Top CleanTech Companies to Watch in 2023

What is CleanTech and why is it important? CleanTech encompasses “clean and green” practices, products, and services. It is mainly seen in the energy, solar, water, and biofuel sectors since these tend to have historically high amounts of waste and carbon emissions. Advancements in this area ensure future generations have access to greater quality of life.

Climate change has been a big driving force for the push toward clean energy, which is why CleanTech has become popularized over the past couple of decades. Many organizations focus on creating value while minimizing environmental impact; however, there is still much work to be done before the planet is free from the negative effects of climate change.

Nowadays, everyone can see the problems of climate change. We have an article that talks about how AI can Improve Environmental Sustainability, and it might be interesting for you.

We look at top companies using clean processes to bring about sustainability, disrupting some of the largest industries that are causing the most harm. 

For more on sustainability, check out these articles: How AI Changes the Renewable Energy Industry and Top Renewable Energy Companies to Watch.  

Nel Hydrogen

Nel Hydrogen specializes in the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources. One of the pillars of their identity is sustainability, and their goal is to deliver clean and safe energy alternatives for future generations. 

Carbon emissions have been wreaking havoc on the planet for years, therefore Nel aims to address these concerns by taking the renewable energy life cycle one step further. Through a process called electrolysis, hydrogen is extracted from renewable resources like water, wind, and solar power to be used as an alternative energy source. 

Hydrogen power offers many benefits, such as virtually carbon-free greenhouse gas emissions. Nel’s hydrogen process provides power to hydrogen fueling stations and fuel cell electric vehicles, all while being virtually carbon-emission-free. 

With this kind of technology, we can move closer to a future with minimal greenhouse gas pollution. Nel Hydrogen hopes to cut carbon concentration in the air by half, saying goodbye to fossil fuels for good.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Fossil fuels will not last forever, so we look to fuel alternatives as the fossil fuel supply dwindles. Burning fossil fuels is a primary cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, global warming, and declines in community health. This is not a sustainable way to provide energy for automobiles, manufacturing plants, and so much more.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REGI) works to lower carbon impact and greenhouse gas emissions through their production of sustainable biodiesel fuels. They help corporations meet their sustainability goals by supporting their transition to clean energy.

REGI creates biodiesel fuels that power anything from fleet vehicles to semi-trucks and airplanes. Agriculture, construction, rail, and mining are just a few of the industries on the extensive list of REGI’s beneficiaries. 

Making the switch to the clean technology of sustainable fuel guarantees immediate carbon reduction. REGI’s commitment to transforming the fuel industry will help begin reducing the damage years of burning fossil fuels have caused.

Joby Aviation

This electric aviation company is reimagining the way we fly and rideshare. Joby has invented an aircraft uniquely marked by its 6 electric motors, capable of vertical landing and takeoff. They report that this aircraft is quiet enough to land in neighborhoods, giving it the ability to serve any community. Joby has partnered with companies such as NASA on electric flight projects, Toyota on streamlining manufacturing processes, and most recently, Uber.

Joby’s sustainability initiative begins with zero operating emissions and accessibility, and works to “reduce the acoustic and climate footprint of flight”. Their partnership with Uber will expand aerial rideshare across the United States, granting Americans the opportunity to access cheaper ways to travel faster. 

Joby Aviation maintains a strict adherence to rigorous FAA and other global aviation regulations and has received airworthiness approval from the United States Air Force. Looking forward to the future, Joby plans to scale manufacturing and prepare for operations. This CleanTech company has the potential to impact the billion-dollar air travel industry and reduce carbon emissions from flights. 

Bboxx

Energy is a basic input for economic development, productivity, and business operations, and without it, these things aren’t possible. The key to moving every country closer to economic independence begins with electricity and the opportunities it provides. People in economically desolate communities must have access to the systems and resources needed to gain financial freedom. This is where Bboxx comes in. 

Bboxx is a platform providing access to essential products and services to underserved communities across Africa. They provide off-grid solar solutions and integrated operating systems to help local businesses realize economic growth.

Bboxx transforms the lives of its users and allows them to realize their economic potential through low-cost solar power and operating systems. Their digital highway is strengthened by the physical highway they use to deliver essential goods and services across Africa. 

Bboxx plans to scale its operations by partnering with governments and corporations across Africa to reach a greater number of disadvantaged people.

The Good Food Institute

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization focused on creating alternative protein. Revolutionizing the meat industry is essential for solutions to the climate crisis, as well as global health, food security, and biodiversity. 

GFI produces three different types of alternative proteins: fermented, cultivated, and plant-based. All three options use land and resources more efficiently than chicken and beef crops, meaning more people can access food while minimizing environmental impact. These manufacturing processes also reduce the risk of disease that traditional animal meat carries. 

Experts believe that the agriculture industry is harmful to the climate, and eventually, it may not be able to meet the demand for food without irreparably destroying the Earth. GFI’s mission to meet this rising demand with a fraction of the climate impact will help to alleviate the pressure felt by the agriculture industry while ensuring future generations will have access to clean and safe food.

Oolu

Oolu is a West African-based off-grid solar company driving sustainability with its energy, information, education, and employment initiatives. By providing affordable solar products, they give rural communities access to basic services that they previously would’ve had to travel long distances for.  

Over 70% of Africa’s rural population lives without access to electricity or has unreliable electricity due to issues in the power grid. This means that many communities are unable to heat and cool their houses, safely store food, and have little to no access to electronics. All of these have become necessities in the modern world, but none can exist without electricity.  

Affordable off-grid electricity from Oolu provides a solution for those affected by these problems. Customers will be able to charge their phones and laptops to access information, start businesses, find work, and more. Students will be able to study and complete schoolwork once the Sun goes down. The economy gets stimulated by the jobs created by Oolu to deliver this technology all over the continent. 

Oolu wants to help people by providing them with access to a clean, reliable, and cost-efficient energy alternative and eventually expanding its network to cover West and Central Africa. 

Solugen

Solugen is a biochemical engineering company that’s creating a new class of safe and sustainable molecules. Their mission is to bring carbon-negative products to mass production for the world. Solugen’s manufacturing facility is the world’s first carbon-negative factory and their products boast a zero toxin and no waste reputation.  

The process to create these clean chemicals begins with corn syrup, deionized water, and compressed air. The raw materials are then converted to chemicals in an enzyme reactor. The closed drainage of the facility means that this process generates zero wastewater and zero air emissions. 

The chemicals currently used by society are responsible for 30% of the world’s carbon emissions. Solugen’s technology can significantly decrease the toxins and carcinogens in the air we breathe. They claim that by using Solugen products, customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions 3x more than when using traditional chemical products. Not only are they tackling air pollution, but their products save more energy than traditional products as well. 

The future of this CleanTech company looks bright. Solugen plans to address technical challenges in industries such as water, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. 

Waterplan

Waterplan provides a platform for companies to monitor and mitigate their water risk during business operations. Using operational and water basin data, this CleanTech company helps businesses understand how their processes affect their water risk and provides solutions on how to respond. 

Water insecurity isn’t a new concept, but addressing the challenges it brings is still relatively new. Corporations contribute to the lack of safe water through their disregard for climate and water impact. Waterplan’s strategy can help to ensure water security for future generations.

Waterplan aims to help companies in water-intensive industries transition to a more water-conscious framework. Saving water, reducing pollutant runoff, and conserving water sources are the primary goals Waterplan is setting for the future. 

c16 Biosciences

c16 Biosciences has developed a fermentation method that creates a sustainable palm oil alternative. Historically, traditional palm oil harvesting has caused massive amounts of damage and deforestation to tropical rainforests across the globe. c16’s innovative process has the potential to drastically reduce the environmental impact traditional farming practices have created.

The negative byproducts of deforestation are numerous, with animal species endangerment and inhumane labor practices being some of the most unscrupulous results of such practices. Unfortunately, many products available to consumers require palm oil as an ingredient, so the reduction of harmful farming practices seems like an impossible task. c16’s conflict-free palm oil aims to change the future of deforestation practices.

Phykos

Phykos is actively working to remove carbon dioxide in the Earth’s oceans through the cultivation of seaweed. Migrating seaweed platforms grow, harvest, and then sink seaweed in deep parts of the ocean to capture and store atmospheric carbon. By enhancing existing marine carbon cycles, Phykos can cool, clean, and de-acidify the ocean with the added benefit of providing habitats for marine life. 

Climate change has many devastating effects on our oceans, with one of the most prevalent effects being coral bleaching. Increasing water temperature is one cause of this phenomenon where algae migrate from the coral to a more hospitable climate, leaving the coral exposed to disease and death. This process destroys entire ecosystems, creating a vicious cycle that will leave the oceans barren in the future. 

Phykos’ technology can begin to tackle the severe effects of climate change in the oceans and supply new habitats for displaced marine life, hopefully bringing the ocean and atmosphere back to carbon equilibrium.

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