Valued at €25bn, the global insulation market is dominated by two groups of products: i) inorganic mineral wools (made from stone or glass), ii) fossil-based plastics, like polystyrene. However, these products are not recyclable/ biodegradable. In comes Finland-based Fiberwood, which produces 100% ecological insulation + packaging sheets, with a special foam-forming technology, using wood pulp & (wood industry) side streams (i.e. turning cheap feedstock into a high-value product). The firm’s foam-forming technology is said to be “more energy-efficient & use less water than similar processes in general”. Unlike those made with mineral wool, Fiberwood’s insulation sheets are breathable (can absorb & release moisture) + fire-resistant (as well as easy, safe & quick to install). Fiberwood’s...

Poland-based, NapiFeryn BioTech (NFB) has developed a (patented) process to obtain rapeseed proteins (Raptein®) from the side stream of (canola/ rapeseed) oil pressing. In doing so, NFB is able to transform a low-value/ widely available raw material into a high-value & quality protein, at an affordable price (as “20% of our raw material is made up protein”). NFB thus seeks to innovate in the "plant-based protein" market, beyond the usual crops like soy, wheat & peas (ps: for startups innovating in the "insect protein" market, see our coverage of Entocycle). The startup was able to test its tech (dubbed “Alseos”) with grant support from Horizon 2020 & will use the new funds to bring it...