoring, e.g., Carbon Footprint Innovative systems for managing ETS credits and energy management.

TIMELINE

24 June 2024 – 3 September 2024 | Scouting and Application Collection Activities

4 September 2024 – October 2024 | Assessment and Prioritization of the Best Technological Solutions

November 2024 | Selection Day

December 2024 | Startup-Company Collaboration Start

Opportunità & Follow up progettuali

During the Selection Day, up to a maximum of 10 realities will be selected to access the next stages of the initiative dedicated to the development of collaborations with the Greenthesis Group. Specifically, participating in the Call4Circular x Greenthesis | Innovation for environmental services offers the opportunity to

Carry out POC (Proof Of Concept) within the Greenthesis Group plants collecting valuable data and feedback as well as visibility within the industrial network.
Create a strategic commercial partnership
Accelerate the development of the innovative project thanks to the support of an established leader in the waste recovery and valorisation sector.
Access direct investment from the Greenthesis Group

Selected startups will also have the opportunity to be presented to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for evaluation, with the possibility of access to the EMF Community Platform and inclusion in the Circular Startup Index.

Case Study: Carborem's journey with the Greenthesis Group

Carborem is a cutting-edge company in the field of patented hydrothermal technologies for sludge treatment and raw material recovery, in which they will illustrate their experience and which has started a successful collaboration with the Greenthesis Group.

Read the interview with Michela Lucian (CTO & Project Manager and Founder) and Fabio Merzari (Plant Manager and Process Engineer and Founder) of Carborem will talk about their innovative solutions and the valuable opportunities offered by participating in the Call4Circular x Greenthesis, an initiative promoted by the Circular Economy Lab.

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