Innovative Ideas Accelerator Session
Innovative Ideas Accelerator Session is a dynamic platform where startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators working on solutions to ocean plastic pollution present their projects to receive targeted, actionable feedback. The session aims to refine and advance their innovations through the guidance of an expert panel.
During the session a number of preselected cases will present a specific problem and proposed solution, with the panel offering insights to enhance both technological development and market viability.
All OPIM participants are encouraged to listen in on the Innovative Ideas Accelerator Session to get inspired and learn from the discussions and feedback. Relevant audience questions, comments or ideas may also be addressed.
The session will present cases from different parts of the ocean plastic value chain.
Principal value chain for ocean plastic
Cases
Natural Seabed: OceanFront - Global System for Seabed Cleanup
Magnus Stranden, Head of Development / Co-founder, OceanFront and Aleksander Bøe Sandøy, CEO / Co-founder, OceanFront
OceanFront is the driving force behind the innovative Natural Seabed concept, aiming to restore and preserve our oceans. The Natural Seabed concept is an effective way for cleaning the seabed of any man made objects, such as litter and ghost fishing gear. To this date Oceanfront have removed more than 325.000kg of waste from the seabed.
PolyGone Systems - Systematic Solutions for Microplastic Pollution
Yidian Liu, Co-founder, Polygone
PolyGone Systems, a Princeton University spinout, develops microplastic filtration technologies for waterways and industrial wastewater. Its Artificial Root Filter mimics aquatic plant roots, using a hydrophobic design to attract and capture microplastics. Applications include the “Plastic Hunter” monitoring device and large-scale industrial pilots in NJ and CA. PolyGone’s mission is to reduce microplastic pollution to protect marine ecosystems and public health.
Water Without Microplastics and Micropollutants
Katrin Schuhen, CEO, Wasser 3.0 gGmbH
Wasser 3.0 develops and scales technologies for water without microplastics and micropollutants. With a focus on data-driven technology development, education and innovation transfer, Wasser 3.0 is where green tech innovation meets social business.
Chemical Recycling of Ocean Plastics. Why is it important?
Flavio Ortiago, PhD, CEO, Re:Lab
Re:Lab and its sister company Recupera have developed and deployed a low-temperature conversion technology that transforms mixed, unclean plastics into purified carbon and hydrogen. This process also degrades organic contaminants and safely contains inert materials in ash. By addressing the toxicity of ocean plastics, their technology ensures purified outputs suitable for creating new plastics or chemicals, promoting sustainable solutions.
Panelists
Ben Lesage, Global Coordinator, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
Christine Spiten, Senior Growth Manager, Danske Bank Growth
Frederik Hinz Andersen, Founder, Ocean Flagships
Lars Fogh Mortensen, Circular Economy, Consumption and Production expert, European Environment Agency / Member of the Club of Rome
Markus Böhm, Founding Partner, Planet Ocean Fund
