Iren Startup Award: Call4Circular | Circular products and materials

One of the biggest differences between the linear economy and the circular economy consists in the different method of waste processing: in the linear economic model, waste is produced and eliminated continuously, in the circular one waste is continuously recirculated for the benefit of society, the environment, of future generations, through models of reuse, maintenance, repair, reconstruction, and recycling.

In this context, Italy ranks first for the recycling of standard material flows (paper, plastic, glass, etc.) while expectations are very high as regards the development of "new" supply chains (such as rare earth, WEEE, precious metals), as well as the valorization of wastewater and purification sludge and digitization, the energy storage systems’ efficiency.

To be an active part of this change, the Iren Group has created the 2022 edition of the Iren Startup Award “Call4Circular | Circular products and materials”, a circular open innovation project created in collaboration with the Circular Economy Lab – an initiative by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory.

IREN GROUP

Iren is the leading multi-utility in the North West and one of the main Italian operators, active in the sectors of electricity, gas, district heating, management of integrated water and environmental services, integrated solutions for energy efficiency. An industrial group that believes in a sustainable development model capable of merging development and sustainability into a single value.

The Group's activities are carried out by companies organized into four business units: Networks, Environment, Energy, Market. The goal is to design growth for the various infrastructures in harmony with the communities and territories they serve: modern and efficient networks and systems, capable of reducing waste of natural resources and energy and respecting biodiversity. The utmost attention to people's needs is the principle that inspires the innovation of our offer, to grow together with customers.

Sustainable development, environmental protection and rational use of resources have always been at the heart of Iren's mission and growth strategy, due to the very nature of our business

Scouting

Call4Circular | Circular products and materials is aimed at Italian and international startups and innovative SMEs.

After an initial scouting phase of the applications received, the projects suitable for the development of a "use case" in collaboration with the Iren Group will be selected.

Area of Interest

ENVIRONMENT

Technologies for the recovery of precious metals, electronic cards, and rare earth. Asbestos separation and recycling technologies, fly ashes, and plastics

POWER

Utility-scale and residential energy storage technologies

WATER

Technologies for optimizing sludge management: stabilization, disposal, reuse, and recovery. Technologies for monitoring and predictive maintenance, identification of parasitic waters

HYDROGEN

Hydrogen production, storage and transportation technologie

APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINES

November 21 – January 27, 2023 | Scouting activities and collection of applications

January 28 - April 3, 2023 | Assessment activities and definition of startup-company collaboration use cases

April 2023 | Selection Day and startup-company POC development launch

Awards and project follow-up

Participation to Selection Day

Awards from partners

Iren awards winners

POC development with Iren

Partner