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Environment/sustainability

Environment/sustainability

Zapping weeds: RootWave’s herbicide-free weed control solution 

RootWave’s technology kills weeds using electricity, offering farmers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides. The eWeeding solution supports our transition towards a more sustainable agricultural industry, protecting the health of both people and the planet.

The rise and recalibration of sustainable agrifood investments: lessons for us all

There has been an unprecedented surge of investments in sustainable agriculture and food technologies in the last decade, but that trend now appears to have reversed into a free fall in funding. This pattern of promise-to-disillusionment perfectly matches the hype cycle previously demonstrated by breakthrough technologies in other sectors. Can we forge a path forward for sustainable agrifood start-ups?

Belgium’s ‘Positive for the Planet’ evolution through agritech

Our current food system is responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, extensive deforestation, unsustainable water usage, and an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Currently, the processes used to produce our food represent an obstacle to limiting average global temperature increases to the levels set out in the Paris Agreement. But are these damaging effects of our current food production landscape an unavoidable cost of feeding humanity or can smart investments in sustainable agritech be part of the solution?

Incorporating sustainability into healthcare

In a hospital, numerous single-use masks, gloves, syringes, and more are thrown away every day to safeguard patients. However, this linear supply chain leaves a large footprint and can have negative effects on our environment and public health. It seems that the road to achieving sustainable healthcare is not straightforward, but circular.

The ecological impact of offshore wind farms and sediment dynamics

The number of offshore wind farms in the North Sea is exponentially increasing. Their construction responds to the urgent need to transition to green energy production and carbon neutrality. The installation of these man-made structures has a notable impact on the marine ecosystem. Some positive impacts include providing a new home for various animals, and offering shelter, food, and breeding grounds. However, there have been observations of black sediment patches in the sampled sediments near the turbine foundations, suggesting a high input of organic matter into the sediment, altering natural biogeochemical processes.

Fermenting a more sustainable future

In the battle against the climate crisis, precision fermentation presents a hopeful aid. Using microbes to create valuable materials, we can help to transform the global economy and shift away from harmful agricultural and industrial practices. However, despite the support of industry and Venture Capital cash, this field still faces many challenges. Though promising, we need further investment in this innovative technology before it can fully deliver on its potential for sustainable solutions.

Nicky Deasy: how agrifood startups can help us tackle climate change

Nicky Deasy is Co-Founder and former Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Europe, one of the largest early-stage venture capital funds in the EU focused on the intersection of sustainability and agtech. Since stepping back from the day-to-day running of the fund, she is an Investment Committee Member at biotope by VIB, as well as advising a number of startups and investment funds focused on improving the environmental and carbon footprint of the agrifood industry. She shares her thoughts on how innovative ag- and food-tech startups can help us tackle climate change.

Brewing up a new business: AB InBev surprises with ambitions for animal-free proteins

Belgian-American AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, has set up a separate R&D division called BioBrew to develop animal-free proteins using precision fermentation. Quite a number of companies are already focused on producing alternative proteins, which don’t cause harm to animals and are more sustainable, but they generally lack the capacity to produce them on a commercial level. This is one of the things that sets BioBrew apart, thanks to AB InBev’s knowhow of using yeast fermentation on a large scale to make beer.

Energizing the transition: ACROBAT consortium devises smart and sustainable ways to recycle LFP batteries

Batteries are a crucial component of the energy transition away from fossil fuels, but the technology currently faces issues with sustainable recycling methods, which are vital for recuperating the rare raw materials inside the power cells. The European ACROBAT consortium, led by Flemish research center VITO, is tackling this issue specifically for LFP batteries – a type of lithium-ion batteries that are steadily growing in importance, including for electric cars.

We need more food and agtech start-ups – and we need them now!

How are we going to feed an expected 10 billion people by 2050 in a sustainable way? It is a daunting task. Our climate is changing, and a combination of environmental and economic factors are already resulting in widespread food shortages. There is no simple solution to this problem, but innovation in the food and agtech sector will help alleviate the burden. To make this possible, stakeholders – including researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and governments – need to make agrifood innovation a priority immediately.

VC opportunities for impact in the face of climate disaster

Venture capitalists have a vital role to play in guiding our planet’s future. By investing in technological advances that remediate environmental ruination, enable adaptation to new conditions, and heal challenging diseases, VC funds can help improve the world while also benefiting their bottom line. But there is an even bolder approach available to VCs who really want to do good: influencing governments by earmarking funds for advocacy groups.

Modern alchemy: turning microalgae into ‘green gold’

Much has been said about the huge economic potential of algae, but this ‘green gold’ has yet to meet expectations. The European project IDEA – led by Belgian research center VITO – is examining the economic benefits of microalgae and developing strategies to overcome remaining challenges. Interim results show that algae can very well be grown in the climate of Northwestern Europe and can be used to efficiently produce products such as healthy biscuits, animal feed and cosmetic applications.

New incubator biotope by VIB launches to support biotech startup teams on their journey to success

Imitating nature: H2WIN’s innovative solution enables production of green hydrogen

Belgian GreenTech company H2WIN has developed H2GREEN: an ingenious system to make hydrogen production 100% renewable, more efficient, less expensive, and less energy consuming. Based in Nivelles, H2WIN drew inspiration from nature’s own ancient methods of generating energy: photosynthesis. The company is currently looking for funding to finance the next steps towards industrial-scale production.

New GMOs on the horizon: say ‘cheese’!

To meet the challenges of climate change and global food demand, more VCs are investing in AgTech companies. A lot of these companies are using genetic modification to create better plant-based alternatives for animal products. One US company, Nobell Foods, is even developing casein-producing soybean plants that can be used to make plant-based cheese that tastes and melts like the real deal.