Recently, the idea of energy transition and circular economy has gained significant attention across the globe.
At their core, these movements aim to change how energy is produced and consumed, reduce waste, and adhere to sustainable practices.
A growing number of startups worldwide are modifying their business models to align with these concepts, as part of a broader shift toward sustainability.
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, it’s no surprise that numerous cities globally are becoming hotbeds for energy transition and circular economy initiatives.
One such example is Rotterdam – the second-largest city in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam’s pursuit of Energy Transition
Rotterdam has an extensive energy ecosystem in the Netherlands, thanks to the combination of port and industrial areas.
These work closely with universities like TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, which research energy transitions. Together, they create a room that promotes innovation and sustainability.
Rotterdam has positioned itself as a hydrogen hub.
The Province, the City, the Port, InnovationQuarter, Rotterdam Partners, and the Economic Board Zuid-Holland together are working towards the development of a state-of-the-art hydrogen value chain.
It includes multiple projects such as large-scale production of green and blue hydrogen, as well as imports, and infrastructure.
In fact, Rotterdam introduced the world’s first hydrogen-powered water taxis operating on the river Maas, using the Future Mobility Park as a testing ground for sustainable transport innovations.
Collaboration is the key
The city also excels at collaboration and innovation between government, businesses, and research institutions, working together on energy transition, digitalisation, and circularity.
Some of the examples include the Rotterdam Offshore Wind Coalition, PortXL program, Smart Energy Systems Programme, Platform Zero, and more.
Rotterdam’s roadmap on circular economy
Rotterdam has created a Roadmap for the Circular Economy as part of its Next Economy plan.
By 2030, the city aims to make circular economy practices more common and to cut the use of raw materials by 50 per cent compared to today.
The focus will be on four main sectors — construction, green energy, consumer goods, and healthcare.
Rotterdam encourages circular initiatives and improves the investment climate for green entrepreneurs and innovative startups. One such initiative is BlueCity.
BlueCity is a place in Rotterdam that focuses on circular companies. It serves as a hub where startups and scale-ups work together to create products that are good for the environment.
One entrepreneur’s output is the input of another entrepreneur. Together, this creates an example city for the circular economy.
Up!Rotterdam bolstering startups
Besides supporting initiatives and organisations, numerous startups are also working towards addressing some complexities to accelerate the adoption of energy transition and circular economy.
Up!Rotterdam supports these entities in scaling up their businesses by providing them with better access to capital, talent, and new markets and shaping a community that enhances peer learning.
From providing offshore floating solar solutions to hands-free charging for electric vehicles, we have listed some of the most notable energy transition and circular economy startups in the larger Rotterdam region.
CEO: Mattijs Slee
HQ: Delft
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Battolyser Systems is a tech company that creates Battolysers, the first system that combines a battery and an electrolyser. It stores and provides electricity like a battery, and when charged, it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The company claims that Battolyser can be used in various industries, including energy, oil and gas, chemicals, steel manufacturing, transportation, and fertilisers.
The technology was invented by Prof. Dr. Fokko Mulder and his research group at Delft University of Technology. Battolyser Systems was subsequently founded in 2018 as a spin-out from the university and set for growth in 2020 following investment by Koolen Industries.
Founder/s: Koen Burgers, Ewoud Huiskamp, Don Hoogendoorn and Olaf de Swart
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
SolarDuck is a cleantech company that offers an Offshore Floating Solar solution.
The company was established following a spin-off from Damen Shipyards (the largest shipbuilder in the Netherlands).
The Dutch company generates offshore solar energy with its advanced technology, which can be adjusted to fit local needs worldwide.
The Dutch company generates offshore solar energy using its unique, state-of-the-art technology, which is fully scalable to match specific local requirements worldwide.
SolarDuck’s technology can be used in different situations, including sunny islands and hybrid offshore energy parks in the North Sea, like those in the Netherlands.
Founder/s: Hervé Huisman and Robert Vrancken
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Gradyent has developed software based on the Digital Twin technology. The company’s real-time Digital Twin Platform creates a digital replica of an entire heating grid that operates in real time.
This software solution allows users to optimise their grid, enhance control, and run simulations for future scenarios.
As a result, companies can improve performance, reduce CO2 emissions by up to 10 per cent, save on operating costs, achieve up to 20 per cent lower capital expenditures (CapEx), and make informed operational and business decisions.
Founder/s: Crijn Bouman, Joost van der Weijde and Kanter Van Deurzen
HQ: Rijswijk South Holland
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Rocsys is a company specialised in hands-free charging solutions for electric vehicles.
The company integrates soft robotics, AI-based computer vision, and data-driven services to offer fleets and customers an effective and affordable charging experience.
Even if drivers forget to plug in on time or employees are barred from handling electrical cables, the company’s platform ensures that all vehicles are charged and ready to operate.
Rocsys’s solution works for consumer and fleet vehicles, including port equipment, industrial applications, heavy-duty, and more.
Founder/s: Rutger Van Raalten and Daniela Sordi
HQ: Delft
Hiring: Yes| Click here
CarbonX has developed a solution to source anode active materials locally and break free from China-dominated graphite supply chains.
The company does this by setting up localised supply chains and utilising a unique emulsion feedstock technology to produce a new carbon anode material in high volumes in regional carbon black manufacturing facilities.
CarbonX’s unique feedstock technology consumes less energy than synthetic or natural graphite, resulting in lower costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
Originally the company developed the technology for the tire industry with Dutch investor Sequoia BV and is now entering the battery market, providing a cost-competitive and more sustainable alternative to graphite.
Founder/s: Peter Paul van Voorst tot Voorst
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Skoon Energy is an AI-powered software platform for clean mobile energy. Founded in 2017, the Dutch company aims to transform on-site energy supply.
The company’s marketplace connects users of traditional fossil fuel powered generators with suppliers of zero-emission energy systems (which include batteries, hydrogen, and solar generators) for temporary applications, such as construction sites, events, and film sets.
Skoon’s software platform is powered by AI, enabling customers to choose the most suitable energy system for their needs.
The company operates an online marketplace with over 150 verified suppliers offering clean
mobile energy systems. This marketplace facilitates the supply and demand for clean energy solutions across industries and end users.
Founder/s: Boyan Slat
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
The Ocean Cleanup is a global non-profit organisation that develops technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.
It does that by employing a dual strategy – stopping the inflow through rivers and cleaning up legacy plastic accumulated in the ocean.
For the latter, the company creates large-scale mechanisms to concentrate the plastic for recurring cleanup. When recycled into new goods, this plastic is monitored and traced using DNV’s chain of custody approach to verify origin claims.
To curb the inflow, The Ocean Cleanup has developed Interceptor™ solutions to halt and extract plastic in rivers before it reaches the ocean.
As of August 2024, the non-profit has collected over 16 million kilograms (35.3 million pounds) of trash from aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
Founder/s: Krijn de Nood, Daan Luining, and Dr Mark Kotter
HQ: Delft
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Meatable is a startup specialising in cultivated meat technology.
Cultivated meat, which is produced from a single sample of animal cells, is set to be a viable alternative that could mitigate the environmental and societal impacts of conventional meat production.
Meatable’s technology platform aims to partner with the meat industry to scale up the production of cultivated meat products.
Founder/s: Andreas Saari, Jane Walerud, Pol Knops and Marta Sjögren
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Paebbl is a climate-tech startup that turns captured CO2 into building materials that store carbon permanently.
The company is on a mission to create a large-scale carbon removal solution within the next decade.
Since its inception, Paebbl has progressed from lab tests to a pilot unit that produces 250kg of CO2-storing material daily.
In May 2024, the Rotterdam company achieved a milestone by sequestering its first ton of CO2 and casting its first concrete structures using captured carbon, demonstrating the practical impact of its technology.
CEO: Christopher Hervé
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Pryme is a cleantech company focused on converting plastic waste into pyrolysis oil through chemical recycling on an industrial scale.
The company’s Rotterdam factory converts 40,000 tons of waste plastic into 30,000 tons of Liquid Plastic Waste (LPW) annually. This LPW is processed into naphtha, a raw material for new plastic with properties equivalent to fossil plastics.
The company’s mission is to contribute to a circular plastic economy with a low carbon footprint.
To achieve this, the company plans to develop a wide range of owned-operated plants with strategic partners to maximise the potential of its technology.
Founder/s: Ferhat Topuz, Arvin Esterabadi, and Jingwei Ren
HQ: Rotterdam
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Valyuu is a marketplace for the circular economy, assisting people in buying and selling second-hand consumer electronics.
Through the platform, users can easily buy and sell used electronic devices in different categories at a fair price without intermediaries.
The company also offers a ‘product passport’ for each product, which offers full transparency on the product’s condition, complete with unique photos and access to test reports.
As a result, consumers know exactly what they are buying. All products are validated using software and tested for functionality.
Founder/s: Bob Hendrikx
HQ: Delft
Hiring: Yes| Click here
Loop Biotech is addressing the growing demand for biodegradable funeral products.
The sustainable coffin, urn, and carrier are living objects made from upcycled hemp and mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms.
The company’s product — Loop Living Cocoon, is a sustainable alternative to the traditional coffin. It contributes to the efficient composting of a body, thus providing an enriched nutrient medium for trees and plants.
A Loop coffin is grown in seven days and, in ideal conditions, fully absorbed by nature in only 45 days. This burial method then forms an organic source for new life.
Additionally, the company also launched a carrier (Loop ForestBed), and an urn (Loop EarthRise).
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