Connect with our Ecosystem
We are always open to welcome forward thinking companies, start-ups/scale-ups, technology providers, research organizations, and universities interested to collaborate on chemical industry sustainability projects. You can connect with us in three ways: sharing your organization’s profile, applying to a specific ongoing project, and/or submitting an idea for a future project.
Share your organization’s profile
Are you a start-up/scale-up, research institute, tech provider or lab working on a technology or enabler to advance emissions reductions and circularity in the chemical value chain? Please fill out a short survey to let us know about your organization, your interests and offering.
Apply to join an ongoing project
We have several projects ongoing and open for applications from start-ups, technology providers and/or research institutes/labs with relevant technologies to join the project. To learn more about each project and apply to join, see here:
Share an idea for a new project
Do you have an idea for a new project to reduce emissions and advance circularity in the chemical value chain? Share your idea here and we will schedule a call for a follow-up discussion.
How the GIC Innovation Ecosystem works
Collaborate on GIC projects
We are currently on the lookout for innovators to collaborate with GIC members on our ongoing projects.
Click on the projects below to find out more and apply to join.
Circular Municipal Solid Waste
Map, simplify, and pilot circular loops in the municipal solid waste (MSW) value chain by identifying the best recycling technologies and channelling waste into high-value circular products.
PFAS Destruction
Identify, test and pilot the most effective, technically feasible & economically viable technologies to destruct short-chained PFAS commonly found in process water.
Sustainable Biomass Sourcing
Identify the best sources of second-generation sustainable biomass and the best conversion methods to create biobased chemicals and ensure valuable, quality end products.
Automotive Plastics Circularity Phase 2
Identify the most effective pathways to recover, sort, and upgrade automotive plastic streams, and determine the technologies and partnerships needed to produce high-quality recycled plastics for use in new vehicles.
Criteria we consider with your application
Complete Submission
All application forms must be filled out in full. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please ensure all required fields are accurately completed.
Alignment with GIC’s Mission
Applicants must demonstrate how their solution or approach aligns with the GIC mission and values and with the specific project requirements.
Originality & Integrity
All submissions must be original work. Plagiarism or misrepresentation will result in immediate disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
(click below to read each of the FAQs)
Download the Terms & Conditions here.
General information ->
What is the GIC Innovation Ecosystem and how does it work?
The GIC Innovation Ecosystem connects start-ups, research & technology organizations and universities together with Global Impact Coalition members to collaborate on projects to enable a net-zero chemicals future. Interested innovators can apply to contribute to our ongoing projects. The GIC will review applications to shortlist and select the most suitable contributors for each project.
How might the GIC Innovation Ecosystem evolve in the future?
We anticipate that our current offering will prove beneficial to both innovators and GIC member companies, enabling it to grow into an active and engaged community, where innovators can interact as members or partners and submit their own ideas.
Can I become a strategic partner to the GIC Innovation Ecosystem?
We plan to establish strategic partnership agreements in 2026 through a recurring annual partner fee.
Application process ->
Are applications kept confidential?
All application materials are treated with strict confidentiality.
Is there an application fee, and what does it cover?
There is currently no application fee to apply for an ongoing project currently open for calls.
How are applicants selected, and what criteria are used for evaluation?
Applicants are selected based on their alignment and scoring against criteria tailored for each project by the GIC project working group (e.g., relevant experience, research, or maturity in a specific technology).
Who can I contact for support or questions during the application process?
You can reach out to contact@wearegic.com for any support or inquiries.
Will there also be focused call-outs in the form of RfPs/RfQs?
The open calls listed on the website are not RfPs/RfQs. However, these may be issued to relevant innovators in the future as contributions are needed.
Projects ->
What is the TRL boundary within the GIC Innovation Ecosystem?
Ongoing GIC projects typically focus on technologies with a TRL of 6 or higher, although some early-stage projects may also consider technologies with lower TRLs. This approach remains flexible for both current and future GIC projects.
Can you provide examples of how innovators have been involved in GIC initiatives and projects in the past and the associated outcomes?
Over 50% of past and ongoing GIC projects have relied on or benefited from innovators in various ways. For example, we co-developed our R&D Hub for Plastic Waste Processing project with TNO who is now leading the Hub. For our direct conversion to C2+ project, we relied on ETH Zürich to conduct environmental impact and technoeconomic studies. For our automotive plastics recycling project, we brought in technology partners to execute the pilot. Projects generally last between 12 and 18 months before spinning off the GIC.
What are exit scenarios if ever becoming a key partner for a project?
Exit scenarios vary for each project on a case-by-case basis. Innovators who participate as project contributors will not necessarily become members of the project working groups or be eligible for exit scenarios.
Intellectual property ->
Who maintains the IP?
IP agreements and boundaries will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis for each project between the GIC and the involved innovator.
Contract & Legal questions ->
How are contract negotiations handled for each project?
The contract negotiation process will be managed smoothly and on a case-by-case basis by the GIC core team, with an expected short duration.
What if my organization already has a direct collaboration with one of the GIC members on a topic in a related area?
Your collaboration with the GIC will be considered separate and governed by a distinct agreement, independent of any existing commitments or contracts that innovators may have with GIC member companies.