Vok Bikes was founded by a team with experience in e-mobility and electric vehicle development. The company designs and manufactures four-wheeled electric cargo bikes aimed at improving urban delivery logistics. Operating in several European cities, Vok Bikes focuses on addressing challenges related to last-mile deliveries, including efficiency, speed, and the working conditions of couriers, while also considering the impact of transportation on city environments.

“We are thrilled to support a brand that is redefining electromobility,” said Mark Fones, CEO of SQM International Lithium. “Vok’s in-house 4Drive system and top-tier engineering approach have raised the bar by delivering reliability and ride quality on par with automotive standards.”

Built specifically for urban delivery, Vok’s vehicles offer a nimble, low-emission alternative to vans, with in-house technology like their 4Drive system delivering automotive-grade performance. As cities across Europe impose stricter emissions rules and face growing congestion, Vok positions itself as a right-sized, scalable alternative for last-mile logistics.

“Vans are a blunt tool for a precision job,” says Indrek Petjärv, CEO and co-founder of Vok Bikes. “Cities have changed, and Vok is designed for how they move today.”

In real-world tests, Vok outperformed vans by 44% in delivery speed and proved up to 64% more cost-effective over five years, due to savings on fuel, maintenance, and parking. Vok’s footprint already spans 14 countries, serving companies from local bakeries to major names like Wolt and IKEA, both of which have integrated Vok bikes into their operations.

With rising demand and increasing climate pressures, Vok is poised to redefine city transport — one emission-free delivery at a time.

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Steady Energy develops small modular nuclear reactors designed primarily for district heating applications. The company focuses on creating compact, heat-only reactors intended to provide a stable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based heating systems. Steady Energy’s technology aims to address regional energy needs by offering emission-free heat production with simplified design and safety features. The company is currently engaged in design development, regulatory assessments, and the construction of a pilot plant to validate its reactor concept. The company raised €22M a few months ago.

“Our mission is to make nuclear simple to provide affordable, emission-free heating without subsidies,” said Steady Energy’s CEO Tommi Nyman. “The smooth closure demonstrates investors’ trust in Steady Energy’s team and ability to deliver the world’s first commercial nuclear heating reactor by early 2030s.“

Steady Energy will use the funds to strengthen its team, accelerate design efforts, expand sales activities in Sweden and Poland, and build a pilot plant in the centre of Helsinki. The company has secured preliminary agreements for up to 15 reactors in Finland.

Major Finnish investors include LocalTapiola, a mutual insurance company, and Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment), a state-owned investment company.

“Steady Energy combines a skillful team with innovative technology that can be scaled commercially. For these reasons, we see significant potential for international growth in the company,” said Samppa Sirviö, Investment Manager at Tesi.

An investment by the Amsterdam-based venture capital firm Move Energy is among the new private equity.

“We are impressed with Steady Energy’s simple heat-only design which enables carbon-free, baseload heat production at an attractive cost. We believe that Steady Energy’s highly capable team, drawing on years of experience in the nuclear industry, is well positioned to bring this affordable SMR to market following the successful demonstration of a pilot plant”, said Move Energy’s Partner Frederik de Hosson.

 “Steady Energy’s proprietary solution offers firm, carbon-free power with walk-away passive safety features,” said Scott Tierney, Managing Partner at Valo Ventures and a new investor in Steady Energy. “They are making nuclear so simple it’s cost disruptive and scalable.”

Steady Energy previously announced reaching the round’s halfway target in March, led by 92 Ventures, now 92 Capital, a dedicated nuclear-focused fund consisting of technical and financial experts.

“Steady Energy has positioned itself as one of the most promising SMR companies in the game,” says Anatol Kjær Knudsen, Partner at 92 Capital. “We look forward to bringing additional experience and knowledge, enabling the company to reach its target of deploying the world’s first commercial heating SMR by 2030.

Majority of the funds will go towards constructing a full-scale, non-nuclear pilot plant at a recently decommissioned coal plant in Helsinki city center. Construction begins later in the year, and the pilot will physically demonstrate the LDR-50 reactor’s key safety features, well ahead of commercial deployment. Additionally, Steady Energy will use this opportunity to verify and stress-test supply chains. The project is led by Sweco, a leading engineering firm, which has contributed to every nuclear project in Finland over the past decades. This means Steady Energy gains detailed advance insight into steps required for the eventual commercial plant.

Steady Energy aims to reach ready-to-build phase by 2028. In June, it received a preliminary safety assessment from the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK, a globally esteemed regulator. STUK announced that the LDR-50 can be designed to fulfil Finnish nuclear safety standards.

The company’s growing team with over 250 years of nuclear experience is complemented with a Steady Energy-led network of 200 professionals that contributes to the design, including leading professionals from Fortum, VTT, Sweco, LUT University, Tractebel, Framatome, and Westinghouse.

“Because our reactor is small and simple, we can afford to rehearse at full scale before commercial deployment and proactively lower major risks traditionally responsible for delays and cost overruns in large-scale reactor projects.”, said Tommi Nyman. “By the time all permitting are due, engineering and logistics will have been proven and tried out. No other player can currently match this ability.”

Over 40 percent of global energy use is heat, and Steady Energy addresses an urgent need for hundreds of reactors in Europe alone from cities committed to net zero targets. Steady Energy’s shipping container-sized 50 MW reactor can also be used for cooling, industrial steam provision and desalination. The radically simple reactor delivers emission-free energy at a steady cost, running for 60 years practically without maintenance shutdowns. At around €100 million per reactor, Steady Energy’s SMR is investable and outcompetes all alternatives by a significant margin.

S2G is Echandia’s first U.S.-based investor, aligning with the company’s growing presence in North America, including its new production facility in Marysville, Washington. The investment will fund the scale-up of Echandia’s production capacity, accelerate its U.S. market presence, and advance R&D initiatives aimed at extending the performance and durability of its technology.

”This is a major milestone for Echandia and we are excited to accelerate our global expansion with S2G on board,” said Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia. ”S2G brings deep experience in maritime and energy system transitions, and we’re proud to have a mission-aligned partner supporting our growth. With North America serving as a critical growth region, we believe we’re well-positioned to help operators cut emissions and hedge against fuel price volatility, while enhancing vessel performance.”

Echandia’s advanced Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) battery systems are purpose-built for the unique demands of maritime operations, offering high safety, long lifespan, and low maintenance performance in heavy-duty environments where today’s conventional lithium-ion or diesel systems often fall short. Its technology powers a range of vessel types, including ferries, tugboats, RoRo/RoPax ships, and offshore workboats, enabling both fully electric and hybrid propulsion. Its customers include global system integrators like Siemens and ABB, as well as operators such as Molslinjen (Denmark) and WETA San Francisco.

Echandia’s revenue quadrupled in 2024 and is projected to triple again in 2025, driven by strong market demand and an expanding order pipeline. With pressure mounting from international regulations, such as the IMO’s carbon intensity targets, the EU Emissions Trading System, and tax reforms affecting maritime fuels, battery solutions like Echandia’s are increasingly seen as critical for achieving compliance and boosting vessel efficiency.

Echandia’s momentum in North America continues to grow. In 2024, the company was selected to supply battery systems for the San Francisco Bay Ferry’s REEF (Rapid Electric Emission Free) Program, which will deploy the first high-speed, zero-emission ferries in the U.S. Battery deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026.

”At S2G, we view electrification as one of the most immediate and scalable pathways to decarbonize a significant portion of the 100,000+ vessels that make up the global maritime fleet,” said Kate Danaher, Managing Director of S2G’s oceans strategy and member of Echandia’s board of directors. “Their team understands the complexities of the sector and is delivering practical, durable solutions at scale. We’ve seen that their technology is already proving itself in the field, and their growth trajectory reflects the urgency and opportunity in this space. We’re proud to support their expansion and help accelerate the transition to zero-emission maritime transport.”

The announcement coincides with the start of the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe, where Echandia is exhibiting at Hall 8, Stand 5020. Attendees are invited to meet the team and learn more about the next generation of marine battery systems.

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CloEE develops AI-powered software for discrete manufacturing. Its platform connects directly to industrial equipment, MES, and ERP systems to provide real-time analysis of operational performance. Designed for manufacturers seeking to improve equipment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize downtime, CloEE offers a plug-and-play solution that integrates with existing infrastructure. The company works with clients across multiple countries and focuses on data-driven approaches to process optimization and digital transformation in mid-sized and large-scale manufacturing environments.

“We are developing CloEE in direct response to manufacturers’ need for an affordable, truly plug-and-play solution,” said Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, CEO and Co-founder of CloEE. “While everyone is eager to adopt AI, the reality is that AI is only as good as the data it receives. CloEE solves this challenge by delivering seamless connectivity and applying advanced AI to analyze data directly from industrial machines. In our experience, 70% of manufacturers struggle to reach even 50% equipment efficiency, largely due to inadequate data collection and analysis. With CloEE, our customers quickly become our strongest advocates—our platform expanded across one of our clients’ facilities organically, without any extra sales effort. Currently, we’re piloting CloEE with a US customer operating 100 facilities, and we’re already in discussions for a three-year contract covering 10 of them.”

Tracking and optimizing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is essential to improving shop floor efficiency. Effective operations automation can increase productivity by 20-30% and reduce quality defects by 15-25%, directly linking productivity to profitability. Even small improvements – such as eliminating as little as 10% of equipment downtime – can yield significant gains without major investments.

Lead investor Miro Vertanen commented, “CloEE is leading the shift from outdated manufacturing processes to a new era of smart, data-driven operations, delivering real impact to the bottom line, especially as mid-sized enterprises in the US and beyond embrace digital transformation. We selected the CloEE team for their in-depth industry expertise and proven track record of driving large-scale digital transformation projects in the manufacturing industry. Their hands-on experience with over 100 IoT deployments, combined with their ability to execute at a fast pace, makes them exceptionally well-suited for international expansion.”

CloEE’s AI Platform goes further, integrating manufacturing equipment, MES, and ERP systems, providing actionable insights, benchmarking, and multilingual accessibility (e.g., works in Italian, Japanese, Finnish, etc.). Customers have seen up to $1 million in annual revenue growth, a 30% reduction in energy consumption, and a 95% reduction in emergency outages. In addition, the CloEE solution can be deployed on-premise, offline, or in the cloud in as little as two weeks, requiring no lengthy or costly implementation projects.

Andrea Beretta – Senior Director Sartup Operations & Investments at Cariplo Factory: “CloEE perfectly embodies the spirit of SkyDeck Berkeley Europe, Milano: robust technology, a visionary team, and strong international potential. Throughout the program, we witnessed their distinctive approach to industrial manufacturing evolve with both speed and precision. The organic adoption of their solution by major players like Hyundai clearly demonstrates their ability to deliver real, scalable impact.”

The global AI in manufacturing market reached approximately $5.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to soar to over $230 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of more than 44%. Rapid adoption of AI-powered automation, predictive maintenance, and quality control is driving this growth, with North America and Asia-Pacific leading in technology integration.

“At CloEE, we actively collaborate with universities and associations to understand the evolving challenges of manufacturing. Our goal is to build a truly user-friendly platform for the next generation of engineers. With more than 8 million manufacturing jobs worldwide projected to go unfilled by 2030 – especially those requiring advanced digital skills—making technology accessible is critical. Even experienced engineers often struggle with existing systems, so we designed CloEE to speak a human language. I believe it will become an essential tool for Gen Z in the factories of the future,” said Julia Sabitova, COO and Co-founder of CloEE.

CloEE has a team of eight with an R&D center in Helsinki. The company aims to secure its first 20 recurring customers in 2025, after which it plans to raise its next investment round. The new funding will focus on research and development to explore how AI Agents can significantly transform and potentially replace traditional heavy manufacturing platforms.

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Cellugy develops biobased materials intended to replace fossil-derived ingredients in consumer products. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Søborg, the company uses microbial fermentation to produce cellulose-based alternatives for applications in sectors such as personal care. Its platform, EcoFLEXY, focuses on creating biodegradable rheology modifiers as substitutes for synthetic polymers like carbomers. Cellugy collaborates with partners in sustainability, data science, and manufacturing to bring its materials closer to commercial scale amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of microplastics and persistent chemicals.

EcoFLEXY is designed to replace fossil-based carbomers, known as harmful microplastics, significantly reducing environmental pollution and the use of hazardous chemicals in the cosmetics sector. It delivers superior product performance and adaptable sensorial properties, along with scalable, operationally efficient manufacturing to meet the needs of a fast-evolving beauty industry focused on sustainability and innovation.

The release of microplastics from personal care products is a growing concern, as studies indicate that products such as facial scrubs and liquid soaps contribute to environmental pollution. Recent research also suggests that microplastics can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, raising questions about their potential impacts on human health. Rheology modifiers, for example, are essential to virtually every personal care product, from skincare and colour cosmetics to deodorants and oral care. However, nearly 70% of the €2.8B global rheology modifier (RM) market remains dependent on fossil-based carbomers and acrylates, which are classified under the EU’s REACH regulation due to their persistent and toxic nature.

Through the BIOCARE4LIFE project, EcoFLEXY is positioned to prevent the release of 259 tons of microplastics annually by project completion, scaling dramatically to 1,289 tons per year by 2034, equivalent to removing millions of contaminated beauty products from the market each year.

The timing of the project is crucial, as reports suggest the beauty industry could stand to lose around €12 billion (US$13 billion) due to the EU microplastics ban and US restrictions on PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” But the challenge is more than just a sustainability-related issue.

“An alternative material that simply aims to be more sustainable is not enough; the critical challenge is about delivering bio-based solutions that actually outperform petrochemicals in performance parameters like texture, functionality, and user experience, while also being scalable and operationally efficient,” explains Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder at Cellugy. ”Good intentions won’t drive industry change; we need higher-quality alternatives like EcoFLEXY that make it easier, not harder, for brands to choose sustainability. Only when bio-based materials match or exceed the performance and economics of traditional ingredients will we see the transformation needed to protect both human health and our planet.”

EcoFLEXY offers superior performance and previously unachievable functionalities compared to existing biobased ingredients, such as xanthan and cellulose gums, while eliminating the handling challenges associated with plant-nanocellulose alternatives. The biofabricated cellulose material delivers enhanced stability, compatibility, and sensoriality, critical factors for cosmetics manufacturers who cannot compromise on product quality while meeting growing sustainability demands. This bridges the gap between the performance of fossil-based modifiers and the environmental benefits of natural materials, enabling the creation of effective and eco-friendly personal care formulations.

“The project signals real progress toward more sustainable manufacturing in the personal care sector,” said Will Nunn, Manager at The Footprint Firm. “Our role is to validate the environmental impact and ensure the best alignment with circular economy principles. The project’s combination of technical innovation and sustainability validation positions EcoFLEXY very strongly for market adoption and supports the EU’s broader transition to a more resource-efficient economy.”

The BIOCARE4LIFE project will drive EcoFLEXY’s scale-up process through the work of a specialist consortium of experts in biotechnology, sustainability, and data management: The Footprint Firm (TFF), a consultancy company focused on circular economy solutions and environmental impact validation, and Sci2sci, a Berlin-based startup specialising in data management, machine learning, and AI-driven process optimisation.

“Scaling a biotech solution is never simple, but it’s where the real value lies,” Angelina Lesnikova, Sci2sci CEO adds. “Our role is to optimize every layer of production, from fermentation parameters to supply chain predictability, so that EcoFLEXY can compete with petrochemical alternatives not just on environmental benefits, but on cost and performance metrics that matter to manufacturers. Together we have the potential to make sustainable chemistry economically irresistible as well as environmentally essential.”

The €8.1 million investment will fund critical scaling activities, process optimization, and commercial validation over a four-year period.

“This grant provides the resources we need to transform our vision into reality. Within three to five years, we expect to be generating significant revenue while delivering a measurable environmental impact. Our end goal is sweeping petrochemicals from an industry worth billions, and we now have the backing and the partnerships to make it happen,” Alvarez-Martos concludes.

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Rooted in the Nordic innovation ecosystem, Hymeth’s patented alkaline electrolysis platform is engineered to unlock affordable, scalable green hydrogen production — by an externally verified 84% (HHV) efficiency, without relying on scarce or expensive materials. The company’s initial 25kW system is already prepared for field deployment and 250kW units will be developed to provide for fossil free replacement in industrial sectors and a multitude of energy nodes where security of supply is increasingly important.

The Chairman of Hymeth’s Board Torkel Elgh emphasized: “We are taking a vital step to scale-up the Hymeth electrolysers catering for the global demand for highly efficient green hydrogen production. Hymeth is in a good position and welcome our new strong lead investor with industrial and commercial acumen, long-term commitment as well as devotion to commercialising new technologies and building industries. It is very motivating to embark on this journey and work even harder together to reach what we jointly want to achieve.”

In addition to the commercial deployment of the 25kW units and the advanced development of the 250kW industrial solutions the investment secures the well-defined employment strategy and the continuation of developing strategic partnerships with utilities, industrial clients, and other relevant stakeholders.

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The demand for minerals is rapidly increasing across multiple industries, driven by global urbanisation, the clean energy transition, and growing agricultural needs. Critical materials like iron and aluminum are essential for construction, while agriculture faces rising pressure to secure non-renewable minerals such as potash and phosphates for fertiliser production.

Clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles and battery storage systems, are driving unprecedented demand for minerals such as copper, cobalt, and lithium. Among them, copper has become a particular concern. Analysts warn that global supply is falling short of projected needs, raising alarms about the impact on climate transition targets. The shortage is influencing geopolitical strategies and prompting renewed attention to the role of mining technology. Rather than relying solely on increased exploration, the industry is looking to innovation in mineral processing and extraction methods to address the growing gap between supply and demand.

Finding ore is not enough, however. The lower the quality of ore, meaning the less of the minerals it contains, the more must be mined. This results in more waste, higher consumption of energy and water, poorer efficiency due to low recovery rates, and increased cost. For example, in Chile, the average copper ore grade has declined by 30% over 15 years.

Hypermine’s technology, which combines laser illumination, hyperspectral sensing, and proprietary machine-learning algorithms, allows mine operators to sort the valuable minerals from the remaining mined material at the earliest stage of the mining process, improving resource recovery while minimizing the environmental impact. Mines can improve their profitability by 3–10% with the technology while extending their lifetime. Furthermore, Hypermine’s technology helps cut down energy use by 10%, and it can reduce ore flotation acids and water usage by 15%.

“Meeting society’s material needs without damaging the environment is not an easy undertaking. We want to make mining more efficient, which is key for mining companies to extract more minerals at lower costs, while also minimizing environmental impact and reducing the use of water, acids, and energy. We’ve already proven our technology in multiple different environments and have vast market potential.  We are continuing to partner with major players in the global mining industry and have ambitious growth plans,” says Markku Makkonen, CEO of Hypermine.

“Hypermine is truly a breakthrough technology for the mining industry,” said Jake Greenberg, Managing Director at Sage Enterprises. “In the same way that sonar allowed navies to see enemy submarines, Hypermine’s laser-based hyperspectral sensors allow mining companies to see the minerals in their orebodies in real time, improving decision-making accuracy to ensure that valuable ore gets processed while waste rock goes to the dump. This means the future of mining will be significantly more sustainable and more profitable.”

Hypermine’s breakthrough innovation, broadband laser illumination, enables revealing mineral contents of ore surfaces remotely and under any environmental conditions. This makes it possible to use the technology already during the excavation stage, improving mining decisions significantly.

“Currently, decision-making is based on inaccurate 3D block models that represent large sections of the mine, covering between 3,000 and 10,000 tonnes of material. Hypermine enables decision-making at truck load resolution, approximately 100 to 400 tonnes, making ore grade identification hundred times more accurate,” elaborates Mikhail Mekhrengin, CTO of Hypermine.

Hypermine’s technology has been co-developed and validated with a leading mining company. The Hypermine product has ongoing pilots in the UK, South Africa, Brazil, and Canada. The technology’s implementations in mines include, e.g., rock face, muck pile, loading, and hauling.

“We pioneer cutting-edge technology to support mining providers in their most critical operations – from the excavation to ore pre-processing. Combining innovative techniques, precision engineering, and industry-leading expertise, we deliver reliable, high-performance solutions designed to perform with confidence and safety, even under the toughest mining conditions,” says Andrei Rupasov, CPO of Hypermine.

“The mining industry is facing declining yields and increasing environmental scrutiny globally while demand for minerals is set to increase,” said Tor-Oskar Karlberg, Investment Director at Stephen Industries. “As an investor, we’re focused on high-impact technologies with strong teams and potential to grow internationally. Hypermine fits this commitment and we’re confident in the team’s vision. We’re excited to support Hypermine on their mission as they scale their technology and business.”

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Currently, nearly all everyday consumer products, such as plastic items, cosmetics, detergents, and soaps, contain fossil-based chemicals. Simultaneously, mounting plastic waste, tightening regulations, and consumer demand have put pressure on brands to find alternative, safe options for traditional ingredients.

The answer may lie in our oceans. Fueled by agricultural nutrient runoffs and rising ocean temperatures, harmful algal blooms have impacted coastal communities in the Caribbean and West Africa. Producing up to 40 million tons of biomass annually, these blooms have rendered beaches unusable and disrupted local economies, especially fishing, as marine ecosystems are thrown off balance. According to the Government of Jamaica, cleaning up sargassum from Caribbean beaches costs an estimated $120 million annually. However, algal blooms are starting to affect marine communities all around the world, not just in the Caribbean.

“Our fossil-based world is broken. For change to be possible at a large scale, we need to reimagine the value chains of the products that we use every day in our lives. As we partner with CABB and prepare for the construction of the first-of-a-kind biorefinery, we are already planning for additional biorefineries in the Caribbean, closer to the sargassum blooms. The advantage of our technology is that we can establish facilities anywhere around the world. Now, we are ready to scale and actively looking for partners to accelerate the widespread industrial adoption of new ingredients derived from brown algae,“ says Mari Granström, Chief Executive Activist and Founder of Origin by Ocean.

Origin by Ocean is currently looking for strategic investors and partners for the biorefinery, set to be built on CABB’s production site in Finland’s Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP), Northern Europe’s largest ecosystem of inorganic chemical industry. The market that Origin by Ocean has identified can benefit immediately from algae-based ingredients is worth 220 billion dollars. CABB is the ideal partner with its existing industrial infrastructure and industry-leading expertise in the scale-up and production of customized and complex molecules.

“CABB is excited to partner with Origin by Ocean and the opportunity to advance our sustainability agenda as well as our growth strategy in Life Science,” says Ari Venninen, Managing Director of CABB Oy in Finland.

To date, Origin by Ocean is working with multinational consumer goods companies, and Finnish fashion and lifestyle companies, such as Marimekko.

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Plagazi focuses on developing and implementing plasma gasification technology to convert non-recyclable waste into hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. The company’s approach integrates waste treatment with hydrogen production, aiming to provide a solution that addresses both waste management challenges and the need for low-carbon energy sources. Plagazi designs, develops, and operates waste-to-hydrogen facilities that can process mixed non-recyclable waste streams, producing hydrogen for industrial and transport applications while capturing CO₂ for potential reuse or storage.

Their business model includes technology licensing, plant construction, and ongoing operational management, alongside securing suitable feedstock to ensure continuous facility operation. Plagazi’s technology is positioned within broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support circular economy principles, particularly in sectors where decarbonization is difficult with current methods.

The grant signature follows the grant nomination back in October 2024, when Plagazi’s project was chosen as one out of 85 projects to receive funding among 337 applications.

“The grant signature is very rewarding following a very collaborative grant preparation process with the European Climate Agency [CINEA]. This non-dilutive funding agreement will be a great asset to attract private funding now”, said Soran Shwan, CEO of Plagazi AB. “We are proud that the EU has now put us on the map among other low-carbon hydrogen projects in Europe and that there is growing recognition that technology openness is the right approach to promote a strong climate tech sector in Europe”.

Powered by the patented Plagazi process and InEnTec-supplied plasma gasification technology, this project will transform non-recyclable waste into circular hydrogen and captured, liquid CO2, driving deep decarbonization in both industry and transport sectors.

This substantial funding brings Plagazi one step closer to becoming a leader in waste gasification-enabled circular economy solutions —and contributes to the EU’s broader mission for an energy secure, sustainable and zero-emissions future.

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The European Union is currently just 34% self-sufficient in protein concentrates (containing more than 30% protein), according to the European Commission, leaving the region heavily dependent on imports. This reliance makes the food system increasingly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and price fluctuations. Volare’s scalable, local production model addresses this challenge head-on by converting food industry byproducts into circular, insect-based protein. The approach reduces waste, supports regional agriculture, and strengthens the resilience and self-sufficiency of Europe’s food system.

At the core of Volare’s breakthrough is the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), nature’s most efficient bioreactor. These insects naturally convert food industry byproducts into high-value resources with exceptional efficiency. While such byproducts are often incinerated – wasting their potential – Volare upcycles them into premium insect protein, oil, and fertilizer through its proprietary zero-waste, fossil-free process. Leveraging a brownfield location, Volare offers a significantly more capital-efficient setup than greenfield builds.

Several key technologies integrated into the process achieve a 30% reduction in processing energy use and aims to cut hygienization energy use by 50%, enabling operational expenditure (OPEX) performance unseen in the insect technology sector. This makes Volare’s system not only the most energy-efficient protein production platform available today but also a circular economy benchmark. Volare’s sustainable ingredients have already gained traction in aquafeed, pet food, and poultry feed, offering a scalable, proven alternative to environmentally intensive ingredients such as fishmeal, meat, and soy.

Volare’s protein has already been validated through real-world partnerships. An offtake agreement with Skretting, a global aquafeed leader, ensures long-term demand from the upcoming facility. In parallel, Volare is piloting insect-fed rainbow trout in Finland via a 150,000 kg collaboration with Alltech Fennoaqua, Kalankasvatus Vääräniemi, and Kalavapriikki.

As large-scale production begins, Volare is well-positioned to support Norwegian producers with a high-quality, regionally sourced alternative to imported fishmeal—offering shorter lead times, lower emissions, and improved supply reliability. The Volare 01 plant will produce protein equivalent to the yield of 200 million Baltic herrings annually – approximately 18% of Finland’s total commercial fish catch in protein terms. Designed for scalability, the facility will serve as a platform for future expansion across Finland and Northern Europe.

The forthcoming Volare 01 facility will produce protein equivalent to the annual yield from 200 million Baltic herrings, approximately 18% of Finland’s total commercial fish catch in protein. Designed as a scalable model, the facility paves the way for rapid expansion in Finland and beyond. With offtake agreements secured and products already on the market, Volare is set to enter full-scale operations with proven demand and a clear path to global growth.

Tuure Parviainen, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Volare, said: “Volare was founded on the vision that protein can – and must – be produced in a radically more efficient and sustainable way. Now, we’re entering a new phase: scaling up to full industrial production. Our new facility will bring our proprietary, zero-waste, fossil-free process to life at scale, transforming food industry byproducts into high-quality protein and strengthening Europe’s food resilience.”

As Volare enters the next chapter, the company is realigning leadership roles to support its expanding vision. Co-founder Jarna Hyvönen, formerly Chief Commercial Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer as of June 2025, bringing a strong track record in commercial strategy to lead the company into its next stage of growth. Co-founder Tuure Parviainen, who has led Volare as CEO since its founding, will transition to the role of Chief Science Officer. In this new position, Parviainen will focus on advancing the company’s core technology and overseeing the development of its new industrial facility.

Jarna Hyvönen, CEO of Volare, said: “This is the most efficient way to produce protein, combining low-value raw materials, nature’s own bioreactor, and proprietary ultra-efficient technology – a combination that’s hard to beat. The result is a process with emissions significantly lower than conventional alternatives, up to 4–8 times lower than soy. This investment marks a major step toward full-scale operations and reinforces Volare’s position at the forefront of the global protein transition.”

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