April 30, 2025 15:19

Plastics Europe Germany, the association of German plastics producers, has announced the 12 finalists of the “Towards Zero” startup competition.

On Oct. 13, during K2025 in Düsseldorf, the selected companies will present their innovations aimed at closing the plastic loop, reducing emissions, and replacing fossil resources in production processes.
Many of the projects focus on polymer processing.

“The finalists of the startup competition represent every stage of the value chain, from plastics production, converting to machinery and recycling,” said Thomas Franken, director of the K Trade Fair and co-organizer of the pitch. “And that’s exactly what we need. The defossilization of the plastics industry can only succeed if all parts of the value chain work together.”

The 12 startups will compete in two categories, with short pitch presentations followed by a Q&A session.
In the morning of Oct. 13, the stage will be dedicated to the emerging newcomers:

• AES develops modular, scalable chemical recycling units that convert plastic waste into reusable oil right where it’s generated, eliminating the need for long-distance transportation.
• Coiss produces smart plug-and-play sensors to digitally retrofit existing machinery, helping to reduce downtime and cut energy consumption.
• Moldsonics offers ultrasonic sensors that make plastic machines more precise while reducing waste, energy, and material consumption.
• Osphim develops AI-powered software for plastics converters, helping manufacturers integrate more recyclates and lower energy consumption, even in complex applications.
• Radicaldot enables energy-efficient chemical recycling to produce basic chemicals from plastic waste that partially replace fossil raw materials in plastics production.
• S1seven offers solutions for digital material passports that provide transparency on the origin, composition, and carbon footprint of plastics, enabling high-quality recycling.

In the afternoon, the spotlight will shift to the “Big Fish,” startups that have already brought their solutions to market:

• Carbon Minds provides data-driven insights into emissions from plastic production, helping companies reduce their environmental footprint.
• Eco2Grow enables small and medium-sized enterprises to purchase affordable green electricity at fixed rates, directly from producers, just like major customers.
• MacroCycle operates energy-efficient chemical recycling facilities that enable infinite PET recycling without any degradation in quality.
• Paques Biomaterials produces biodegradable plastics from various organic waste streams to replace fossil raw materials.
• Polymerize uses an AI-powered platform to speed up research and development in materials science and improve outcomes in plastic product design and performance.
• Sykell develops ERP software to support circular business models by enabling the efficient return and reuse of packaging and materials.

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