Full service of five strong departments

Technology & markets

Technology & Markets

Economy & policy

Economy & Policy

Sustainability

Sustainability

Communication

Communications

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Renewable Carbon Initiative

Technology & Markets

The main focus of the Technology & Markets Department are technological developments in renewable carbon conversion and its markets. Our experts combine technological expertise and insight with market research and industry feedstock conversion needs. Complementary to this, we offer technology scouting and monitoring of evolving technologies and markets in the field of biomass, CO2 conversion and advanced recycling, to establish circular and renewable carbon-based value chains.

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Contact
achim.raschka
Achim Raschka

Head of Technology

The renewable carbon economy is a young and dynamic sector – it can be hard to keep track. Innovation and technology scouting are therefore key strategies for organisations wishing to remain competitive in today’s dynamic business environment. If you want to gain insight into the evolving technology landscape of renewable carbon conversion technologies, you need to systematically search and monitor emerging technologies, as well as to foster adaptability and resilience to accelerate the pace of innovation. nova closely monitors emerging technologies and assesses their potential. We provide you with information tailored to your specific needs.

Market research for technologies in the area of renewable carbon plays a pivotal role in understanding and capitalising on opportunities within the realm of sustainable innovation. It explores the significance of targeted markets in the bio-based- and CO2-based sector, focusing on the identification of trends, technologies, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes. By examining market, capacities and price dynamics, companies can strategically position themselves to leverage the growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives. nova provides effective market research tailored to your technology needs, facilitating informed decision-making and successful market entry.

Supply and demand analysis is a fundamental framework in economics that unveils the intricate dynamics shaping markets within the field of renewable carbon. It explores the interplay between supply and demand as a cornerstone for informed decision-making in various industries. Examining product availability and consumer preferences, the analysis provides a comprehensive overview of markets, production capacities, pricing strategies, and potential disruptions. Recognising the pivotal role of supply and demand insights, organisations can optimise technology developments, resource allocation, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities in dynamic and competitive environments. nova provides supply and demand analysis as a strategic tool for navigating market complexities and fostering sustainable business development.

Feasibility and potential studies for technological developments and value chains are essential precursors to strategic decision-making, offering organisations valuable insights into the viability and opportunities associated with prospective ventures. Such assessments not only identify potential challenges and pitfalls but also uncover opportunities, providing a roadmap for resource optimisation and risk mitigation. They help shaping informed business strategies, enabling organisations to navigate uncertainties and enhance the likelihood of successful ventures.

Trend and competitive analysis are integral components of strategic planning, offering organisations a lens into the evolving market dynamics and competitive landscape. It is important to stay abreast of emerging trends and to understand competitors’ behavior to make informed decisions. By leveraging data-driven insights, businesses can identify opportunities, anticipate shifts in consumer preferences, and strategically position themselves in the market. In a fast-paced business environment, understanding trends and competitors becomes a strategic imperative for sustainable growth and market leadership and nova can help to understand these dynamics.

Pauline Ruiz, Pia Skoczinski, Achim Raschka, Nicolas Hark, Michael Carus 2023: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) as Feedstock for Chemicals, Advanced Fuels, Polymers, Proteins and Minerals. Hürth 2023.

Pia Skoczinski, Michael Carus, Gillian Tweddle, Pauline Ruiz, Doris de Guzman, Jan Ravenstijn, Harald Käb, Nicolas Hark, Lara Dammer, Achim Raschka 2023: Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2022-2027. Hürth 2023.

Lars Krause, Michael Carus, Achim Raschka & Nico Plum 2022: Mapping of advanced recycling – Providers, technologies, and partnerships, Hürth 2022.

Michael Carus, Doris de Guzman and Harald Käb 2021: Bio-based Naphtha and Mass Balance Approach – Status & Outlook, Standards & Certification Schemes. Hürth 2021.

Economy & Policy

The Economy & Policy Department has expertise in policy analysis, bio-based feedstocks (agriculture and forestry), macro- and micro-economic assessments, certification and labelling, social impact assessment and consumer research. At the interface between private and public sector stakeholders, we have long experience of “translating” between governments, regions and NGOs on the one hand, and industry, SMEs and leading researchers on the other. Often, these two sectors do not speak the same language. We help find common ground, align expectations and deliver win-win solutions.

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Contact
lara.dammer
Lara Dammer

Head of Economy & Policy

Do you want to set up a new bio-based, CO2-based or recycling process, or exploit existing by-products, but are unsure of the policy framework? In a rapidly changing environment, we can review the relevant policy and regulatory frameworks and let you know which pitfalls to avoid and which opportunities to seize.

If you want to ensure that you are using only sustainable raw materials and communicate the benefits of your product to a wide range of customers, then certificates and labels come into play. They can be a valuable tool for building consumer confidence – but how to make sure that a label is the right choice for you? And which one to select from the jungle? What do you need to certify your product? Talk to us about the right strategy for you.

For regions wishing to raise their bio-based profile, we assess the current structure of the bioeconomy, calculate biomass potentials, analyse strengths and weaknesses, illustrate success stories, connect stakeholders across value chains and provide policy recommendations for innovation, green growth, value creation, employment and climate change mitigation.

To assess the commercial viability of innovative technologies, we carry out a range of analyses, from short hot-spot assessments to target pricing and full techno-economic assessments. This service can be applied to both research projects and industrial clients. Our specifically developed nTEE methodology is capable of supporting the assessment of very low TRL processes.

Fulda, S., Dammer, L., Stratmann, M. 2023: The Green Claims Directive – What Companies Need to Know (PNG). Hürth 2023.

Dammer, L., Carus, M., Porc, O. 2023: The Use of Food and Feed Crops for Bio-based Materials and the Related Effects on Food Security. Promoting Evidence-based Debates and Recognising Potential Benefits. Hürth 2023.

Bauchmüller, V., Carus, M., Chinthapalli, R., Dammer, L., Hark, N., Partanen, A., Ruiz, P., Lajewski, S. 2021: BioSinn – Products for which biodegradation makes sense. Hürth 2023.

Biodegradable Polymers in Various Environments According to Established Standards and Certification Schemes – Graphic. Hürth 2021.

Sustainability

The Sustainability Department supports customers and partners in operationalising the broad field of sustainability. At the heart of all our activities is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a powerful tool for analysing the environmental impact of products, processes or companies from cradle to grave. In addition to LCA, we offer a wide range of other assessment methods to ensure a holistic understanding. Our team of chemists, biotechnologists and engineers have extensive experience and knowledge in renewable carbon and related fields – all to help you best manage your sustainability.

Sustainability
Contact
Matthias Stratmann, head of sustainability
Matthias Stratmann

Head of Sustainability

Sustainability efforts need a starting point. That’s why we spend several days assessing specific technologies, value chains, products or companies. We provide initial quantitative figures and identify what matters most. Clients gain insight into upstream and downstream processes beyond their traditional scope, learn and understand LCA methodology, and can make informed decisions based on the results.

Sustainability is still a new, challenging and evolving topic in the business context. Learn about the different aspects, indicators and terminology of sustainability. Understand established assessment methodologies and their shortcomings. Bridge the gap to your stakeholders and engage with them on an equal footing. Courses can be tailored to the needs of your organisation.

Strong communication requires reliable background information. We produce comprehensive LCA/CFP reports in accordance with ISO 14040/44, ISO 14067 or other related standards (i.e. for use in an EPD). We can also assist with summary formats for appropriate communication to different stakeholders.

Increasingly, reporting requirements include company and product scope CO2 emissions. Scope 1,2,3 emissions need to be quantified for corporate reporting purposes and cradle-to-gate carbon footprints are required on datasheets to enable customers to perform their own carbon footprint calculations. We can help you navigate the different standards and categories, identify overlaps and synergies between assessment types, and provide data such as emission factors for purchased materials.

Sometimes LCAs or other studies need to be reviewed to enhance their credibility. In this case, we offer our unique expertise in renewable carbon, which can be incorporated into your LCAs or CFPs through the review process. At the end of the process, you will receive a review letter from nova and benefit from the review of a well-known and respected institute.

Plum, M., de Beus, N., Kähler, F., Puente, Á., Ruiz, P., Wulff, N., Stratmann, M., vom Berg, C. and Carus, M. 2023: Case Studies Based on Peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessments – Carbon Footprints of Different Carbon-based Chemicals and Materials. Renewable Carbon Initiative, Hürth, Germany, 2023-11.

Puente, Á., de Jong, E. and Stratmann, M. 2022: PEF – A Sustainable Packaging Material for Bottles. nova-Institut GmbH (Ed.), Hürth, Germany, 2022-08.

Fulda, S., Dammer, L., Stratmann, M. 2023: The Green Claims Directive – What Companies Need to Know (PNG). Hürth 2023.

Communications

The Communications Department manages all press, communication and dissemination activities for nova, its clients and related European research projects. Commonly used tools include newsletters, social media, press releases, media relations, websites, video production and print publications. Working closely with the other departments, we are also responsible for the planning and production of nova’s conferences and webinars, the so-called nova sessions, including extensive sponsorship, exhibition and advertising opportunities for our business partners.

Communications
Contact
Stefanie Fulda, head of communications
Stefanie Fulda

Head of Communications

With a unique understanding of research and data-based content in the field of renewable carbon, sustainability and circular economy, we support our clients in all aspects of their communication activities. A team of experienced PR and communication professionals guides you through all communication, dissemination and exploitation tasks related to EU-funded research projects. National business partners can expect full service when we develop communication campaigns or carry out specific pr activities.

nova is the initiator of a series of highly successful conferences for the chemical and materials industries. Whether it is renewable materials, advanced recycling, cellulose fibres or CO2-based fuels and chemicals, our conferences are the place to be if you want to hear the latest news and want to network. We also offer a series of webinars – called nova sessions – which provide attendees with online, up-to-the-minute information on the most relevant topics in the market.

With our network of over 60,000 contacts in companies, associations and institutes, we offer unrivalled access to your target audience in the chemical and materials industry. Combined with successful social media strategies (LinkedIn, X) and our widely distributed newsletters, your news can be successfully targeted multiple times to your most relevant stakeholders.

Conferences, webinars, newsletters – they all offer excellent opportunities for sponsorship, exhibition, advertising or media partnerships. As a business partner you can easily participate in these established content hubs. Be there with your product, be seen with your innovation and be heard with your message. We can help you find the best sponsorship, exhibition or advertising arrangement to reach your target audience.

Do you think there are better ways to tell the world about your research project or business case? Are you trying to figure out how to reach your target audience? Don’t you think everything has been done to get your message across? Then let us talk about the right strategy and in-depth B2C or B2B research.

Renewable Carbon Initiative Office

Welcome to the future of the sustainable chemicals and materials industry. In 2020 nova-Institute launched the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and acts as the administrative office and scientific backbone of the initiative. The mission of the RCI is to defossilise all sectors that require carbon as a raw material in the long term to enable sustainable carbon cycles. This aspiration – from fossil to renewable carbon – is of paramount importance if carbon-dependent industries are to achieve their net-zero targets and transform into sustainable economic sectors.

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Contact
christopher.vomberg
Christopher vom Berg

Executive Manager Renewable Carbon Initiative

Driven by the Administrative Office’s strategic planning and in-depth analysis of the evolving renewable carbon landscape, the RCI identifies relevant topics that meet the needs of its members. These selected topics are then elaborated in larger research projects, which may include feedstock availability (e.g., how much biomass is sustainably available), detailed investments in key technologies (e.g., CCU), objective arguments on potential feedstocks (e.g., food crops) and methodologies (e.g., Mass Balance and Free Attribution) or sustainability considerations (e.g., Life Cycle Assessment methodology).

Led by the Working Group Policy, the RCI discusses ongoing policy and regulatory developments and identifies areas where the RCI can proactively engage with policy makers. The RCI monitors upcoming legislation to provide input and feedback to help shape policy in favour of renewable carbon through the production of several position papers (e.g., on Comprehensive Carbon Management, the Commission Proposal for a Green Claims Directive (GCD) or Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)).

With each publication, RCI aims to provide clear arguments supported by graphic visualisation, to deliver compelling advice. The chemical and materials industry is a highly diverse and complex sector and transforming it towards sustainability can be a daunting prospect. The concept of renewable carbon provides a clear guiding principle, defining renewable carbon as a baseline condition to enable true sustainability. All RCI publications then help to provide clear, rhetorical ammunition on the various issues, enabling all interested actors in the sectors to take up the arguments and act as further multipliers.

RCI recognises that addressing the complex challenges of transforming the chemical and materials sector from fossil to renewable carbon requires a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach. That’s why RCI is committed to building bridges with key stakeholders across the OECD, EU, academia, business, NGOs (e.g., WWF, Textile Exchange), national agencies, and policy makers. Together, RCI advocates for policies and regulations that support the use of renewable carbon sources and promote sustainable practices in carbon-dependent industries.

The RCI provides guidance and support to policy makers, government agencies, brands and other stakeholders in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and circular economy goals. To be most effective, the RCI communicates and disseminates knowledge about renewable carbon through scientific background reports, press releases and social media. It also provides educational resources such as workshops and webinars to raise awareness and expand the network.