Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for the energy sector. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising Biofuel startups.
Heat Map: 5 Top Biofuel Startups
For our 5 top picks, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 interesting examples out of 308 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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Biofuel Evolution – Bioethanol
Bioethanol provides a fuelling option that decreases the planet’s dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels by processing corn, sugarcane, or cellulose biomass. In addition, bioethanol reduces combustion emissions and boosts local production. British startup Biofuel Evolution introduces BeBlock, an in-situ system that produces low-carbon bioethanol out of households, agricultural, and commercial food waste. They plan to implement peer-to-peer (p2p) bioethanol networks using blockchain technology.
Celtic Renewables – Biobutanol
Biobutanol is a comparable substitute for fossil fuels in terms of its high energy content, low vapor pressure, and significantly fewer emissions. Besides, biobutanol easily mixes with gasoline in any proportions and, in case of leaks, has fewer opportunities to contaminate groundwater because of its water-immiscible properties. Scottish startup Celtic Renewables applies the bacteria-based fermentation and thermal hydrolysis processes to transform sugars xylose and arabinose into biobutanol. The startup employs whiskey by-products like pot ale and draff as its raw materials.
Manta Biofuel – Algae Biofuel
Algae biofuel simultaneously solves the challenges of overusing croplands and emitting huge amounts of carbon dioxide by reproducing and cultivating algae microorganisms. Algae biofuel attains high productivity thanks to its ability to absorb large amounts of carbon, pushing the needle on achieving carbon-neutrality. The US-based startup Manta Biofuel produces carbon-neutral crude oil biofuel. They grow algae in open ponds, utilize patented magnetic harvesting technology to collect concentrated biomass, and convert this into biofuel using hydrothermal liquefaction reactors.
NeoZeo – Biogas To Biomethane
Biomethane plants decrease the emissions of conventional methane and other harmful gases and support organic waste recycling. Biomethane is a purified and upgraded form of biogas, obtained from landfills, food garbage, sewage, distillery waste, and such. In terms of energy content, for the transport sector, biomethane is a potentially exciting alternative for natural gas and other fossil fuels. Swedish startup NeoZeo creates modules for upgrading biogas for agricultural and municipal organic waste. Their system utilizes pressure swing adsorption technology with porous materials as adsorbents to produce high-quality biomethane for fueling and running vehicles.
Innoltek – Biodiesel
Compared to petroleum diesel, biodiesel possesses a higher flash point, contains no sulfur and aromaticity, and ensures clean burning. Biodiesel originates from waste vegetable oils and animal fats and is appropriate for all types of diesel engines. Besides, it improves fuel lubricity to prevent premature wear & tear of the engine. Canadian startup Innoltek manufactures biodegradable biodiesel from animal fats and recycled by-products from cooking oil. Their solution has a high cetane index and oxygenation rate and is applicable primarily to farming machines, diesel boats, diesel generators, and buses.
What About The Other 303 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 5 startups showcased above are promising examples out of 308 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
