As many as 11 innovative startups tackling major environmental challenges have been selected to trial their technologies with Amazon across Europe, as part of this year’s Amazon Sustainability Accelerator (ASA). The startups, hailing from Europe, the US, and Canada, will have the opportunity to pilot their pioneering solutions within Amazon’s operations, with potential investments of up to €2 million.
The startups include Canada-based BrainBox AI, UK’s Cheesecake Energy, German startup Circu Li-Ion, Hipli from France, HT Materials Science from Ireland, Phairdra and Pirta from the US, Austria’s Raicoon, Denmark’s Re-Zip, SolCold from Israel and Swiss startup Unbound Potential.
The chosen startups will address a variety of sustainability issues in the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, and Spain, including electronic waste recycling, innovative packaging methods, building materials, and AI-driven energy efficiency. Each pilot will vary in duration and scope, depending on the specific environmental challenge, with the possibility of long-term partnerships upon completion.
Among the selected startups, Cheesecake Energy from the UK will deploy its compressed air and thermal technology for energy storage within Amazon’s European fulfillment centres. Their technology stores excess solar energy to provide reliable electricity during peak hours, contributing to a reduction in emissions from Amazon’s energy consumption.
“Storing energy for longer periods is vital as we accelerate towards net zero,” said Michael Simpson, Chief Commercial Officer at Cheesecake Energy. “We are excited to test our innovative technology with Amazon, helping to reduce energy storage costs and ensure renewable energy is used efficiently.”
Startups Re-Zip and Hipli will lead efforts to reduce packaging waste by piloting reusable packaging solutions across Amazon’s operations in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria. Their solutions will be tested on approximately 100,000 orders.
Anne-Sophie Raoult, the co-founder of Hipli, emphasised the potential impact of their collaboration and said, “Collaborating with a player of the size of Amazon gives us the unique opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of our approach to drastically reduce the use of disposable packaging at the industry level.”
Meanwhile, Luxembourg-based Circu Li-Ion will work on extending the life of Amazon’s batteries by using robots to disassemble and upcycle lithium-ion batteries, reducing waste and decreasing the need for carbon-intensive material extraction.
Throughout the pilot projects, Amazon’s sustainability experts will provide feedback and assistance to ensure smooth implementation and refinement of the technologies. The environmental impact, financial viability, and effectiveness of these solutions will be evaluated to determine their scalability across other Amazon sites.
“This trailblazing programme is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving positive change. By providing a real-world testing ground for unique technologies, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also creating a blueprint for more sustainable practices across industry,” said Justine Mahler, Amazon’s Sustainability Director.
Since its launch in 2022, the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator has supported more than 40 startups across the UK and Europe, providing over €1 million in grants and credits. These startups have increased sales by an average of 700% and raised over €18.7 million in funding.
