Circular economy

Plastic waste is a big problem, but less so if it can be turned into second-hand plastic or even oil. That’s the market investment fund Infinity Recycling operates in.

The Dutch sustainable lender is calling for “an urgent shift” from a wasteful and linear system to a restorative and circular economy, and believes the financial sector has a role to play.

The new venture fund will invest in European early-stage startups in the climate tech, impact infrastructure and inclusion tech sectors, led by diverse founders who are often overlooked by financial institutions.

Plus, 3i Group, Mirova and Banque des Territoires invest €60m in e-mobility | Emerging markets outpace US and UK firms in gender equality | Northern Horizon starts new care home fund

Plus, UK farmers offered finance scheme to reduce costs and decarbonise | Wattron, a specialist in digital heating systems for the packaging industry raises €12m.

Leo Holwerda, director capital, Invest-NL, the Netherlands’ main national promotional institution, on why it pays to make finance available for what may seem ‘unfinanceable’.

Swiss-based Una Terra has invested €2m to support the global growth and impact goals of the New York-based luxury ready-to-wear firm which focuses on circularity and sustainable supply chains.

The investment in Nepra addresses “a clear climate challenge”,  the Swiss specialist impact investor said.

The fund has invested in Rift Labs, a lighting company helping to increase crop yields and reduce water consumption and pesticide use, and Looping, a company tackling transport plastic packaging waste.

The Dutch insect breeder also gets the backing from the InvestEU programme to scale up its sustainable protein production.