Eleven innovative businesses are set too receive funding to tackle complex environmental challenges, as Amazon looks to trial technology from one of the winning start-ups intended to improve energy efficiency in UK fulfilment centres. The pilot projects from Amazon Sustainability Accelerator could result in long-term partnership with Amazon in Europe.
The start-ups will work with Amazon in the UK, Denmark, France, Germany and Spain to test new ways to recycle electronic waste, innovative packaging methods, ground-breaking building materials, and using AI to improve energy efficiency.
The pilots will vary in both duration and scope depending on the challenge that is being addressed, with the opportunity for wider partnerships on completion.
- To support Amazon’s packaging reduction efforts, start-ups Re-Zip and Hipli will launch pilots to ship close to 100,000 orders across France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria using reusable packaging.
- Cheesecake Energy from the UK will deploy its compressed air and thermal technology to provide safe, reliable energy storage within Amazon’s European operations, reducing emissions from electricity usage. HT Materials Science from Dublin and American-based Phaidra also have pilots in development with Amazon in the UK.
- HT Materials Science will add a nanofluid solution to the heating and cooling systems at Amazon fulfilment centres in Coventry, Daventry, and Doncaster. The aluminium-based technology, a winner of the Green Product Award, is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 14%.
- Circu Li-Ion from Luxembourg will help extend the life of Amazon’s batteries, using robots to disassemble and support batteries upcycling, giving them a second life, reducing lithium-ion waste and decreasing carbon-intensive material extraction.
Throughout the pilots, Amazon’s subject matter experts will work closely with the start-ups, offering feedback, troubleshooting assistance, and opportunities to refine their technologies to ensure they work smoothly in their respective placements. Upon completion, Amazon will assess the environmental impact, financial viability, and overall effectiveness of the pilots to determine whether any can be scaled across other sites as part of a long-term partnership.
“This programme is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving positive change,” said Justine Mahler, Sustainability Director, Amazon. “By providing a real-world testing ground for cutting-edge technologies, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also creating a blueprint for more sustainable practices across industry.”
Since launching in 2022, the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator has supported more than 40 start-ups across the UK and Europe, provided more than £1m in grants and credits, and helped those businesses on average increase sales by 700% and raise over £15m to date.
