The young KUORI team at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in Brugg-Windisch is developing an alternative to plastic. “What drives me every morning is the opportunity to achieve something and break boundaries,” says Sarah Harbarth, the CEO and co-founder of the company.
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Swiss start-up seeks plastic substitute
Using banana peel and other natural ingredients, the Swiss start-up KUORI is developing a material to replace plastic. Its experiments have already led to shoe soles, small tyres and products for the outdoor sector. KUORI is as systematic in its approach to research as it is strategic in its protection of intellectual property (IP). We visited the team in Brugg-Windisch to find out more.
Arthur Groth is CTO and IP Manager. Sarah Habarth is co-founder and CEO. Copyright: IPI
For their experiments, they use material from organic waste, among other things. Their experiments started with banana peel. Today, the recipe for their material includes walnut shells and olive pits. The material consists of several components. Their first eureka moment was during the proof of concept for a shoe, says founder Harbarth in an interview with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). That’s when they realised that the idea really works. Protecting intellectual property is crucial for the cleantech start-up. “Our business strategy is based on it,” stresses Arthur Groth, the CTO and IP manager at KUORI.
Take a look inside KUORI’s laboratory with us and find out what the plastic substitute involves, what IP rights they use and how the start-up’s name came about.
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