It has been clear for a long time that the economy needs to become greener. That’s why these five startups from Augsburg have developed ways to make products and services more sustainable.
In Germany, the transport sector is the problem child when it comes to CO2 emissions. While greenhouse gas emissions are declining in many other areas, more and more people are driving cars, which eats up the savings made through efficiency gains. That’s why many cities increasingly want to push cars out of downtown areas. Public transport, bicycles and e-bikes are to replace it. But when the weather gets colder and wetter, as it has just done, even die-hard bike fans are sure to wonder what it would be like to ride with a mobile roof over their heads.
This problem is solved by Hopper Mobility, which has developed a mixture of e-bike and car. The two-seater with roof and trunk falls into the category of pedelec and is therefore allowed to travel on bike paths without license plates and insurance. The Hopper is powered by pedals and an electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, just like an e-bike. The trunk holds up to 220 liters – about as much as a VW Up! and thus enough space for a week’s shopping. From 2023, the Hopper is to be mass-produced.
The smartphone case that reduces plastic waste in Bali
Oceanmata’s compostable smartphone covers have long been in series production. The start-up wants to fight a worldwide problem with this and collects at least one kilogram of plastic waste per shell sold in Bali. Oceanmata founder Dominic Karl was so shocked by the amount of plastic waste during a surfing vacation that he is now working with the team of a local recycling station and financing it through Oceanmata.
A disinfectant made from water, salt and energy
In a perfect world, there would be no plastic waste and significantly less meat consumption – but the perfect world is one thing. Green Vision Solutions offers the disinfectant proton-IQ, which is approved for the treatment of drinking water, so that the animals become less ill during breeding. When it was used to clean pipes and troughs, the number of sick animals dropped significantly. proton-IQ is produced using a special electrolysis process and is harmless to humans. It can also be used to disinfect wastewater, swimming pools or even air. In addition, the start-up sells systems with which, for example, care facilities can produce their own disinfectant directly in-house.
Sustainable Streetwear
Already a fixture in the region and beyond is Degree Clothing. The fashion label produces fairly and sustainably in Germany and Portugal, using cotton that has not been artificially fertilized or treated with synthetic pesticides. Another start-up from the Degree cosmos is Fairtye, which produces hair elastics without plastic content.
Data helps save energy
There is so much potential for savings in everyday operations, but it often goes unrealized simply because you overlook it or aren’t sure it will pay off financially. To solve this problem, avanera has developed software that makes hotels more efficient. How best to save water and energy, or how to avoid throwing food away? The software answers these questions individually for each hotel.
Sustainability cannot be achieved by saving and doing without alone, it also needs innovative alternatives that make our lives not more complicated but ideally simpler than the conventional alternative. In the process, these and many other startups are helping you on your way to a better world.