ISC3 - International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre

The Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency and the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) have announced "Spotlights 2026: Shaping the Chemical Transition Together," a two-day conference taking place 14–15 October 2026 in Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.

The event will bring together representatives from industry, policymaking, academia, finance and civil society to address how Europe's chemical industry can remain globally competitive and innovative while operating within planetary boundaries — covering sustainable feedstocks, circularity, chemicals management and the regulatory frameworks needed to scale innovation.

Participation is free of charge; places are limited.

🔗 Read more: https://www.isc3.org/page/joint-pathways-towards-a-competitive-innovative-and-sustainable-european-chemical-industry-by-2050

The future of Europe's chemical industry matters to all of us. It affects the products we use every day, climate protection, innovation, and Europe's competitiveness — and it's facing a fundamental transformation.

In October, the Umweltbundesamt and ISC3 will bring together 180 experts from industry, science, policy and civil society to explore how this transformation can be shaped successfully — reconciling competitiveness, innovation and sustainability within planetary boundaries.

More information and how to secure your ticket free of charge: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/form/anmelden-spotlight-konferenz

🌟 Start-up of the Month: Ecolyte! 🌟
Headlines about lithium ion batteries overheating or even catching fire have been hard to ignore. 🔥🔋

Ecolyte, a women-led start-up from Azerbaijan, has developed a non-flammable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. 🔋✨

The electrolyte is non-toxic and exists in a gel state, preventing leakage by design. It combines high energy density with excellent heat tolerance while delivering high performance at a lower cost. The company achieves this by relying on proven, scalable manufacturing methods that can be integrated into existing battery production processes.

Through its innovation, Ecolyte aims to make lithium-ion batteries safer, more sustainable, and more affordable. By reducing the use of hazardous materials and supporting greener battery production, the start-up seeks to improve both environmental sustainability and human safety while contributing to wider access to electric vehicle technology.

👉 Learn more about our Start-up of the Month August − Ecolyte: https://www.isc3.org/page/fb/ecolyte

Advancing Sustainable Chemistry at United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

ISC3 was proud to contribute to the UN Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme in Geneva, delivering the session "Sustainable Chemistry: From Principles to Practice."

Through real-world case studies like ClimEtSan-OnTheGround and AppCyclers, participants explored how Sustainable Chemistry principles can address today's policy and innovation challenges in chemicals and waste management.

Many thanks to UNITAR for the opportunity to contribute to this important initiative and to exchange ideas with professionals from around the world.

👉 Read more about the session on our website:

https://www.isc3.org/page/fb/isc3-brings-sustainable-chemistry-to-geneva

From June 14 to June 18, 2027, Achema will take place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. As the world forum and leading show for Life Science and Process Industries, it provides a unique platform for exchange between research, development, and industrial practice.



Held alongside the exhibition, the ACHEMA Congress offers researchers and industry experts the opportunity to present their latest findings, contribute new perspectives to the field, and engage with an international audience. The program focuses on topics such as decarbonisation, artificial intelligence, modular production, industrial cybersecurity, and the integration of laboratory and production environments. ACHEMAs congress topics are organised around six Innovation Themes: Digital, Energy, Green, Lab, Pharma, and Process.



Submit your contribution by October 4, 2026, and help shape the congress program.

https://www.achema.de/congress

🎉 Congratulations to SNI (Sociedad Nacional de Industrias) on 130 years of industrial leadership in Peru!

To mark this milestone, ISC3 and SNI have signed a Letter of Intention extending their partnership through 2028 — deepening cooperation on Sustainable Chemistry and industrial transformation.

Since teaming up, ISC3 and SNI have delivered a Power-to-Chemicals Training of Trainers workshop, a National Dialogue Forum on Sustainable Chemistry, and joint participation at Expo Industria — bringing together industry, government, academia and vocational education.

Curious about the next steps?

🔗 Read the full story: https://isc3.org/page/fb/isc3-and-sni-strengthen-cooperation-to-advance-sustainable-chemistry-in-peru

🌟 Start-up of the Month: Ovomas! 🌟

What if eggshell waste could become a high-value pharmaceutical product? 🥚♻️

Ovomas, a start-up from Ecuador, is making it happen. Originally a liquid egg producer, the company now transforms eggshell waste into high-purity calcium citrate, nutraceutical capsules, and vitamin-enriched gummies − turning a disposal problem into a circular business model.

Their calcium citrate offers a locally produced, affordable alternative to imported supplements, helping address conditions like osteoporosis. And by keeping eggshells out of landfills, Ovomas also cuts methane emissions, reduces aquifer contamination, and avoids the environmental toll of conventional limestone-based calcium production.

👉 Learn more: https://isc3.org/page/fb/ovomas

🚀 Meet the 8 finalists of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2026: "Sustainable Chemistry & Electronics"!

Selected from 50+ applicants across 25+ countries, these start-ups are reimagining the chemistry behind our devices — from solvent-free magnet recycling to AI-driven e-waste traceability.

🏆 The Finalists:

🔹 Afya ya mnyama Digital (Tanzania) – eco-designed smart ear tags for animal health

🔹 AppCyclers (Ghana) – community-driven digital e-waste recycling

🔹 Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation - BITRI (Botswana) – waste-sourced energy storage & solar-fuel platform

🔹 Ecolyte (Azerbaijan) – safer ionic liquid-based battery electrolytes

🔹 ON nano International GmbH (Germany) – large-area spin coating for next-gen chip assembly

🔹 ReBond Technologies (Tanzania) – bio-based reversible adhesives for circular electronics

🔹 TSR Innovations (Germany) – closed-loop recycling for rare-earth magnets

🔹 WeavInsight (Singapore) – AI-driven "Chemical Digital Twin" for electronics

🙏 Huge thanks to our jury of 15 independent experts across Sustainable Chemistry, Electronics, Business, Innovation and Academia for their rigorous evaluation.

Karsten Schischke, Fraunhofer IZM
Dr. Diana Radovan PhD ELS, Dr. Peter Tranitz, Andres Ojalill and
Francisco Fourcade from Global Electronics Association
Sebastián Díaz Mesa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación
Christine Nikander, Palsa & Pulk
Dr. Ariane Sbrice , PhD, Energy & Bioproducts
Research Institute from Aston University
Daniëlle 丹妮 Glasbergen, Brightlands Chemelot Campus
Priya Saikumar, Academics for Circular Economy
Dr. Alexis Bazzanella
Maria Florencia Hoffmann
Silvia Perez Hector
Dr. Dorota Bartkowiak
Dr. Carl-Christian Kolbe
from International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3)

📣 "The quality and diversity of this year's applications send a clear signal: these founders are proving that Sustainable Chemistry and electronics innovation go hand in hand." – Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director, ISC3 Innovation Hub

Next stop: pitch training, then the big stage at in Munich (10–13 Nov), where finalists compete for €25,000 in prize money on 13 November!

Read more: https://www.isc3.org/page/isc3-announces-finalists-for-the-innovation-challenge-2026-sustainable-chemistry-electronics

OECD Workshop on Financing Sustainable Chemistry

Two days of presentations and discussions on financing R&D and innovation for safer, more sustainable chemicals.

Key questions explored:

🔹 What are the investment needs?

🔹 Which metrics can investors use for due diligence?

🔹 What hurdles do chemical companies face?

🔹 How can policymakers and regulators better incentivise safer alternatives?

There are no easy answers in the complex field of chemistry.

Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub, contributed insights on investment needs and financing programs for start-ups at different growth phases.