Green start-ups.NRW

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative, fully electric and automated freight container robot (so-called swap body container) that improves efficiency, safety and sustainability when transporting swap body containers in logistics terminals. By implementing the fully electric system as a replacement for the currently dominant diesel-powered swap body trucks, as well as by optimizing transport algorithms, CO2 emissions can be reduced. The project aims to validate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of this innovative solution.

Insect larvae can convert organic residues into high-quality insect protein that can be used as animal feed. As part of the RetroFly project, a production system is to be developed and piloted that enables existing infrastructure to be converted for the reproduction of soldier fly larvae.

The aim of the project is to develop and implement a mobile, hybrid, scalable and intelligent power supply system for mobile energy provision and the intelligent networking of loads, grids and storage systems.

The agricultural industry faces the challenge of reducing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers while maintaining or even optimizing high yields. It also has to deal with the challenges of climate change. A promising approach in pesticide protection and plant growth is the use of biosurfactant-based enhancers. The project aims to create a platform for bio-based biosurfactants in the field of plant protection and growth.

The project aims to develop a highly efficient and robust pilot plant for the capture of CO2 (Direct Air Capture, DAC), using an existing pilot plant based on existing prototypes and a process patented at the University of Duisburg-Essen to develop and demonstrate the technology to the limits of commercial use.

The aim of the project is to systematically consider and optimize the requirements of floating photovoltaic systems with regard to hydrological conditions. The development goal is the prototype of an innovative overall system for floating photovoltaic systems that enables renewable energy to be fed directly and economically into the public grid.

The ENERsyte project aims to develop comprehensive digital decision support for municipal heat planning. The aim is to complete the technical part of the process after just six months, thereby reducing the overall duration by up to six months.

The start-up Shards GmbH develops tiles from construction waste that completely dispense with the use of primary raw materials and dyes and are therefore aimed at the growing "green buildings" market. The project aims to develop the prototype of an industrial production line for the tiles.

The aim of the project is to use a disruptive approach to supply fresh, mixed vegetable crates autonomously and energy self-sufficiently on a spot-farming area every day and to carry out all plant cultivation processes precisely and individually, from soil cultivation to harvesting.

The main aim of the project is to automate the disassembly of battery packs using a prototype that combines advanced hardware and software. A workstation is used for disassembly, in which an automatic and robot-assisted handling system is housed. The prototype combines innovation from the fields of robotics and mechanical engineering.

The aim of the project is to test a sealable barrier coating based on natural waxes and resins for food packaging. Various cellulose substrates (paper, cardboard, cast fiber) are to be coated for this purpose. This prototype production will be flanked by ongoing customization development that takes into account the different surface textures and absorption capacities.

The project enables the energy self-sufficient measurement of inflow loads of wastewater treatment plants and water quality parameters by using a microbial fuel cell. The parameters obtained can be used for the operational optimization of wastewater treatment plants. As a result, plants can be optimized in terms of energy and greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide can be minimized.

The project aims to develop an innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable software solution for training AI models. It is based on previously developed training methods that are based on biological principles and emulate electrical circuits. The method makes it possible to reduce the computational effort, increase the accuracy of AI models and also use AI on resource-limited devices.

The aim of the project is to develop and test a prototype for an innovative modular machine system that produces environmentally friendly energy converters and energy storage systems. This will be done using the example of a system for assembling lithium-ion pouch cells.

The aim of the project is to enable machine manufacturers to manage their machines digitally on a platform in future and to be able to map the ecological footprint of the machine along the value chain. This will improve sustainability and also generate economic added value.

The project is aimed at technical innovation for plasticizing units of injection moulding machines in order to significantly reduce energy requirements. To this end, a new type of heating technology (thick-film heater) is to be used instead of ceramic cylinder heating bands.

With MycoMatch, Mycolever is developing a bioinformatics platform that enables the identification of fungal metabolites and proteins from previously unused fungal microorganisms. These have the potential to enable the transformation from a petrochemical-based to a bio-based industry.

The FiberRob project is developing the prototype of a highly flexible modeling process and manufacturing system for the resource-saving additive manufacturing of lightweight components reinforced with continuous fibers.

The aim of the project is to develop a paint prototype that consists of 50% bio-based raw materials.

The aim of the project is the production-related research, development and testing of a prototype test facility for the serial prefabrication of modular, ready-to-install PV power plants for installation in railroad tracks.

The aim of the project is to develop a green, digital twin for the metalworking industry. "GreenGemini" automates the creation of a life cycle assessment for each component produced and supports the identification of ecological optimization potential. The aim is to improve the sustainability performance of companies and tap into potential for increasing efficiency.

The aim of the project is to further develop pre-codification as a process technology for sodium-ion batteries in order to enable commercial application in battery production in the long term.

The DLR (German Aerospace Center) project for the commercial product development of an innovative lithium-sulphur battery is to be continued as part of this project.

The aim of the project is to develop a new type of solar cell whose efficiency is to be increased to over 30%. By utilizing physical effects (tunnel effect, quantum well effect), significantly higher efficiencies are to be achieved compared to conventional Si solar cells.

The flex-X-cell developed by start-up FXC Engineering GmbH plays a key role in the development of sustainable electrochemical processes. A new additive manufacturing process is intended to improve production and expand the design scope. The innovative, modular design enables customization and scalability for different applications. The new, flexible components developed for research and production can accelerate the transfer to use and industrial application of electrochemical processes.

The aim of the project is to develop, test and optimize a prototype for smart vertical indoor farming for the energy- and resource-efficient and regional production of fruit and vegetables in a completely closed environment. A modular building block system in the form of scalable, pluggable and stackable containers/boxes with combinable hydroponic technologies, in particular nutrient film technology and ebb and flow systems, LED lighting systems and sensor and automation modules, is being used for this purpose.

The aim of the project is to develop a construction method for the serial production of modular residential buildings with a deconstructable building structure made of reusable, recyclable or ecological building materials plus a modular system for modular residential complexes, as well as the construction and testing of a fully-fledged prototype house.

The aim of the project is to develop a uniform standard for a sustainable, digitalized waste and recyclables management system. This is scalable to all hospitals with different structures. By using this system, hospitals save on disposal costs and contribute to climate protection by reducing waste volumes.

Aeroc is planning to scale up Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Germany in order to actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere and thus contribute to the fight against anthropogenic climate change.

The aim of the project is to set up and test a mobile plant for loading biochar with liquid nutrient solutions (both organic recycling fertilizers such as liquid fermentation residues or liquid manure and synthetic fertilizers).

As part of the project applied for, a computer-controlled machine tool (CNC machine) is to be expanded to include automated damage pattern recognition and the necessary repair measures are to be carried out automatically in the system on the scanned objects.