Shell Start-up Engine: Enabling Circular Practices for a Lower-Carbon World
In this first panel, the discussion focused on circularity in the energy transition, and emphasised the importance of moving from a linear economy to a circular one. Circular practices involve repurposing, reusing, and recycling materials and resources, which is essential for a sustainable energy transition. Four local startups discussed their contributions and innovations, shedding light on the critical role circularity plays in achieving sustainable energy goals.
Revolutionising wet waste management
Tan Wee Han, Chief Executive Officer, Altent Renewables, highlighted the significance of wet waste management. Altent's solution efficiently converts wet waste, such as unconsumed food and sewage, into valuable fuels. This innovation addresses the environmental and economic challenges associated with wet waste disposal. By eliminating the need for extensive energy consumption and incineration, Altent offers an eco-friendly alternative for waste management, which can potentially reduce disposal costs by more than 15%.
‘’Wet Waste contains significant water content, making them challenging and costly to treat. About 80% of revenue in Singapore and globally is lost as these wastes are typically incinerated, landfilled, or recklessly discarded. A proprietary chemical process offers a solution by converting these waste streams into valuable fuels," Mr Tan explained.
A sustainable solution for decarbonising solvent separations
Shi Guimin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of SOLV8 Technology, presented their innovative approach to decarbonising solvent separations for industries. SOLV8's energy-efficient nano filters purify solvents without the use of heat, significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in industries that heavily rely on solvents. This technology offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional solvent separation methods, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and energy consumption in industrial processes.
‘’In edible oil production, it takes around 4,000 litres of solvents to extract one tonne of edible oil, such as soybean oil. Similarly, the pharmaceutical ingredient industry requires even more solvents, around 20 tonnes, to produce a tonne of the final product. The volume of solvents that need to be purified and separated from these products is substantial, exceeding a billion tonnes’’, said Mr Guimin.
Technology-driven recycling for reduced contamination
Technology plays a vital role in improving recycling processes and reducing contamination. Mervin Ng, Co-founder of SG Recycle utilises technology to monitor waste collection points and incentivise users for recycling efforts, collecting and processing various waste types. This approach promotes sustainable waste management and aids in lowering carbon emissions by reducing the reliance on new materials.
Similarly, Susmita Roy, Founder of Greenitio, focuses on developing sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to replace harmful plastic ingredients in cosmetics and home care products.
“96% of plastic ingredients used in cosmetics contain microplastics, which, after a single use, become non-recyclable waste, often ending up in oceans and rivers. This pollution poses a threat to our environment and human health,” said Ms Roy. This innovation addresses the environmental concerns associated with non-recyclable microplastics and contributes to more eco-friendly practices in these industries.
The discussion on circularity in energy transition underscored the critical role startups play in addressing sustainability challenges. This circularity is pivotal in achieving the broader goal of an energy transition towards a net zero world.
By repurposing waste, reducing industrial energy consumption, replacing harmful materials, and reducing contamination, these startups align with the broader ambition of creating a sustainable, eco-friendly energy landscape, supporting national sustainability agendas and Shell's aim to become a net zero emissions company by 2050.
Follow us for more timely updates on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram.