Sending a bouquet of flowers to surprise someone is a lovely idea. But, is it actually sustainable or should you feel guilty about adding to your carbon footprint?
Whether steel, plastic, or chocolate – materials like these are as essential for our daily lives as they are for all industries. However, their production can cause significant environmental damage: high CO₂ emissions, resource consumption, and pollution. The solution from innovative startups? Not inventing new materials, but making their production more environmentally friendly. “Industries and consumers demand eco-friendly alternatives that match conventional products in quality and functionality,” explains Luisa Düsberg, investment expert at Burda’s international growth capital arm, BurdaPrincipal Investments (BPI). “That’s why we specifically support companies that drive change with groundbreaking technologies and business models.”
Three startups from BPI’s portfolio show how this vision becomes a reality: Stegra, Uluu, and Planet A Foods. They are revolutionizing established materials – from climate-friendly steel and biodegradable plastics to cocoa-free chocolate.
Steel production accounts for about eight percent of global CO₂ emissions. The Swedish company Stegra was founded in 2020 and aims to drive the decarbonization of the steel industry by using green hydrogen. Burda first invested in the company through BurdaPrincipal Investments in 2023.
Stegra relies on an eco-friendly alternative: instead of coal, green hydrogen is used to reduce iron ore. Production takes place in Boden, northern Sweden, a region rich in renewable energy. The unique feature: Stegra’s steel meets the specifications of conventional steel and can seamlessly integrate into existing production chains. Major industries such as automotive and construction receive the same quality – only climate-friendly. With 6.5 billion euros, Stegra is financing its first project, proving that sustainability and economic viability are not mutually exclusive.
Plastic is a massive environmental issue. 80 percent of all plastic ever produced still exists on Earth, with only nine percent ever being recycled. The Australian company Uluu, in which Burda has been invested since 2023, produces biodegradable PHA bioplastics made from seaweed.
Uluu’s bio-based plastic alternative offers the same properties as conventional plastics, but it is compostable and leaves no harmful residues. Seaweed cultivation binds CO₂, cleans waterways, and requires neither farmland nor freshwater. Scientists estimate that just 0.1 percent of ocean surface area would be sufficient to sustainably meet global plastic demand.
Whether packaging or textiles – Uluu’s bioplastic can be easily integrated into existing production processes. This provides a realistic alternative for a more sustainable future in the plastic industry.
Chocolate is a treat, but cocoa production is under pressure: climate change, child labor, and unstable supply chains threaten the industry. Planet A Foods offers a revolutionary solution: chocolate made from fermented sunflower seeds.
By mimicking traditional cocoa processing methods, Planet A Foods successfully replicates the taste and texture of classic chocolate – without any cocoa. This provides the company with a sustainable, stable, and scalable alternative for the food industry, ensuring chocolate consumption in the future.
With its B2B model, Planet A Foods works directly with manufacturers to reduce their CO₂ footprint and provide a reliable ingredient. Given rising cocoa prices and growing environmental issues, this alternative is becoming increasingly necessary. Burda firmly believes in Planet A Foods’ mission to revolutionize the chocolate industry and invested in the Munich-based food startup for the first time at the end of 2024.
The examples of Stegra, Uluu, and Planet A Foods show: Sustainable innovations don’t need to rethink the material itself, but rather its production. This approach allows for transforming established industries without disrupting existing processes. The demand for such solutions is growing – and with it, the potential for profitable, eco-friendly business models.
BPI is capitalizing on this development and investing in companies that combine sustainability with economic viability. “Sustainability is not just a responsibility for us, but a driver for innovation, scalability, and long-term economic success,” explains Luisa. Because one thing is clear: The future belongs to the materials that not only shape our world but also protect it.
