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Global innovation spotlight: Denmark

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week we are heading to Denmark…

Denmark Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 9th

Climate targets: Reduce emissions by 70 per cent in 2030 compared to 1990, carbon neutrality by 2050

Sustainability issues

Agricultural emissions – In a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, Denmark’s agricultural sector will account for 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In response, the government has set ambitious emission reduction targets for the sector, and has earmarked €150 million to advance plant-based foods.

Greenwashing – Denmark is a sustainability leader, and 79 per cent of Danish people think that climate change is humanity’s biggest challenge. These green values have led companies to increasingly add environmental claims to their advertising. This has led to fears of greenwashing and plans for tighter regulation of green marketing.

Air pollution – Denmark scores comparatively well for air pollution compared to the majority of countries, yet air quality is nonetheless an issue. The country’s average air quality is 1.9 times the annual level set by the World Health Organization and approximately 6,000 Danes die from air pollution each year.

Sector specialisms

Hardware and IoT
Energy and environment
Ecommerce and retail

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from Denmark

USING COMPUTER VISION TO MONITOR HOSPITAL WARDS

In countries such as the UK, health and social care workforce shortages are reaching crisis proportions. Each day brings a new report of staff shortages and their implications for patient care. While it can’t replace staff, a Danish health tech startup is developing technology to ensure staff are being deployed as efficiently as possible. The company, Teton.ai, has developed a system that uses computer vision to track patient movements and alert staff when patients are at risk of falling or need other types of assistance. Read more

EMPOWERING ALL COMPANIES TO PROCURE GREEN ENERGY

In this time of energy price rises, many businesses are finding their energy bills rocketing. Now, climate tech startup Reel is working to change the way businesses procure electricity by offering a way for companies to buy green electricity on commercially attractive terms. Reel’s solution is based on a type of renewable energy contract called a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Usually the preserve of large companies, Reel is making PPAs available to smaller businesses. Read more

CREATE-YOUR-OWN SOAP BRAND USES ALL ORGANIC INGREDIENTS AND MINIMAL PACKAGING

Created to reduce waste in the cosmetics industry, CustomiseMe soap uses all organic ingredients in its made-to-order production. The company reduces waste by producing orders individually by hand and by using recycled and recyclable materials in its shipping packaging. Soaps are made using the cold press technique which involves a four-week curing process. Read more

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

8th September 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

By Zarkon Group,05/09/2022

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week we are heading to the Netherlands…

The Netherlands Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 6th

Climate targets: 49 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, 95 per cent reduction by 2050

Sustainability issues

Nitrogen pollution – The Netherlands sits behind only the United States as an agricultural exporter. Heavy fertiliser use and large numbers of livestock have led to high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and water. In response, the Dutch government has introduced ambitious nitrogen pollution reduction targets which have, in turn, sparked protests by farmers.

Noise pollution – Noise pollution is an underappreciated problem in Europe. The European Environment Agency, estimates that long-term exposure to environmental noise causes 12,000 premature deaths each year. Around Amersterdam’s Schiphol Airport, noise pollution has become such a concern that it has led to plans to reduce the airport’s capacity by 20 per cent.

Plastic pollution – Plastic pollution is an important concern for the Dutch public with one survey finding that 71 per cent of people in the Netherlands support a ban on single-use plastic. But a recent study from the University of Leiden found that 13 kilotonnes of plastic from the Netherlands end up in the oceans each year.

Sector specialisms

Foodtech
Energy and environment
Fintech

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from the Netherlands

HELPING COMMERCIAL KITCHENS MANAGE FOOD WASTE

According to one report, as much as half a pound of food is wasted for every restaurant meal, including from kitchen waste and what’s left on customers’ plates. While some of this can’t be helped (peels, rinds, food that has gone off), there is a lot of scope for improvement. That is the goal of Dutch startup Orbisk, which has developed a computer vision-based system that helps food service operators identify and cut down on waste. Read more

RECYLED BRICKS TACKLE WASTE AND EMISSIONS

According to the UN Environmental Programme, the construction industry accounts for around 11 per cent of total global carbon emissions. Now, Dutch startup StoneCycling is hoping to make a dent in this figure with bricks made from recycled construction debris. The company currently makes recycled bricks containing 60 per cent waste, and in the future expects to bring that figure up to 100 per cent. Read more

QUICK-GROWING CULTURED MEAT SAVES WATER AND REDUCES EMISSIONS

Grown from cells taken from unharmed animals, Meatable’s meat is identical in every way to traditionally farmed animal meat with a significant exception – the production process. The harvested cells are used to replicate the natural process of fat and muscle growth in a process that takes only a few weeks. By contrast, it takes around three years for a cow to grow to a point where it can be slaughtered. Read more

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

2nd September 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Hungary – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,20/08/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Hungary

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. Ahead of St. Stephen’s Day, we are celebrating three exciting innovations from Hungary…

Hungary Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 34th

Climate targets: A 40 per cent reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2030 , achieve climate neutrality by 2050

Sustainability issues

Air pollution – Hungary has among the highest levels of particulate matter air pollution in the OECD. In 2021, the EU’s top court found that Hungary has systematically breached EU limits on particulate matter pollution, for as long as 12 years in some regions. And the European Environment Agency attributed 13,100 premature deaths in Hungary to air pollution in 2018.

Water pollution – Hungary is home to Lake Balaton – the largest lake in Central Europe. It is an important site for migratory birds and has become a major tourist destination in recent years. However, one academic believes might become unfit for bathing in 10-15 years due to deteriorating water quality. Although, today, the waters are relatively clean, the most polluted parts of the lake are prone to frequent algal blooms.

Energy security – Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian natural gas imports. It is therefore vulnerable to price hikes and dislocations caused by the current conflict in Ukraine. In response, the government has loosened restrictions on logging in order to meet surging demand for firewood, sparking protests in the nation’s capital.

Sector specialisms

Education
Foodtech
Transportation

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from Hungary

INDOOR COMPOSTING ROBOT REDUCES URBAN FOOD WASTE

Many towns, villages, and cities don’t have the infrastructure in place to manage a community-wide composting system. Food therefore continues to end up in landfill, especially in areas where room for gardening is scarce. Hungarian startup Compocity’s solution is to bring composting indoors with a smart system called the CompoBot. Read more

A THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM REDUCES ENERGY COSTS AND EMISSIONS

Nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings are the result of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Buildings, in turn, account for 39 per cent of energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions. In response, buildings are increasingly fitted with thermal energy storage systems that smooth and optimise heating and cooling throughout the day. Traditionally, these systems work by changing the temperature of water in huge tanks that are expensive and inefficient. This could be set to change, however. Read more

RE-PURPOSING NATURAL GAS PIPELINES TO TRANSPORT HYDROGEN

Natural gas will be phased out of the energy mix as the world transitions to renewable energy. But what is to be done with all the gas infrastructure once this happens? At the same time, hydrogen, one of the most promising clean fuels for the future, currently lacks infrastructure for storage or transportation. This raises an intriguing possibility – what if existing natural gas infrastructure was used to transport hydrogen? Hungary’s natural gas network operator FGSZ, is exploring this option with risk and assurance company DNV Group. Read more

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

19th August 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: India – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,15/08/2022

Global innovation spotlight: India

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. Ahead of independence day, we are celebrating three exciting innovations from India…

India innovation facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 46th

Climate targets: A 45 per cent reduction in emissions intensity from the 2005 level by 2030, net zero by 2070

Sustainability issues:

Coal use – Only the US and China have higher greenhouse gas emissions than India, and the country is the world’s second-largest producer, consumer, and importer of coal. India is particularly reliant on coal for power generation, with the fossil fuel accounting for 75 per cent of annual electricity generation.

Cooking fuels – Despite government initiatives to promote the use of liquified petroleum gas, many rural Indian’s lack access to modern, clean cooking fuels, relying instead on solid fuels. The smoke created by burning solid fuels for cooking and other household activities is the largest source of ambient air pollution in India, contributing to ill-health and early death.

Water pollution – As India’s population grows and the country becomes increasingly urban, waterways are being put under unprecedented strain. And the situation is becoming critical with estimates suggesting that 70 per cent of the country’s surface water is not fit for human consumption.

Sector specialisms

E-commerce
Fintech
Mobility

Source: Startup Universal

Three exciting innovations from India

CHARCOAL-FREE INCENSE MADE FROM WASTE FLOWERS

Each year, millions of tonnes of flowers are left as offerings at Indian temples. For religious reasons, these offerings can’t be thrown into landfills, so they end up in rivers. The flowers are often covered in pesticides, toxic metals, and insecticides, and once they reach the water, the chemicals wash off, creating toxic compounds that suppress oxygen levels and threaten marine life. Startup Phool is addressing this problem by turning the discarded temple flowers into incense and other products, providing hundreds of jobs for local women. Read more

ECO-FRIENDLY SOUND-PROOFING MADE FROM SEAWEED

Most of the acoustic materials that can cancel out sound are made from plastic foams that aren’t easily recycled. Moreover, current alternative options are made from plant fibres that don’t effectively dampen noise in the most useful range of sound frequencies, or are too thick or unwieldy to fabricate. Now, researchers have created a biodegradable seaweed-derived film that effectively absorbs sounds. Read more

URBAN FLYOVER CONVERTED INTO PLAYFUL COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE

Unlit, unused, dirty, and often unsafe locations are almost always easy to find in a city. Imagine, instead, how much beauty could be brought into the world if those underutilised spaces were multi-use community hubs. Mumbai architects StudioPOD, along with Dutch designers MVRDV, turned that idea into reality with the One Green Mile development directly below the Senapati Bapat Marg flyover in Mumbai. Read more

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

12th August 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Belgium – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,24/07/202212/08/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Belgium

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. To celebrate the Belgian National Day yesterday, we are celebrating three exciting innovations from Belgium…

Belgium innovation facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 22nd

Climate targets: reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Belgian territory by at least 80-95 per cent by 2050 compared to 1990

Sustainability issues

Water stress – Belgium hit the headlines as a result of devastating floods. But despite this sudden influx of water, the country has actually been struggling with water scarcity. Lifestyle factors are partly to blame with the average Belgian using 7,400 litres per day, over double the global average.

Air pollution – As with many European countries, air pollution is a key issue in Belgium, with 98.4 per cent of the population exposed to pollution levels above World Health Organization limits. And a recent citizen-led air quality project found large disparities in air quality between richer and poorer areas.

Pesticide contamination – Pesticide contamination is a particular issue in Belgium. One study from the Pesticide Action Network found Belgium to have the highest level of toxic pesticides in the EU. The data, collected by over 30 European agencies between 2011 and 2019, found that one in three fruits in Belgium is contaminated by pesticides harmful to human health.

Sector specialisms

Marketing and sales
Health
Social and leisure

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from Belgium

SMALL TURBINES TURN ALMOST ANY RIVER INTO A HYDROELECTRIC POWER SOURCE

Rivers and canals that have mostly been overlooked as sources of renewable energy could begin providing enough power for an entire community. Belgian company Turbulent has developed vortex turbines that are small enough for use in almost any river or canal. Called Living Rivers, the systems of turbines all have impellers that move at a low enough speed to allow marine life to pass safely through the entire structure. Read more.

A HI-TECH FACTORY SUPPORTS CIRCULAR MUSHROOM PRODUCTION

Mushrooms are not only tasty – they are in demand. In 2020, the global mushroom market produced 14.35 million tonnes of fungi, but this figure is forecast to reach 24.05 million tonnes by 2028. And the growth of vegetarian and vegan diets is whetting consumers’ appetites for exotic mushrooms in particular, with varieties such as shiitake and oyster growing in popularity. How can this demand be met sustainably? Belgian urban farm Eclo is using recycled organic waste as a substrate for growing exotic mushrooms. Read more.

USING OLD ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES TO STORE EXCESS SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY

As the world increasingly turns to renewable energy sources, the need for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions is bigger than ever. That’s why Belgian startup Octave has designed a battery energy storage system (BESS) for stationary energy applications. The system is particularly innovative as it is made from the discarded batteries of electric cars. The development is timely given that Europe alone is expecting 30 million electric cars to be rolling off forecourts by 2030. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

22nd July 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Canada – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,08/07/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Canada

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. To celebrate Canada day last week, we are celebrating three exciting Canadian innovations…

Canada Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 16th

Climate targets: cut emissions by at least 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, net zero by 2050

Sustainability issues

Oil sands extraction – The Alberta oil sands are the world’s third largest proven oil reserve, and Canada is the largest exporter of oil to the US. Oil sand extraction causes heavy metal pollution and emissions of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, and is a particularly energy and water intensive method of producing oil.

Road salt pollution – Canada uses around 5 million tonnes of road salt each year to tackle the country’s treacherously icy driving conditions. This heavy-use of salt has a negative environmental impact, most obviously on vegetaion lining the sides of major roads, but also on aquatic life.

Air pollution – As in many other countries, air pollution is one of the biggest environmental factors impacting human health in Canada. Poor air quality is linked to 15,300 premature deaths per year in the country, as well as environmental impacts including acid rain and reduced plant growth.

Sector specialisms

Marketing and sales
Software and data
Energy and environment
Hardware and IoT
Foodtech
E-commerce and retail
Fintech

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from Canada

COMFORTABLE OFFICE CLOTHING MADE FROM USED FISHING NETS

One effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that many of those working from home got used to spending the working day clothed in loungewear – or even pyjamas. Many of those returning to the office have found themselves thinking wistfully back to a time of wearing comfortable clothes. This is the thinking behind Lezé the Label, an entire brand created around loungewear that is comfortable enough to be worn at home and chic enough for the office or an outing. And the twist? The clothing is made using sustainable materials such as recycled fishing nets, sustainably sourced beech trees, and coffee waste. Read more.

INDIGENOUS-OWNED BEAUTY BRAND MAKES TOXIC LIP GLOSS TO HIGHLIGHT CLEAN WATER CRISIS

For June’s Indigenous History Month, Cheekbone Beauty launched a social-driven ‘#GlossedOver’ campaign with the help of agency Sid Lee. As part of the campaign, Cheekbone Beauty is releasing a line of lip gloss made using water from Indigenous communities in Canada. The twist? The lipgloss cannot actually be sold because the water is so contaminated. Read more.

MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) look set to play a crucial role in the future of energy as the world transitions away from fossil fuels. Found in everything from electric vehicles to smartphones and computers, these batteries have several downsides when it comes to environmental impact. One of the biggest things we can do to mitigate their impact is to invest in effective recycling technologies. Canadian company Li-Cycle has developed a two-step battery recycling process that recovers 95 per cent of critical materials, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

8th July 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: United States

By Zarkon Group,02/07/2022

Global innovation spotlight: United States

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. To celebrate the Fourth of July, we are heading to the States to celebrate the exciting innovations coming out of the world’s largest economy…

USA Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 3rd

Climate targets: 50-52 per cent reduction in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030 (compared to 2005), net-zero emissions by no later than 2050

Sustainability issues

Greenhouse gas emissions – The US has the second-highest total CO2 emissions in the world behind only China. Moreover, the country also has very high CO2 emissions per capita, as well as the fourth highest methane emissions. The good news is that annual US CO2 emissions have fallen steadily over the past decade.

Soil contamination – A recent report found that around 20 million acres of farmland have been contaminated with PFAS. PFAS is a shorthand term for a group of chemicals that make products resistant to heat, water, and strain. Known as ‘forever chemicals’ these substances have been linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, liver problems, birth defects, and immunosuppression.

Air pollution – According to the latest ‘State of the Air’ report by the American Lung Association, despite decades of progress on cleaning up sources of air pollution, more than 40 per cent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particulate matter. The 2022 edition of the report found 2.1 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to 2021.

Sector specialisms

Ecommerce and retail
Education
Energy and environment
Foodtech
Marketing and sales
Social and leisure
Health
Software and data

Source: StartupBlink

Three exciting innovations from the USA

ALGAE-GROWN LIMESTONE COULD BE THE KEY TO ‘CARBON NEGATIVE’ CEMENT PRODUCTION

The current process for creating portland cement—one of the world’s most common building materials—consists of heating limestone to high temperatures. Today, limestone for cement production is quarried. As a result, the heating process releases carbon that would otherwise be locked away in the earth into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. This has a significant effect on global warming. But what if there was another way to produce limestone? Read more.

Photo source Anastasiia Krutota on Unsplash

A PLATFORM CONNECTS UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WITH US SPONSORS

Since the start of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, people around the world have been welcoming refugees fleeing the conflict. In the US, the ‘Uniting for Ukraine’ programme offers Ukrainians a pathway to permanent residency if they are sponsored by a US citizen. Launched on World Refugee Day, a new platform called Welcome Connect makes it easy for US citizens to connect with Ukrainian refugees who lack an existing connection to a sponsor. Read more.

OFF-GRID HYDROGEN GENERATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ON-DEMAND POWER

Although relatively expensive to produce at present, and with storage often cited as a concern, green hydrogen fuel production is increasing. A naturally occurring and superabundant element, hydrogen is popular for several reasons, including the ability to produce it using renewable energy sources. And now, Element 1’s modular, grid-independent hydrogen generation technology is making the fuel even more accessible. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

1st July 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,11/06/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week, we’ve headed to Central America…

Mexico Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 55th

Climate targets: by 2030, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent and black carbon emissions by 51 percent over a business-as-usual scenario.

Sustainability challenges:

Air pollution – Air pollution kills almost 33,000 people per year in Mexico according to the World Bank. And poor air quality is exacerbated by the country’s high rate of urbanisation. Seventy-eight per cent of Mexico’s population live in the country’s highly motorised cities. Forecasts suggest there could be 6.5 million vehicles in Mexico City alone by 2030.

Water scarcity – Parts of Mexico are highly susceptible to water shortages and climate change is believed to be worsening the threat of drought. In 2021 a fifth of the country experienced extreme drought conditions compared to an average of just 5 per cent for each year between 2012 and 2020.

Avocado production – The world has seen a boom in demand for avocados in recent years. And five out of ten avocados produced globally come from Mexico’s Michoacán region. Avocado cultivation is extremely water-intensive and is responsible for 30-40 per cent of recent deforestation in Michoacán.

Sector specialisms:

Fintech
Logistics
Mobility

Source: Startup Universal

Three exciting innovations from Mexico

Photo source Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS MESSAGING AND CONNECTIVITY WITHOUT DATA OR WIFI

The internet has become so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us can’t envision life without it. However, there are still many parts of the world where internet access is unavailable or unreliable. Mexican startup Bridgefy is on a mission to connect users even without internet access. It does this by leveraging other nearby smartphones’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas to create a mesh network that connects devices within a 330-foot range. Read more.

FOOD ADDITIVES MADE FROM AQUATIC PLANTS COULD REDUCE THE NEED FOR FERTILISER

According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, agriculture is the biggest source of water pollution. This is largely due to the excess nutrients from fertilisers that run off from fields into rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater sources. One solution is to use less fertiliser or to grow food that does not require fertiliser. The latter is the direction being taken by microTERRA, a startup that grows the aquatic plant lemna, or duckweed, for use as an ingredient in plant-based foods. Read more.

CIRCULAR PRODUCTION PROCESS USES INDUSTRIAL FRUIT WASTE FOR VEGAN LEATHER

The development of vegan leather that looks and feels like the most luxurious animal leather, is a major goal for designers. Startup Polybion specialises in organic, vegan leather made in a closed-loop production process. The company uses local sources of industrial fruit waste as the basis for its material and has already identified additional waste streams should demand grow. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

10th June 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: United Kingdom

By Zarkon Group,02/06/2022

Global innovation spotlight: United Kingdom

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week, to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee, we’ve headed to the United Kingdom…

Global Innovation Index ranking: 4th

Climate targets: reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, net zero by 2050

Sustainability issues

Air Pollution – Nearly every home in the UK is exposed to levels of air pollution that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Ninety-seven per cent of homes are exposed to pollution levels that breach the guidelines for at least one of the three main pollutants, with 70 per cent exposed to levels that breach the limit for all three. The UK’s own legal limits are set much higher than the WHO Guidelines, but many urban areas still exceed even these thresholds.

Noise pollution – After air pollution, noise causes the second-highest pollution-related burden of disease in Western Europe. One study has estimated the medical cost of noise-related hypertension and associated conditions in the UK to be £1.09 billion per year. And the number of people in England exposed to road and railway traffic noise exceeding WHO guidelines is 11.5 million and 1.5 million respectively.

Antimicrobial resistance – Antimicrobial drug-resistant infections are becoming more common in the UK as they are elsewhere in the world. And antibiotic-resistant bacteria were estimated to cause 2,228 deaths in the UK in 2020. In the past drug-resistant infections were considered a problem for hospitals, but increasingly patients are acquiring resistant infections from the wider environment.

Sector specialisms

Fintech
Deep tech
Impact tech

Source: Tech Nation

Three exciting innovations from the UK

A PORTABLE EV CHARGER TO ELIMINATE RANGE ANXIETY

One fear for many electric vehicle (EV) owners is the thought of running out of juice miles from the nearest plug. Now, startup ZipCharge is poised to eliminate range anxiety with their ZipCharge Go portable charger. The company describes the Go as a ‘flexible and convenient charging solution’ for those without easy access to fixed charging points. ZipCharge plans to offer the Go on a subscription service, starting at £49 a month. It will also offer the device for sale at around the same cost as a fully-installed home charging port. Read more.

Photo source Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

ELECTRIFICATION OF HEATING PROCESSES COULD ELIMINATE UP TO 30 PER CENT OF INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS

The bulk of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions from industry are caused by just three sectors: petrochemicals and chemicals, iron and steel, and cement production. The reason these industries are so emissions-intensive is that they involve processes that require extremely high temperatures. Technology developed by academics at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, and the University of Ghent in Belgium, uses electricity from renewable sources to achieve process temperatures of up to 1700 degrees Celsius – sufficient to replace fossil fuel burning in processes where electrification was previously impossible. Read more.

AN ALGAE-POWERED MICROPROCESSOR COULD BE USED FOR IOT DEVICES

By 2035 there are expected to be one trillion Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices. Finding the most effective and sustainable way to power all these devices is a key challenge for innovators and researchers alike. Algae are one potential power source, and researchers from the University of Cambridge recently put it to the test. Algae naturally harvest energy from the sun through photosynthesis, producing a tiny electrical current that can power a microprocessor. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

1st June 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Singapore – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,27/05/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Singapore

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week, we’ve headed to Southeast Asia…

Singapore Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 8th

Climate targets: reduce GHG emissions intensity by 36% by 2030 (compared to 2005), net zero by 2050

Sustainability challenges

Dependence on food imports – Over 90 per cent of the food consumed in Singapore is imported. This not only incurs carbon emissions from transportation – it also makes the city-state vulnerable to supply problems and price hikes.

Waste management – Despite its reputation for cleanliness and investment in waste management, Singapore faces unique challenges when it comes to waste. Recycling rates are low, and more than 40 per cent of rubbish produced by the city-state is incinerated.

Energy security – Around 95 per cent of Singapore’s domestic electricity is generated from imported natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel, and Singapore’s reliance on imports makes it vulnerable to high energy prices. In response, the government recently announced targets to import around 30 per cent of the country’s electricity from low-carbon sources by 2035.

Sector specialisms

Deep tech
E-commerce
Fintech

Source: Startup Universal

Three exciting innovations from Singapore

A BATTERY SWAP STARTUP TURNS PETROL-POWERED MOTORBIKES INTO EVS

In Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia between 83 and 87 per cent of households own motorbikes. Despite being smaller than cars, the sheer numbers of these vehicles on the road contribute to ongoing air pollution problems in many urban areas. Seeking to change that, startup Oyika has created a battery swapping service that turns petrol-powered motorbikes into electric vehicles (EVs). Read more.

A CSR PLATFORM ENABLES COMPANIES TO CHOOSE AND TRACK VERIFIED IMPACT PROJECTS

Singaporean startup Handprint is providing businesses with an easy way to improve their planetary impact. The Handprint platform offers companies a choice of pre-verified impact projects grouped into themes such as social justice, clean water, and deforestation. Each company can then choose to support the ones that best align with its brand and values. Software tools allow client companies to integrate contributions to those projects into core business processes such as e-commerce. Read more.

NANOFILTRATION REDUCES INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL SEPARATION EMISSIONS

An invisible polluter, industrial chemical separation is a necessity in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, oil refinement, and semiconductor and vegetable oil production. The process of separating chemicals for commercial and industrial accounts for up to 15 per cent of the world’s energy use. In response, Singapore-based Seppure has built a membrane capable of separating even the harshest chemicals at the molecular level without using heat. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

27th May 2022

Reference

global

Global innovation spotlight: Denmark

Denmark Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Denmark

Global innovation spotlight: The Netherlands

The Netherlands Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from the Netherlands

Global innovation spotlight: Hungary

Hungary Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Hungary

Global innovation spotlight: India

India innovation facts

Three exciting innovations from India

Global innovation spotlight: Belgium

Belgium innovation facts

Three exciting innovations from Belgium

Global innovation spotlight: Canada

Canada Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Canada

Global innovation spotlight: United States

USA Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from the USA

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico

Mexico Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Mexico

Global innovation spotlight: United Kingdom

Three exciting innovations from the UK

Global innovation spotlight: Singapore

Singapore Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Singapore

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