Solar Materials Recognized as Top 1% Scale-Up at Founders Games 2024
Solar Materials Recognized as Top 1% Scale-Up at Founders Games 2024
We are excited to share that Solar Materials has been recognized as a Top 1% Scale-Up at the Founders Games 2024 by the WEBIT Foundation. This incredible honor highlights our efforts to revolutionize the solar industry and underscores the global potential of our mission to create a circular economy for solar energy.
About the Founders Games by WEBIT Foundation
The Founders Games is one of the world’s most prestigious start-up and scale-up challenges, bringing together visionary entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across the globe. With over 3,000 companies competing, being ranked in the top 1% is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the innovation and impact driving Solar Materials forward.
As one of the elite few to receive this recognition, we are proud to stand among trailblazers who are shaping the future across industries.
What Being a Top 1% Scale-Up Means to Us
This recognition as a Top 1% Scale-Up fuels our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in solar recycling and sustainability. It inspires us to:
- Continue innovating and improving our technologies.
- Scale our solutions to reach more markets worldwide.
- Advocate for sustainability and circular economy practices in the renewable energy sector.
The Power of Collaboration
The Founders Games provided an unparalleled platform for connecting with world-class mentors, investors, and industry leaders. Presenting our vision to such a distinguished audience not only brought valuable insights but also opened doors to new partnerships that will help us scale our impact even further.
Competing alongside some of the world’s brightest minds reminded us of the collective potential we hold to address global challenges. This achievement isn’t just about Solar Materials—it’s about the growing momentum toward a sustainable future.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re already focused on what’s next. Our journey is far from over, and the road ahead is filled with opportunities to make solar energy even greener and more sustainable.
We want to thank the WEBIT Foundation and the Founders Games for this incredible honor and for creating a platform where visionary ideas can thrive. To our team, partners, and supporters—this achievement is yours as much as it is ours.
Together, we’re proving that sustainability and innovation are the keys to a brighter, greener future. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to lead the charge for a truly circular solar industry!
SOLAR MATERIALS
About SOLAR MATERIALS
With the aim to close the raw material cycle in the solar industry, SOLAR MATERIALS developed its own patented recycling technology for solar modules, which recovers all raw materials from end-of-life solar modules, including silver and silicon economically.
Winning Gold at the European Solar Sustainability Award 2024
Winning Gold at the European Solar Sustainability Award 2024
Solar Materials has achieved a landmark milestone by winning the prestigious Gold Winner – European Solar Sustainability Award 2024. This recognition not only celebrates the company’s innovative approach to solar panel recycling but also reinforces its commitment to driving sustainability in the renewable energy sector.
Leading the Charge Toward a Sustainable Solar Future
At Solar Materials, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our mission is to transform the solar industry into a circular economy, ensuring that solar energy remains as green as it promises to be. Winning this award is a testament to the vision, dedication, and expertise that our team brings to this mission every day.
By adopting innovative recycling processes, Solar Materials has set a new standard for how end-of-life solar panels are handled. This breakthrough approach has been instrumental in addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the need for a sustainable lifecycle for solar modules.
Revolutionizing Solar Panel Recycling
The project that earned Solar Materials this top honor centers on its state-of-the-art automated recycling process, which is both efficient and environmentally friendly. Unlike conventional methods that rely on shredding and basic material sorting, Solar Materials has developed a unique system capable of recovering 98% of the raw materials from used solar panels.
What makes this process exceptional is its impact:
- 80% Lower Carbon Footprint: The recycled materials from Solar Materials have a significantly reduced environmental impact compared to primary raw materials.
- Conservation of Resources: By reclaiming valuable materials like glass, silicon, and metals, the process minimizes waste and conserves natural resources.
- Closed-Loop Sustainability: This innovative approach supports the creation of a circular economy, ensuring that solar panels can be recycled and repurposed for future use.
Through these efforts, Solar Materials is proving that a sustainable solar industry is not only achievable but also vital for the global fight against climate change.
The Role of Sustainability in Solar Energy
Sustainability has always been the cornerstone of solar energy’s promise. While solar power is clean and renewable, its true environmental impact depends on the entire lifecycle of the panels themselves. Without effective recycling methods, solar panels risk becoming an environmental burden once they reach the end of their life cycle.
Solar Materials addresses this challenge head-on by ensuring that solar panels can be reused and their components reintegrated into the supply chain. By closing the loop, the company supports the broader renewable energy movement, showcasing how the solar industry can lead the way in environmental stewardship.
Why Industry Recognition Matters
Winning the European Solar Sustainability Award 2024 is more than just a proud moment for Solar Materials—it’s a beacon of inspiration for the entire industry. Awards like these:
- Spotlight Innovation: They highlight groundbreaking solutions that pave the way for a more sustainable future.
- Encourage Collaboration: Sharing best practices fosters industry-wide progress and innovation.
- Inspire Action: By celebrating success, awards motivate others to adopt more sustainable practices.
For Solar Materials, this accolade reinforces its commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering impactful solutions. It’s a reminder that bold ideas, backed by dedicated teams, can drive meaningful change.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Solar Materials celebrates this achievement, the company remains focused on its mission: revolutionizing solar panel recycling and advancing a sustainable solar industry. This award is a milestone, but the journey doesn’t stop here.
With the recognition and momentum from the European Solar Sustainability Award 2024, Solar Materials is more determined than ever to lead the charge toward a truly circular economy for solar energy.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and inspire a greener future.
Solar Materials Wins KfW Award Gründen 2024: Landessieg Sachsen-Anhalt
KfW Award Gründen 2024: SOLAR MATERIALS wins Landessieg Sachsen-Anhalt
We’re thrilled to announce that Solar Materials has been named the KfW Award Gründen 2024 Landessieger for Sachsen-Anhalt! This prestigious accolade highlights our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurial excellence in creating a circular economy for the solar industry.
What Is the KfW Award Gründen?
The KfW Award Gründen recognizes outstanding start-ups across Germany that are shaping the future with innovative business models and sustainable practices. With a focus on economic success, social impact, and forward-thinking solutions, this award celebrates companies that are making a difference in their industries and communities.
Winning the Landessieg Sachsen-Anhalt is a testament to Solar Materials’ pioneering work in transforming solar panel recycling and contributing to a sustainable future.
A Vision for a Circular Solar Economy
At Solar Materials, we’re driven by a clear mission: to close the loop in the solar industry. By developing advanced recycling technologies, we ensure that end-of-life solar panels don’t become waste but instead are valuable resources for the next generation of clean energy solutions.
Our proprietary recycling process:
- Recovers 98% of raw materials from used solar panels.
- Reduces the carbon footprint of these materials by 80% compared to primary resources.
- Promotes a truly sustainable lifecycle for solar energy.
This approach not only supports environmental goals but also strengthens the economic viability of renewable energy by reducing dependency on virgin resources.
Why This Award Matters
The KfW Award Gründen shines a spotlight on the importance of innovation and sustainability in building a better future. For Solar Materials, winning this award in Sachsen-Anhalt reflects the hard work and passion of our team, as well as the support of the local community and industry.
Being recognized as a leader in entrepreneurship and sustainability motivates us to continue pushing boundaries, solving complex challenges, and contributing to the renewable energy transition.
Putting Sachsen-Anhalt on the Map
As a start-up rooted in Sachsen-Anhalt, Solar Materials is proud to represent the region on a national stage. This award not only acknowledges our achievements but also highlights the growing ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in Sachsen-Anhalt.
We’re honored to be part of a dynamic community of forward-thinking businesses that are driving progress and making meaningful contributions to both the local economy and the global fight against climate change.
SOLAR MATERIALS
About SOLAR MATERIALS
With the aim to close the raw material cycle in the solar industry, SOLAR MATERIALS developed its own patented recycling technology for solar modules, which recovers all raw materials from end-of-life solar modules, including silver and silicon economically.
Why Sharing Our Mission Matters: Insights from a CleanTech Startup
Why Sharing Our Mission Matters: Insights from a CleanTech Startup
As a fast growing CleanTech startup, time is the most limited resource. Balancing priorities and managing the demands of a growing company often means that outreach and public engagement can feel like “extra.” However, at SOLAR MATERIALS, we see immense value in taking time to engage with the public, even with a packed schedule. Here’s why we believe it’s worth it:
Building Community Trust: Recycling with Responsibility
Every company operates within a specific community context—whether it’s through our employees, our physical presence, or the direct impact of our operations. Recycling companies, in particular, often face unique challenges. On the one hand, society strongly supports sustainable recycling efforts; on the other, many communities are hesitant to host recycling facilities due to perceived environmental concerns.
By opening our doors and showcasing what sustainable recycling truly entails, we demonstrate how responsible operations can coexist with local communities. For us, this means being transparent about our methods, processes, and safety standards to address concerns and foster trust with our neighbors.
Confronting Misconceptions About Solar Panel Recycling
One of the common myths we encounter is the belief that solar panels are difficult, unprofitable, or even impossible to recycle responsibly. But, at SOLAR MATERIALS, we’re committed to proving otherwise. Recycling solar panels is not only feasible but essential for a sustainable energy future. This process allows us to recover valuable materials and feed them back into the economy, helping to close the loop in the renewable energy lifecycle.
We believe that providing clear information on how and why solar panel recycling works is crucial in dispelling these misconceptions. By sharing our approach, we hope to build broader understanding and support for recycling as an integral part of green energy solutions.
Informing Policy Through Public Engagement
In a democracy, policy is shaped by the choices and opinions of the public. At SOLAR MATERIALS, we recognize that the public—our neighbors, customers, and citizens—ultimately elects the policymakers who create the regulatory frameworks affecting our industry. While regulations aim to support the green transition, gaps often exist between legislative intent and practical implementation.
Our goal in engaging with the public is to bridge these gaps. By demonstrating where theory and real-world challenges diverge, we can contribute to the discussion on creating realistic, actionable policy. This engagement is key to shaping a legal environment that supports sustainable innovation while balancing industry feasibility.
Creating a Space for Dialogue
When I have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders—whether with national leaders like Robert Habeck, local policymakers like Sven Schulz, or members of foundations like the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung—I’m reminded of the power of open dialogue. These exchanges allow us to share the realities and challenges of recycling technology while listening to diverse perspectives that shape our industry.
At SOLAR MATERIALS, our mission goes beyond business. We aim to be part of a larger, collaborative effort toward a sustainable future. By taking the time to share our insights, we’re not only informing others but also building the trust and understanding needed to move forward in partnership with society.
SOLAR MATERIALS
About SOLAR MATERIALS
With the aim to close the raw material cycle in the solar industry, SOLAR MATERIALS developed its own patented recycling technology for solar modules, which recovers all raw materials from end-of-life solar modules, including silver and silicon economically.
German minister for Economic Affairs and Climate protection meets technology leader in solar recycling
German minister for Economic Affairs and Climate protection meets technology leader in solar recycling
Habeck visits SOLAR MATERIALS solar panel recycling plant in Magdeburg
Magdeburg. On Thursday, 11 July 2024, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection in Germany, Robert Habeck, visited SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH the technology leader in the recycling of solar modules in Magdeburg.
During his visit, Habeck emphasised the importance of recycling solar modules for the German economy and climate protection. Germany is at the forefront of the global solar boom. The world’s first market for the recycling of solar modules is therefore emerging here. By 2035, a quarter of a million tonnes of solar modules will be ready for recycling. The reason for the end of life is weather damage, production defects or age. SOLAR MATERIALS is already receiving recycling requests in the order of several hundred lorries.
The speed of authorisation procedures for the storage of solar modules was also discussed with Habeck. These take months, even though the authorities have no concerns and the storage areas are ready to go.
The EU POP Regulation, which requires declaration analyses for more than 130,000 module types, also jeopardises competitiveness in solar recycling. This is because some manufacturers no longer exist or customers do not have the data sheets.
Bundeswirtschaftsminister Habeck trifft Technologieführer im Solarrecycling
Magdeburg. Am Donnerstag, dem 11. Juli 2024, besuchte der Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, Robert Habeck, die SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH in Magdeburg, den Technologieführer beim Recycling von Solarmodulen.
Mit seinem Besuch hat Habeck die Bedeutung des Recyclings von Solarmodulen für die deutsche Wirtschaft sowie den Klimaschutz hervorgehoben. Deutschland ist Vorreiter des globalen Solar-Booms. Somit entsteht hier weltweit der erste Markt für das Recycling der Solarmodule. Bis zum Jahr 2035 sind eine Viertel Millionen Tonnen Solarmodule bereit für das Recycling. Der Grund für das Lebensende sind Wetterschäden,Produktionsfehler oder das Alter. Bereits heute erhält SOLAR MATERIALS Recyclinganfragen in Größenordnungen von mehreren hundert LKWs.
Zudem wurde mit Habeck über die Geschwindigkeit von Genehmigungsverfahren zur Lagerung von Solarmodulen diskutiert. Diese dauern Monate, obwohl aus Sicht der Behörden keine Bedenken bestehen und die Lagerflächen startklar sind.
Auch die EU-POP-Verordnung, die Deklarationsanalysen für mehr als 130.000 Modultypen vorsieht, gefährdet die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit im Solarrecycling. Denn Hersteller existieren teilweise nicht mehr oder Kunden besitzen die Datenblätter nicht.
SOLAR MATERIALS
About SOLAR MATERIALS
With the aim to close the raw material cycle in the solar industry, SOLAR MATERIALS developed its own patented recycling technology for solar modules, which recovers all raw materials from end-of-life solar modules, including silver and silicon economically.
SOLAR MATERIALS increases the company’s annual recycling capacity to 10,000 tons
SOLAR MATERIALS to build industrial scale recycling plant for solar panels to increase the company’s annual recycling capacity to 10,000 tons
Magdeburg 04.06.2024 – SOLAR MATERIALS, a cleantech startup from Magdeburg for solar panel recycling, announced the successful closing of its EUR 12.2 million Series A round. With the funding, the company builds its first industrial sized recycling plant in Magdeburg and increases its recycling capacity to over 10,000 tons or 500,000 solar panels per year.
“The new plant will be commissioned around May 2025 at a new site in Magdeburg and will create around 20 new jobs in the region.” says co-founder Fridolin Franke. The plant will act as the company’s blueprint for the international rollout, as the volume of solar panel waste is growing exponentially globally. “We already plan to open a second site for the primary treatment of solar panels in southern Germany this year as we see increasing demand in Germany, as today’s largest solar panel recycling market” comments Fridolin Franke further.
The financing round was funded by the company’s existing investors bmp Ventures with the IBG funds, First Imagine!, and Katapult with an additional grant component of the EIC Accelerator.
Boris Dorin, Partner at First Imagine!, comments
“SOLAR MATERIALS could quickly position itself in the German recycling market, which is currently Europe’s largest market. This proofed the solution to be technically and commercially feasible. Since our investment into the up and running pilot, the company demonstrated its technology to be robust, scalable, and efficient to become a global solution. SOLAR MATERIALS underlines our mission to support great cleantech companies to create a sustainable future and build a circular economy.”
The investment into the first industrial recycling plant is the response to the rapidly increasing demand. Since November 2023, SOLAR MATERIALS recycles solar panels as a certified waste treatment company for solar panels and proofed their technology on commercial scale. “In the minute we were fully certified, we received overwhelming request for our recycling services and the recycled raw materials. With the current backlog of orders and request, recycling volumes already fill our capacity for the next year.” comments co-founder Dr. Jan-Philipp Mai.
Innovative solution for an urgent problem
Solar is one of the pillars of the energy transition and recycling solar panels plays a crucial role to achieve truly green solar energy. Over 100 million tons of solar panels are already installed, and they are an important source of raw materials. Today’s recycling processes are based on the traditional shredding and sorting recycling approach. While this allows glass, copper and aluminum to be recovered, the functional materials of the solar cells silicon and silver are lost. SOLAR MATERIALS has developed its own process to recover the previously lost raw materials silicon and silver.
David Stuck, Principal at bmp Ventures and the responsible investment manager, says
“SOLAR MATERIALS has succeeded in positioning itself as a leading technology player in an attractive growth market thanks to its professional setup, strong founders and its ESG and impact-compliant business model – keyword Circular Economy. SOLAR MATERIALS thus not only underpins our successful investment approach but can also make a significant contribution to the global and sustainable energy transition. The company’s ambitious expansion targets can be further accelerated with the conclusion of the Series A financing round. In addition, we will closely support the management and help develop the company to a new size level.”
Global perspective
As the volume of solar panel waste is rising globally, it becomes more and more important to establish collecting systems and recycling plants in other countries as well. A look at the overall balance sheet of SOLAR MATERIALS’ technology shows that cost-effectiveness and ecology are not mutually exclusive. Not only is the process economically sustainable, but the recycled raw materials require about 80% less energy than their primary production. Jan Bargel, co-founder & CTO explains “With the first of a kind (FOAK) industrial plant we will proof our technology to be easy to operate, highly scalable, and thus a perfect solution to tackle the global challenge.”
Carl Strøm Walton, Investment Director at Katapult VC, a leading Norwegian climate tech-focused fund and accelerator, adds
“Since originally investing in SOLAR MATERIALS back in 2022, we have worked closely with the team and become ever more impressed and convinced by their vision and the viability of their unique solution. The SOLAR MATERIALS solution can be game-changing in solving circularity of raw materials in the solar energy space. This Series A represents a critical inflection point in the journey as it paves the way for their industrial scale FOAK site which will act as the blueprint towards global expansion.”
With the financing round now completed, the company considers itself well equipped to respond to the growing demand and make solar energy a real green energy source.
“This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101145463.”
About the IBG Funds
The IBG funds, headquartered in Magdeburg, are the venture capital funds of the country of Saxony-Anhalt – they provide capital to young, innovative technology companies with sustainable and above average growth potential, based in Saxony-Anhalt. By the end of 2023, IBG launched the new venture capital fund, RKF IV, with a volume of 63 million euros. The fund is financed by the state and the European Union and invests in innovative startups in Saxony-Anhalt in the seed, early stage, and expansion. The IBG funds are managed by bmp Ventures AG.
About bmp Ventures
With a track record of over 250 investments across nearly all technology segments, mainly in the early-stage phase, bmp Ventures is one of the most experienced venture capital investors in Germany. In addition to direct investments, bmp managed venture capital funds for institutions such as the KfW Banking Group and DEG, the German Investment and Development Corporation. Currently, bmp oversees the IBG funds in Saxony-Anhalt and employs approximately 20 experts across its Berlin and Magdeburg locations.
About Katapult
Katapult VC is a global investment company focusing on early stage impact driven technology startups. Over the last 7 years, Katapult has made 169 investments in impact tech startups from 47 different countries. Katapult has primarily invested within three verticals: Ocean, Climate and Africa. In 2021, Katapult launched the Katapult Foundation with the aim of building a larger network around impact investing. Katapult also hosts the annual Katapult Future Fest in Oslo, bringing together founders, investors and some of the most prominent figures within impact investment.
About First Imagine
First Imagine! is a European-based venture investor exclusively focused on the energy transition, covering a broad range of technologies from energy generation to transmission and distribution, to consumption and demand management. First Imagine! specifically targets startups at the early commercialization stage, primarily in Europe (EU, UK, Nordics) and Israel.
Established in 2016, First Imagine! has a distributed team with over 50 years of combined expertise in the power industry to help startups in the energy transition space to grow and thrive, while contributing to a more sustainable future.
About SOLAR MATERIALS
The cleantech startup SOLAR MATERIALS develops technologies for recycling solar panels. With their patented recycling process, all raw materials of the solar modules to be recycled can be recovered economically. The focus is particularly on the functional materials silver and silicon as well as high-quality glass to close the raw material cycle of solar and contributes to a green energy supply.