--- title: MCCH Sustainable Materials Challenge 2027 description: "This free online challenge suits startups ready to scale up their sustainable materials solutions! \nMatch-making contest between startups or scaleups and leading agrifood corporations." image: https://apply.masschallenge.org/hubfs/SMC-Application2027_1200x628.png --- [![Switzerland\_Horizontal BLANC-4](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Switzerland_Horizontal%20BLANC-4.png?width=300&height=43&name=Switzerland_Horizontal%20BLANC-4.png "Switzerland_Horizontal BLANC-4")](https://masschallenge.org/programs-switzerland/) # SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS CHALLENGE 2027 Get your idea exposed to global corporations and gain the chance of a pilot or investment. Our match-making contest finds you the right partner to scale up. [![Apply Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1955252/cafc38f0-6fab-438c-82e7-cbb0d101676f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1955252/cafc38f0-6fab-438c-82e7-cbb0d101676f) # Sustainable Materials Challenge 2027 - Applications Are Open ## MAIN INFO --- - Deadline: November 25. - Any questions: Check the different sections below and Q&A. - Our contact: *[switzerland@masschallenge.org](mailto:switzerland@masschallenge.org)* - ♻️ Your solution is more oriented towards AgriFood? Check the [Sustainable Food Challenge.](https://apply.masschallenge.org/en-us/mcch-sustainable-food-challenge-2026?hsLang=es-mx) ## HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS --- - **Online -** Relevant applicants will be **presented to partner corporations**; - **Online -** Selected startups will be **invited to meet** with R&D, open innovation, sustainability executives, and business unit heads for further discussion and to evaluate the potential for collaboration; - **Online -** We expect that this will **result in proof of concepts, partnerships, and investments** for several of the startups; - **In-person -** In addition to the above, each partner will select one start-up to **pitch their joint collaboration idea** at the *Sustainable Materials Challenge Day in June 2027,* where all of our corporate partners will attend. This will be a physical event in Switzerland; - It is anticipated that partners and startups will then **work together to scale the startups' ideas** through the partners’ businesses. ## ABOUT THE CHALLENGE ---   Making, using, and disposing of the materials we rely on (from steel and cement to plastics and coatings) accounts for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.\*   **MassChallenge believes startups and corporations can help.** Startups can play a unique role in bringing new disruptive ideas to the table. Corporations can play a critical role in scaling these ideas and bringing benefits to society quickly.  We have been running a challenge around sustainable food for 7 years with 3,500 startups who have applied, with over 570 connected to partners for discussions. Of these, over half were involved in a detailed follow-up discussion - check the success stories segment. We are now opening a new challenge around sustainable materials.  MassChallenge’s partners are seeking startups developing novel materials that are sourced, produced, or used in ways that minimise environmental impact and support long-term ecological balance. These innovations aim to enable lower emissions & waste, improve performance & reduce cost, and make supply chains more resilient & secure. Many breakthrough materials solutions stall without access to the right infrastructure or industry connections. MassChallenge’s partners span entire value chains, bringing unique expertise and capabilities, from sourcing and production, to processing and conversion to end-use applications. They offer startups the opportunity to pilot, co-develop, and scale their solutions accelerating real-world impact and market adoption.    \*[https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sector](https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sector)   ## THE STARTUPS WE'RE LOOKING FOR # Our partners: [SIG,](https://www.sig.biz/en) [Bühler Group,](https://www.buhlergroup.com/content/buhlergroup/global/en/homepage.html%22%20/t%20%22_blank) [Givaudan,](https://www.givaudan.com/%22%20/t%20%22_blank) [Louis Dreyfus Company,](https://www.ldc.com/%22%20/t%20%22_blank) and [Mars](https://www.mars.com/), are looking for startups or scaleups, with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of: --- # ![Materials 2027\_2](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Materials%202027_2.png?width=927&height=927&name=Materials%202027_2.png) ![ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN-1](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ACROSS%20THE%20VALUE%20CHAIN-1.png?width=915&height=152&name=ACROSS%20THE%20VALUE%20CHAIN-1.png) 1. **Bio-Based & Alternative Materials** - Bio-based polymers (e.g. PHA, PLA) - Bio-composites and natural fibres - Mycelium, proteins and other bio-based materials - Algae, seaweed and novel bio-based feedstocks - Bio-hybrid polymers and biodegradable polymer alternatives 2. **Low-Carbon & Circular Materials** - Low-carbon cement, concrete and alternative binders - Carbon-negative materials - Recycled-content materials - CO₂-derived materials - Durable, reusable and recyclable material solutions - Recycled-content polymers and composites, circular feedstocks and low-carbon substitutes 3. **Functional & High-Performance Materials** - Barrier coatings and surface treatments - Functional additives, inks, dyes and pigments - Adhesives and sealants - Encapsulation and controlled release - Antimicrobial and other performance-enhancing materials - Optical and conductive polymers, thermal management, EMI shielding, battery binders and polymer electrolytes 4. **Fibre, Paper & Molded Materials** - Paper and cellulose-based materials - Molded fibre and fibre-based packaging - Engineered natural fibres and composites - Functionalized non-plastic substrates and recyclable and reusable fibre materials 5. **Waste & Side-Stream Valorisation** - Conversion of agricultural, forestry and food waste - Industrial by-products and residues - Textile and other waste streams as feedstock - Upcycling into new materials - Food-processing by-products, biomass-derived materials and industrial and textile waste streams 6. **Advanced Processing & Circularity Technologies** - Fermentation and biomanufacturing - Enzymatic and chemical recycling - Sorting, separation and purification technologies - Low-energy and solvent-free processing - Additive manufacturing and novel production methods - Technologies enabling reuse and closed-loop systems - Microplastics prevention and removal, precision and additive manufacturing, and closed-loop technologies ⭐ All startups that have a fit with our Partners in the above fields will be connected and invited to a 1:1 call or DemoDay.  ♻️ This Sustainable Materials Challenge especially seeks **materials startups that could increase circularity, transforming sidestreams** into valuable assets. We will connect startups to MassChallenge’s partners who are both producers and users of side streams or the ingredients resulting out of it. This could result in a startup helping a partner turn waste into a product, that could be sold to another partner.   ## BENEFITS FOR THE SELECTED STARTUPS --- **Startups and Corporate Partners engage together to drive change toward a sustainable world and lead global impact.** This Challenge allows them to work together, create a joint pitch, and scale up innovative solutions, faster than they could alone. **All startups participating in the Challenge will get:** 1. **A direct pathway to multi-national corporations:**If shortlisted by our partners, MassChallenge will introduce you to representatives of the partners, including senior R&D, open innovation managers, sustainability executives, and business unit heads. You will talk to the right stakeholders in these organizations, you will have their full attention from the start, and will explore ways to collaborate with them. 2. **The ability to scale your technology with them:** After the initial meeting we foresee a detailed sharing of information, most likely covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement, and then the creation of a joint pilot to evaluate the scaling potential of the product. Startups could then become suppliers to the corporation, partners in some form of venture, or receive investment. Every step is totally at the corporation and startup's discretion, and there is no obligation to proceed unless the startup and corporation wish. 3. **Publicity and more connections**: each corporate partner will invite a startup that they shortlisted to our flagship event, the MassChallenge Sustainable Materials Challenge Day, in June 2027. Here, the startup will present their solution, that when scaled will feed the planet sustainably, to all our corporate partners, resulting in more connections and the potential to work with other corporates. This event will be subject to press releases from MassChallenge and some of our corporate partners, providing visibility to the startups. Selected startups will receive 1,000CHF to contribute towards travel to the event. ![SFM2027-2](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SFM2027-2.png?width=394&height=985&name=SFM2027-2.png)   ### ABOUT MASSCHALLENGE --- MassChallenge is the global network for innovators and world’s largest equity-free accelerator. Headquartered in the United States with five locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. Since launching in 2016, MassChallenge Switzerland has been a leader in helping startups across the world grow their businesses, accelerating more than **1,175 startups** that have raised over CHF 2.9 billion and created 86,400 direct & indirect jobs. Learn [more here](https://masschallenge.org/programs-switzerland/) and follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/masschallenge).    ### [INNOVATION BLOG](https://masschallenge.org/articles/) --- ### Circular and Functional: The Race to Reinvent Packaging The race to make packaging both circular and functional is intensifying, and the industry faces unprecedented pressure.  On one hand, the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030 and strengthens reuse mandates. In parallel, consumer behavior is driving change: people are more aware than ever of the environmental impact of packaging, and expectations for truly sustainable alternatives are rising fast. Yet, despite this momentum, many promising sustainable materials still struggle to reach the market because they lack integration with existing industrial processes. Without early collaboration between innovators and manufacturers, even strong technical solutions struggle to scale.  A new generation of startups, supported by MassChallenge Switzerland, is changing that by designing materials that perform on today’s lines while meeting future sustainability standards. **[Read more here](https://masschallenge.org/articles/circular-packaging/).** ![https://masschallenge.org/articles/circular-packaging/](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Circular%20Packaging%20visual%202-png.png?width=418&height=278&name=Circular%20Packaging%20visual%202-png.png)   MassChallenge Startups Leading the Way in Tackling Climate Change As climate change and sustainability top the world’s concerns, more and more startups are addressing them directly with innovative solutions. Many MassChallenge Switzerland alumni, for instance, are making a significant impact in their fields, demonstrating how targeted support and mentorship can help early-stage ventures succeed. [Read more here](https://masschallenge.org/articles/impact-startups/). [![Climate Change](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Change.png?width=1200&height=800&name=Climate%20Change.png)](https://masschallenge.org/articles/impact-startups/)   ### THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS | [![Bühler](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Buhler_Logo_MCCH-png.png?width=176&height=100&name=Buhler_Logo_MCCH-png.png)](https://www.buhlergroup.com/content/buhlergroup/global/en/locations/United-Kingdom-London-Buhler-UK-Limited-United-Kingdom.html) | [![Louis Dreyfus Company](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/LouisDreyfusCo_Logo_MCCH-png.png?width=179&height=102&name=LouisDreyfusCo_Logo_MCCH-png.png)](https://www.ldc.com/) | | --- | --- | | [![Givaudan](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Givaudan_Logo_MCCH-png.png?width=176&height=100&name=Givaudan_Logo_MCCH-png.png)](https://www.givaudan.com/) | [![SIG\_Logo-300x167](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SIG_Logo-300x167.png?width=300&height=167&name=SIG_Logo-300x167.png)](https://www.sig.biz/en) | | | [![Mars](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Mars_MC%20website-png-1.png?width=227&height=928&name=Mars_MC%20website-png-1.png)](https://www.mars.com/) |   ### PARTNERSHIP STORY ### [NoPalm and Bühler](https://masschallenge.org/case-study/collaboration-agrifood-change/) The partnership between NoPalm Ingredients and Bühler is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation to drive positive change. ![NoPalm-Bühler](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NoPalm-B%C3%BChler.png?width=293&height=195&name=NoPalm-B%C3%BChler.png) ### PAST WINNERS ![SFC-SMC\_finalists2026\_singlebanner\_1080x10809](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SFC-SMC_finalists2026_singlebanner_1080x10809.png?width=4500&height=4500&name=SFC-SMC_finalists2026_singlebanner_1080x10809.png) [Biozein](https://biozein.com/) was the Materials Grand Winner 2026. By the Final in June, 11 winners had already engaged in follow-up conversations with corporate partners and potential investors. These discussions create opportunities for pilots, commercial partnerships, co-development projects, and strategic collaborations that help transform innovation into real-world impact. [Discover the outcome of the 2026 Challenge here.](https://masschallenge.org/news/sfm-challenge-final-2026/) ### GET MORE NEWS ---   [![HQ Standard\_Horizontal\_ Transparent](https://apply.masschallenge.org/hs-fs/hubfs/HQ%20Standard_Horizontal_%20Transparent.png?width=1671&height=225&name=HQ%20Standard_Horizontal_%20Transparent.png "HQ Standard_Horizontal_ Transparent")](https://masschallenge.org/) © Copyright 2025 MassChallenge, Inc. All rights reserved.