Amazon has announced that eleven companies will join its Sustainability Accelerator for 2025 - a scheme designed to advance the development of climate breakthrough technologies. The four-week programme combines expert-led workshops, mentoring sessions, and leadership panels, and will also provide some of the participating companies with the opportunity to run a pilot with Amazon’s European operations[i].
Selected from over 550 applications, the chosen companies tackle a range of environmental challenges: including energy efficiency, waste reduction, energy storage, and water management. Solutions include ultra-thin, flexible solar panels, an air conditioner that can reduce energy consumption by up to 90%, and an “artificial stomach” which breaks down food waste, turning it into biogas and hydrogen for energy generation.
The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator launched in 2022, initially focusing on creating more sustainable consumer products before expanding into climate tech solutions. Including this year’s cohort, the programme has supported more than 70 companies across six cohorts. Further, the real-world potential is significant with Amazon investing a total of €750,000 ($888,300) in five ongoing pilots from last year's cohort.
Out of the eleven firms selected for this year’s programme, three companies; Mhor Energy, Greyparrot, and Vuala are from the UK.
Founded in 2019, Scottish business Mhor Energy has developed an innovative flow battery that stores energy in liquid form. The technology works in a similar fashion as a rechargeable battery, but at a much larger scale and with an estimated lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The battery also uses a non-corrosive and non-toxic electrolyte meaning it can be deployed in highly populated areas. Further, it works efficiently even in high temperatures without needing cooling systems, making it particularly well-suited for facilities that are powered by solar energy and require a continuous energy supply.
Greyparrot specialises in the application of AI to manage waste, the company has developed computer vision systems that observe waste conveyor belts and can identify and categorise materials in real-time. Greyparrot’s product can recognise more than 110 different types of waste, from common recyclables to complex composites.
Vuala has developed a bio-mechanical “artificial stomach” that uses specialised microorganisms to process mixed food waste at customer locations. Their technology breaks food waste down into an odourless form that can be stored for up to a month. The processed waste then becomes raw material for biogas and hydrogen production, turning a disposal problem into a renewable energy opportunity.
Commenting on this year’s participants, Olivier Pellegrini, European Director of Sustainability & Packaging Operations at Amazon said: "What stands out about this cohort is their combination of technological innovation and practical applicability, these founders are developing technologies that have real potential for implementation within our operations and could be truly transformative at scale. Their approach connects well with Amazon's own culture of innovation and sustainability goals."[ii]
You can read more about all eleven Sustainability Accelerator participants here: Amazon backs next wave of climate innovation: 11 companies join Sustainability Accelerator
[i] Amazon backs next wave of climate innovation: 11 companies join Sustainability Accelerator
[ii] Ibid
Lauren has extensive experience as an analyst and market researcher in the digital technology and travel sectors. She has a background in researching and forecasting emerging technologies, with a particular passion for the Videogames and eSports industries. She joined the Critical Information Group as Head of Reports and Market Research at GRC World Forums, and leads the content and data research team at the Zero Carbon Academy. “What drew me to the academy is the opportunity to add content and commentary around sustainability across a wealth of industries and sectors.”
