Open Innovation Challenge
Industry meets green chemistry innovations
Applications to this challenge are now closed. Stay tuned for upcoming challenges in the next weeks!
Tackle a real challenge from industry
In our Open Innovation Challenge, greenCHEM invites researchers and startups to submit novel, green chemistry solutions to a real-world industry problem. Selected teams receive mentorship from the industry partner and specialists within our ecosystem, as well as access to laboratories and equipment to further develop their technologies for two to six months. After this elaboration phase, teams pitch their ideas to a jury. The winning team receives prize money and may enter a partnership with the industry partner to continue developing their solution.
Our Partner: CHARLE
The Open Innovation Challenge features CHARLE premium haberdashery, a Berlin-based company that has been developing high-quality, circular narrow fabrics for a wide range of applications. Specialized in elastic and non-elastic bands made from natural rubber, organic cotton, linen, and TencelTM, the company pursues environmentally friendly, resource-saving, and socially responsible production methods throughout the entire value chain. With a spirit of innovation and a clear focus on sustainability, the company works to create textile solutions that will also benefit future generations.
The Challenge
CHARLE is looking for a non-fossil-based, biodegradable elastomer that behaves like rubber with raw material sourced in Europe. In other words, they seek a sustainable, biogenic alternative to natural rubber to reduce its upstream CO₂ emissions caused by long-distance logistics and to prevent future supply chain disruptions by being source in the European continent.
-
1. What we are looking for at the end of the challenge
We want elastomers based on non-fossil raw materials, able to be sourced in Europe, with the following characteristics:
Potential for biodegradability
Potential for high elasticity
Potential for extrudability
Nice to have:
Very good resilience
High tear resistance
Excellent chemical resistance
High tensile strength
Durability
Thermal stability
2. Possible approaches
Use of food or natural textile waste (natural fibres) or a combination thereof
Plant-based alternatives with low carbon footprint
3. Approaches not of interest
Waste or materials of fossil origin
Alternatives based on Russian dandelion (due to high carbon footprint and land use)
Plant-based alternatives with high carbon footprint
Rewards
Prize: Compete to win a 2.000€ cash prize
Collaboration with Industry: Develop a solution with instant market fit, potentially leading to quicker implementation by CHARLE
Industry Insights: Visit CHARLE’s facilities and receive guidance from mentors with real world experience
Rapid Idea Validation: Use the Challenge to understand and validate the potential of your ideas in a short cycle
Infrastructure & Equipment: Develop, test, and prototype your ideas in laboratories and lab devices made available by greenCHEM
Community: Expand your network and increase the visibility for you and your idea
Timeline
26.11.2025 – Challenge presentation at Industry on Campus
23.01.2026 – Deadline for applications
30.01.2026 – Selection of teams
09.02.2026 – Challenge kick-off and datasheet handover
09.02-03.05.2026 – Elaboration phase*
May 2026 – Pitch Day & Award*
* Dates to be confirmed.
Q&A
-
You want to put your ideas to the test and contribute to making the industry more sustainable
You want to expand your network and meet people from industry
You want to do something that matters with your green chemistry skills
-
The Challenge is open to researchers and non-incorporated startups motivated to solve material challenges from the industry and able to come to Berlin for certain checkpoints, particularly the Kick-off and the Finale.
-
You can find the Terms and Conditions here.
-
All information about the IP conditions, you can find here.
-
greenCHEM will provide access to lab space and cover the costs associated with that for teams that require it. However, if your team doesn’t need a dedicated lab from greenCHEM, you may work in your current lab. In that case, we can cover some of the costs associated with participating in the challenge, even if we’re not the ones providing the lab.
-
No, at the moment of application your solution doesn’t need to have reached any of the established criteria. You only have to explain why is it that your team is confident that your idea could potentially reach the stated material characteristics. Should your team be selected to the second phase of the challenge (the Elaboration Phase), you will have the opportunity to work in the lab and further develop your solution.
The criteria play a bigger role at the end of the challenge. Then they are going to be used to evaluate the solutions presented and help the jury pick a winner. However, even at this point, there will not be hard targets that need to be reached.
And wildcard solutions are always welcome.
More Questions?
Arni, our Open Innovation Manager, is happy to answer your questions.
“Green rubber band ball” by Whoisjohngalt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0