Q1 2026 Satino: How material innovation is delivering measurable sustainability outcomes in commercial washrooms Featuring: Interail Cert SRL: Best Railway Certification & Consultancy Company 2025
AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Welcome to the first quarterly instalment of EU Business News Magazine for 2026. From innovative nitrogen electrolyser technology to measurable sustainability outcomes for commercial washrooms, ethical hospitality software to outstanding railway certification consultancy, and more, this quarter’s issue is a celebration of evolution across the bustling region. It is a pleasure to highlight all that Europe is delivering to us, whether we are in Europe or not. The world is being impacted by technological advancements every single day, and sometimes it may seem difficult to keep up with the pace. This is where EU Business News comes in, as we aim to bring all the latest news, features, and informative pieces from across Europe. We hope you enjoy perusing this issue’s pages and we wish you a prosperous few months ahead. Next, we look forward to welcoming you back for more updates and success stories in Q2. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.eubusinessnews.com Editors Letter
4. News - Sungrow Presents DCCoupled Solution to Redefine PV-ESS System Value in Europe - Blockchain.com & Ondo Finance Launch Onchain Tokenized U.S. Stocks Across Europe 6. Why Colocation Economics Are Forcing a Rethink. And Why “Close to London” Is Now Smarter Than “In London” 8. Interail Cert SRL: Best Railway Certification & Consultancy Company 2025 10. GoodGuest: Ethical Hospitality Pioneer of the Year 2025 – Italy 11. Atmonia: Global Leaders in Nitrogen Electrolyser Technology 2025 12. How material innovation is delivering measurable sustainability outcomes in commercial washrooms Contents
NEWS Sungrow Presents DCCoupled Solution to Redefine PV-ESS System Value in Europe t the Sungrow PV & ESS Summit, Sungrow presented the SinglePlatform Design for DC-Coupled PV-ESS Solution, featuring the 1+X modular inverter with dedicated storage interface, PowerTitan 3.0 with built-in DC/DC module, and the PV-ESS Synergy Management System. Built on a SinglePlatform PV-ESS design, the solution enhances operational efficiency, supports flexible energy dispatch, and strengthens grid compatibility for large-scale European solar projects. Seamless PV-Storage Coordination: Driving Enhanced System Performance Built on the Single-Platform PV-ESS design, the system supports up to 8 hours of discharge, a high DC/AC ratio of up to 2.0, As the energy transition accelerates, PV-plus-storage is increasingly adopted in European large-scale solar plants. According to BloombergNEF, cumulative PV-plus-storage capacity in Europe is expected to exceed 15 GWh by 2029. However, high costs, efficiency limitations, and solar curtailment continue to constrain the economic potential of these systems. A and ESS power utilization of up to 100%. By optimizing energy arbitrage across peak and off-peak price periods, the system enables reliable 24/7 green power supply while delivering holistic optimization across system cost, energy conversion and power regulation —laying the foundation for enhanced project value. Optimized Costs and Efficiency Across the Full Project Lifecycle By eliminating the need for a separate Power Conversion System (PCS) and MV station (MVS) and significantly reducing AC cabling requirements, the DC-coupled architecture delivers substantial cost savings. For a typical 100 MW PV + 200 MWh storage project, this can save up to €1 million on CAPAX. Meanwhile, the DC-coupled solution improves overall energy conversion efficiency by 3–5%, enhancing long-term project economics. Beyond hardware optimization, the Single-Platform PV-ESS design enhances lifecycle performance from delivery to operation. During the delivery phase, the integrated architecture streamlines installation and commissioning, enabling faster grid connection. During operation, adaptive control software maintains optimal performance under varying conditions, while Sungrow's localized European service network and one-stop after-sales support ensure efficient and reliable system management. Together, these capabilities enable high operational efficiency throughout the lifecycle, ultimately maximizing asset returns for large-scale PVplus-storage projects in Europe. Intelligent Dispatch for Power Delivery The system automatically stores excess PV generation during peak output or grid curtailment periods. It rapidly charges during high-generation and low-price windows, and discharges smoothly during peak demand. This intelligent regulation reduces curtailment, stabilizes PV output, and delivers more grid-friendly power— ensuring reliable round-the-clock energy supply. Grid-Forming Technology: Ensuring Stable Operation Across All Grid Conditions Designed for Europe's increasingly complex and weak-grid environments, the solution integrates advanced grid-forming capabilities to ensure system and equipment stability under all grid conditions. It delivers stronger and faster inertia support, reducing frequency response time from hundreds of milliseconds to under 5ms. This enables rapid grid frequency stabilization and improving overall system reliability. With 1.8 times transient overvoltage tolerance and real-time assessment of grid strength indicators such as Short-Circuit Ratio (SCR), the system can seamlessly switch between grid-following and gridforming modes, enabling reliable operation across dynamic weak-to-strong grid transitions. To date, Sungrow's Single-Platform DCcoupled PV-ESS system has been deployed in more than 90 projects worldwide, such as the 100 MW PV + 220 MWh ESS system in Australia and the 181 MW PV + 638 MWh ESS project in Chile—demonstrating its reliability across diverse grid and market environments. With the launch of PowerTitan 3.0 and its Single-Platform DC-coupled solution in Europe, Sungrow will continue to advance technological innovation and solution evolution, accelerating Europe's energy transition by unlocking greater value through more efficient and reliable PV-plusstorage systems.
NEWS Blockchain.com & Ondo Finance Launch Onchain Tokenized U.S. Stocks Across Europe In partnership with Ondo Global Markets, NYSE-listed equities and ETFs are now accessible to millions of eligible users across Europe directly via the Blockchain.com wallet Blockchain.com and Ondo Finance announced an expansion of their partnership to offer real-world assets (RWAs) onchain to the European market. Eligible users across Europe can now gain direct access to regulated, tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs seamlessly within the Blockchain.com DeFi wallet. Last year, through its DeFi wallet, Blockchain.com and Ondo Global Markets introduced over 200 tokenized stocks and ETFs to users in Africa and South America, offering onchain exposure to some of the most recognizable companies. "By bringing U.S. equities onchain for our European users, we are providing self-custody solutions through our DeFi wallet that are faster, more efficient and completely self-owned that remain unmatched by traditional banks," said Peter Smith, CEO, Founder and Executive Chairman at Blockchain.com. "Building on our momentum in Africa and South America through this partnership with Ondo, we are making a more inclusive and secure financial system a reality for millions across Europe and beyond." Since its launch in September 2025, Ondo Global Markets has seen explosive growth, reflecting the surging demand for institutionalgrade assets on the blockchain. With a total value locked (TVL) surpassing $556 million and trading volume exceeding $8.7 billion, the platform is a dominant force in the Real World Asset (RWA) sector. "Extending availability to users across the EEA through the Blockchain.com DeFi wallet allows Ondo tokenized stocks and ETFs to reach a previously unavailable segment of the platform's global user base," said Ian De Bode, President at Ondo Finance. "We look forward to seeing how this expansion supports adoption as we continue to drive tokenization across global markets." This announcement marks a significant shift for European investors who can now access institutional-grade assets with the ease of a digital wallet, including: • Users across 30 EEA states can now buy, sell, and hold over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs via the DeFi wallet. • Assets are managed directly within the familiar Blockchain.com Wallet interface, removing the friction of traditional brokerage accounts. • Amid strong performance in precious metals markets, Ondo Global markets offers onchain access to tokenized precious metals ETFs, including SLVon (Silver) and IAUon (Gold), enabling commodities exposure within its existing tokenized ETF lineup.
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Why Colocation Economics Are Forcing a Rethink. And Why “Close to London” Is Now Smarter Than “In London” By Ben Smoker, CEO – Sota
7. FEATURE For more than a decade, London has been the gravitational centre of the UK colocation market. Proximity to financial services, dense connectivity ecosystems, and perceived resilience made it the default location for critical infrastructure. That assumption is now being quietly, but decisively, challenged. Rising costs, power constraints, sustainability scrutiny, and extended lead times are forcing organisations to reassess not whether they need colocation, but where it truly makes economic and operational sense. What is emerging is not a retreat from colocation, but a recalibration of geography, risk, and value. The London Cost Equation Is Breaking Down Central London colocation has become a victim of its own success. Fully loaded rack costs in major London facilities frequently far exceed £1,000 per rack per month once power, cooling, and connectivity are included. At the same time, power availability in core hubs has tightened sharply, with many providers quoting 24–48 month lead times for new capacity. These pressures are structural rather than cyclical: • constrained grid capacity • limited development opportunities • rising construction and financing costs • higher power density driven by modern workloads and AI For many organisations, particularly outside financial services and hyperscale demand, the economics no longer align with the perceived benefits of a London postcode. Risk Has Concentrated, Not Reduced London is often described as the safest place to host critical infrastructure. In reality, extreme concentration introduces its own form of risk. Highly dense hubs amplify exposure to: • power disruption • network congestion • shared supply-chain dependencies • correlated outage events As more critical workloads cluster into fewer locations, the impact of any incident increases. Resilience, increasingly, is not about centralisation, it is about intentional distribution. Well-connected regional facilities reduce systemic risk while still delivering the performance and accessibility businesses require. Close Enough Matters More Than Close As Possible Latency is frequently used to justify London-centric deployments. In practice, many enterprise workloads tolerate, or never notice, the marginal difference between London and nearby regional locations. Facilities within 30–60 miles of London can deliver: • comparable latency • access to major carrier ecosystem • faster physical access for engineering teams • lower and more predictable operating costs • significantly shorter deployment timelines For most organisations, this “near-London” model delivers the outcomes that matter, without the premium and rigidity attached to being inside the M25. Power and Sustainability Have Become Board-Level Issues The colocation conversation has changed. Space is rarely the limiting factor; power and efficiency are. AI inference, analytics platforms, and private cloud environments are driving sustained, higher power draw per rack. In constrained metro hubs, this has translated into premium pricing, inflexible power models, and reduced transparency. Regional private data centres often have structural advantages: • greater available power headroom • more efficient airflow and cooling design • improving PUE through higher utilisation • greater ability to invest in renewable supply and on-site generation Sustainability is no longer a marketing add-on. Customers, investors, and regulators increasingly expect credible evidence of responsible energy use, transparent power governance, and measurable environmental action. Fair Pricing Is Becoming a Strategic Requirement As costs rise, businesses are becoming far more discerning about what they are paying for, and why. There is growing resistance to opaque power charges, unpredictable escalations, and contracts that quietly transfer risk to customers. In parallel, CFOs are scrutinising infrastructure spend with the same discipline applied to cloud consumption. The most effective colocation strategies now pair: • transparent, defensible pricing • predictable power models • sustainability commitments • realistic long-term economics Disruptive pricing, when applied responsibly and time-bound, is not about a race to the bottom. It is about correcting imbalance, improving utilisation, and aligning value on both sides of the relationship. Fairness is becoming a differentiator. Colocation as an Anchor, Not an Endpoint Increasingly, colocation is being used not as a destination, but as an anchor point: • supporting hybrid cloud architectures • enabling cloud optimisation and repatriation • hosting regulated or sovereign workloads • underpinning connectivity-led ecosystems This model favours providers who can offer availability, clarity, and accountability, rather than pure scale or marketing reach. At Sota, operating private data centres outside London but close enough to benefit from its connectivity ecosystem, we see this shift daily. Organisations are not abandoning cloud or central hubs; they are deliberately rebalancing cost, control, sustainability, and risk. Conclusion: Geography and Fairness Are Strategic Again Colocation is not becoming less relevant; it is becoming more selective. As London economics strain under cost, power, and capacity pressure, organisations are recognising that resilience and performance do not require being in the most expensive location. They require proximity, transparency, operational discipline, and fair pricing.
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Interail Cert is a Romanian railway consultancy company bringing rail to life, specialising in the fields of technical compliance, regulatory advisory, and certification support for the rail, metro, and tramway sectors. The company works alongside a wide range of industry stakeholders required to meet national and European safety and interoperability regulations, such as designers, manufacturers, contractors, maintenance and repair units, and railway operators. In this field, Interail Cert’s core activity is centred on railway certification and authorisation processes. The company does not act as a certification body; instead, it serves as an interface between technical stakeholders and competent institutions, supporting clients in structuring compliance processes correctly and efficiently in alignment with both national regulations and European requirements. “Our mission is to make railway certification more transparent, structured, and efficient,” stated Corina, “without compromising on safety, technical quality, or regulatory rigor. We place strong emphasis on professionalism, technical accuracy, transparency, and longterm collaboration with our clients. While our service portfolio has expanded over time in response to the increasing complexity of European railway legislation, these core values have remained unchanged since the company’s establishment.” Interail Cert often operates on projects within technically complex environments or involving existing infrastructure, where a rigorous interpretation of requirements and early identification of compliance risks are essential. It takes a practical, implementation-oriented approach, providing support for national approvals, CE Best Railway Certification & Consultancy Company 2025 The railway sector is a complex landscape, navigated by a wide range of companies possessing their own unique objectives, strategies, and perspectives, all striving to operate within the same rigorous regulatory standards. Interail Cert SRL is a key player in this space, leveraging deep consulting expertise to guide these entities, uniting them over shared goals to achieve exceptional results. We heard more from Co-Founders Corina and Octavian Miclescu below, as Interail Cert is named the Best Railway Certification and Consultancy Company 2025 in the European Enterprise Awards 2025. AIS-Nov25430 verification and conformity assessments, and the preparation and coordination of technical documents required by competent authorities and certification bodies. The company’s strength lies in its detailed understanding of both national and European railway regulatory frameworks, coupled with an ability to communicate effectively with engineers, designers, and operators. Rather than limiting its role to documentation review or regulatory interpretation, it leverages its dual perspective to work closely with project teams, identifying potential risks early and ensuring that proposed solutions are not only compliant on paper, but also realistically implementable on site. Operating in such an environment – where engineering solutions must be aligned with complex regulatory frameworks and consistently withstand scrutiny – has shaped a culture that values structured analysis, sound technical judgement, and a clear understanding of both the letter and the intent of applicable standards and regulations. “Our internal culture reflects the demands of railway certification itself: disciplined, technically rigorous, ethically grounded, and focused on delivering reliable, compliant, and sustainable solutions,” said Octavian. Acting as an interface between engineers, designers, manufacturers, operators, and assessment bodies requires the team to translate complex technical and regulatory concepts into clear, practical terms. For this reason, collaboration and clear communication are deeply embedded into the company’s internal culture, with open technical dialogue and cross-disciplinary cooperation regarded as essential to achieving compliant and realistic outcomes. When recruiting new talent, Interail Cert seeks strong technical foundations in
9. Best Railway Certification & Consultancy Company 2025 railway engineering, infrastructure, rolling stock, and other safety-critical systems. The company values analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to work methodically with technical standards and regulatory texts. Equally important is the capacity to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, particularly when undertaking complex, multi-actor projects. “Beyond technical competence, we seek individuals who demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine interest in railway systems and safety,” Corina added. “The regulatory and technical landscape continues to evolve, and we value professionals who are motivated to learn continuously, deepen their expertise, and take long-term responsibility for the quality and integrity of their work.” Indeed, the European railway sector is currently undergoing a period of accelerated transformation, in which rail is increasingly positioned as a central pillar of European decarbonisation policies and instrumental in the transition towards a more efficient, resilient transport system. One of the most significant trends is the growing emphasis on interoperability and cross-border compatibility. The implementation and continuous revision of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability impose increasingly detailed requirements on infrastructure, rolling stock, and other subsystems. In turn, railway projects are more often assessed within a European regulatory context rather than purely at national level, increasing the complexity of certification processes and requiring closer collaboration between technical stakeholders and conformity assessment bodies. At the same time, the digitalisation of technical documentation and compliance processes has become a practical necessity. Authorities and certification bodies are increasingly expecting structured, traceable technical files, clear requirement mapping, and consistent change management throughout the project lifecycle. This trend has directly impacted the ways in which certification and authorisation processes are prepared, managed, and monitored. Another key development has been the strengthening of safety oversight and the extension of compliance requirements across the full lifecycle of railway systems. Rather than being limited to design and commissioning phases, the focus now includes operation, maintenance, subsequent modifications, and change management. This shift affects operators, manufacturers, and contractors alike, requiring them to demonstrate ongoing compliance in a more dynamic and continuously supervised regulatory environment. Being based in Europe offers clear advantages, particularly in areas such as certification, interoperability, and technical compliance; the European Union provides the regulatory and institutional framework for modern railway standards while EU directives, Technical Specifications for Interoperability, and the role of European institutions establish benchmarks applied across the Union and widely referenced internationally. Operating within Europe enables Interail Cert to remain directly aligned with this evolving regulatory environment. What’s more, the company is in close proximity to the authorities, certification bodies, and professional networks that shape how these regulations are applied in practice. This closeness supports a more pragmatic understanding of regulatory expectations, reducing the gap between formal compliance and real-world implementation. Furthermore, it facilitates involvement in cross-border projects and supports clients operating across multiple European markets. Romania, specifically, offers Interail Cert additional advantages; the national railway sector is currently experiencing an extensive modernisation process, largely supported by European funding programmes. This has resulted in a high volume of infrastructure and system projects that must comply with European safety and interoperability requirements, while at the same time addressing the challenges of integrating new solutions into existing infrastructure. This environment creates a strong demand for Interail Cert’s specialised expertise in certification and compliance management. Since its establishment in 2022, Interail Cert has been firmly anchored in railway certification and authorisation under national regulatory frameworks and European interoperability requirements. This dual focus has shaped the company’s approach from the outset and continues to define how the team supports clients in navigating complex compliance processes within real operational and institutional contexts. “Looking ahead, the development of Interail Cert is closely linked to the increasing complexity of railway regulation at both national and European level,” Octavian shared, “as well as to the growing demand for structured, transparent, and technically robust certification support. Our objective is to further strengthen our position as a specialised technical partner in railway certification, authorisation, and compliance management, both in Romania and at a European level.” A key strategic direction for the coming years is the expansion of services through digitalisation and target innovation. Interail Cert is working to develop internal strategic tools designed to support railway certification processes by uniting designers, suppliers, contractors, operators, and certifiers within a single, structured working environment. These tools will not replace technical judgement, but support it by improving structure, traceability, and coordination across complex certification workflows. Interail Cert’s digital development roadmap entails structured certification databases, technical document archives, regulatory reference libraries, collaboration features, and AI-supported pre-verification tools aimed at identifying potential compliance gaps at an early stage. In 2026, the team plans to advance this digital framework significantly as part of a broader effort to improve the quality, predictability, and efficiency of the client support services it provides. In parallel, the company will expand its consultancy activities while strengthening partnerships with industry stakeholders involved in railway design, manufacturing, construction, and operation. This is essential for maintaining a practical understanding of how regulatory requirements interact with real engineering and operational constraints. Throughout this, Interail Cert will continue to invest in internal competencies and team growth, while maintaining a strong focus on professional responsibility, technical independence, and a strict adherence to applicable national and European regulations. “Our ambition is not rapid expansion, but controlled and sustainable growth built on technical credibility and long-term trust,” the Co-Founders concluded. “Overall, the future of Interail Cert is focused on combining deep regulatory expertise with well-structured digital support tools, enabling us to transform increasingly complex railway certification requirements into clear, manageable, and predictable processes for our clients.” Contact: Corina Miclescu & Octavian Miclescu Company: Interail Cert SRL Web Address: www.interailcert.com
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Ethical Hospitality Pioneer of the Year 2025 – Italy Few things are more frustrating for a hospitality host than when a guest is disruptive, careless, messy, causes damage that cannot be claimed on, or leaves negative feedback that does not reflect their actual experience. All of these things are highly common for B&B owners, who often feel powerless to defend themselves or their properties as the big platforms only protect the customer. Now, thanks to GoodGuest, it is not just possible for guests to speak, as here, only the hosts can leave reviews. For more on the impact this will have, we caught up with Oscar Solofrano, its founder. In today’s hospitality industry, unprecedented challenges are being faced by hosts. False reviews, property damage, and disrespectful behaviour threaten to undermine the trust between guests and B&B managers, not to mention jeopardising the reputation, profitability, and even the future of many of these properties. This is where GoodGuest comes in, as an innovative solution that transforms these challenges into opportunities by rewarding guests, encouraging positive behaviour, and offering a system where everyone wins. The ethos behind GoodGuest is simple: bad guests should not be allowed to get away with their behaviour and good guests should be recognised as such, provided with discounts and perks for their behaviour and not treated with apprehension as a result of a host’s previous experiences with other guests. This is a vision the company has realised through its system, which – although still in its pre-launch phase at the time of writing – is the first meritocratic, bilateral, and verified evaluation system in the field of hospitality. Marking a paradigm shift, GoodGuest makes it possible for hosts to finally review their guests, and for guests to earn points, badges, and perks for their positive behaviour across every stay. This is a welcome and much-needed change, as the big booking and review platforms make it difficult for hosts to share an authentic opinion of guests, who have all the power. The imbalance that exists as a result is simply unfair, and this is why GoodGuest was created by hosts for hosts – to change this and put an end to disparity. Guiding us through exactly how the platform works, Oscar explained: “Our ethical reputation system allows hosts to evaluate guests based on five clear and objective criteria – communication, cleanliness, compliance, sustainability, and punctuality – without fear of retaliation. Every guest then accumulates reputation points and moves up the ranks: the more they respect spaces, rules, and people, the more access they have to benefits, experiences, and rewards.” The result is a more balanced connection between travellers and hosts. “Real reviews, cross-checks, open dialogues. We build trust, not appearances.” Hosts are able to view a guest’s reputation profile before accepting their booking, which helps them to reduce any risk to their property, community, or reputation as a host. This is not the only benefit for hosts, as they can also access a number of exclusive tools, from educational resources and discounted insurance through to marketing support. On the back of all this, Oscar was excited to share with us that hundreds of hosts have already registered for its waitlist and joined its community, which is currently gearing up for the release of the GoodGuest app, scheduled for later this month. This will see the reputational system go from a work in progress directly into the hands of hundreds of hosts. Whilst this is the next milestone for GoodGuest, and the biggest one to date, it marks the start of a new beginning, with the small team behind the platform having to observe and refine the system in the first few months after launch, ensuring it fulfils its ultimate goal of delivering a more confident hosting experience. At the same time, there is a particular focus on the company strengthening its partnerships with providers across the hospitality space, ensuring that GoodGuest goes beyond a digital project to set the recognised standard. A simple, ethical, and powerful system, GoodGuest is the perfect accompaniment in an industry where responsible tourism is booming and the demand for authentic, sustainable travel experiences is growing. Another added bonus is that GoodGuest can be integrated in with the platforms a host already uses, making it a highly convenient solution. Clearly then, GoodGuest is set to take the market by the storm, with the upcoming release of its app set to mark an important date in the rule-changing hospitality revolution that the company and its team are currently orchestrating. More on this can be found at the link below, where hosts and guests alike can pre-register to get benefits in advance. Contact: Oscar Solofrano Company: GoodGuest Web Address: https://goodguest.it/ AIM-Oct25301
Jul22493 11. Reinventing the nitrogen economy is no easy task, deep technology company Atmonia is aiming to do exactly that through developing a sustainable, small scale, intermittent ammonia production process. Its process uses either above baseload or curtailed electricity to produce ammonia, a valuable compound that can be used in many ways, including as a fertiliser or e-fuel. Clients of the company will then be purchasing the necessary hardware to carry out this ammonia production on their own sites. For more on this, we caught up with Atmonia’s CEO, Dr. Helga Dögg Flosadóttir. Currently, ammonia is produced via the industrial Haber-Bosch process developed in the 20th century, whereby temperatures of between 350500°C and a high-pressure environment (~200 bar) are needed. Keeping this environment running is a continuous operation, as shutting it down and then powering it back up again is both expensive and time consuming. This method also requires coal or natural gas for the hydrogen formation early in the process, with around two tonnes of CO2 produced per tonne of ammonia. “Our process operates at room temperature and pressure using aqueous electrolytes. When optimised, these conditions will allow for lower CAPEX and thus make it economically competitive with the industrial-scale HaberBosch process.” Founded in Reykjavík, Iceland, in 2016, Atmonia has spent nearly a decade working on sustainable and distributed ammonia production. Developing the catalyst and the system for its process, which requires only air, water, and renewable, intermittent electricity, is something it will continue to do until it officially enters the market in 2030. When it does make this leap, the company will not dictate what each ammonia production can be used for, opening to all potential ammonia markets, but it will focus first of all on the fertiliser market, before moving to the e-fuel market. The potential in both of these markets is huge. Firstly, around 80% of the world’s ammonia production is for fertiliser, with the compound able to be used as a fertiliser directly or converted into nitrate. Thus, it is fair to say that the farming industry is reliant on ammonia, but its production method clashes with the sustainable ethos of today. Secondly, ammonia makes a great fuel, especially for hard-to-electrify transportation like maritime or aviation, thanks to high energy density molecules that do not include carbon. All of this makes Atmonia and its ammonia production process attractive to a wide range of clients, particularly project planners in the realm of energy infrastructure, renewable electricity producers/providers, the farming community, ports, and off-taker fuel distributors. Its patentable technology is particularly exciting to those who value sustainability and efficiency, as the process can operate intermittently, with direct connection to renewable energy infrastructure. Something else that stands Atmonia apart is its value system, with sustainability, collaboration, and integrity being the main drivers behind its success. It is on the back of this value system that Atmonia’s mission, to make a dent in the global footprint and provide both fertiliser and fuel without compromise, appeared. On this, Helga commented: “We know that to accomplish the energy transfer and sustainable fertiliser production we need strong collaborations with experts across the value chain.” Being based in Europe has allowed Atmonia to develop these collaborations, with the Horizon Europe grants it has received bringing new opportunities and offering greater depth than the company would otherwise have achieved. Thanks to this, the team here were able to reach a significant milestone last year, demonstrating ammonia production in a scalable, electrochemical cell using 15N isotope labelling, a process then reproduced in two laboratories in Europe, highlighting a global breakthrough. On the back of this, Helga explained that the next steps for the company are to use machine learning and design of experiments to optimise process parameters for energy demand, production rate, and process stability, three areas it must focus on before scaling up. At the same time, plans are in place to create a permit pathway and fine-tune its plan to enter the market, with this again scheduled to take place in the year 2030. It was here that Helga stressed the importance of research and development funding, especially with its recent EIC ‘EASY Project’ grant, which is one of the pillars needed if a thriving economy of deep technology development is supported. It also helps to drive international and interdisciplinary collaboration across Europe, marking a brighter future for start-ups like Atmonia looking to drive real change. Atmonia has been lucky enough to participate in two Horizon Europe projects, providing both funding, collaboration opportunity across Europe and scientific validation (VERGE GA: 101084253, FIREFLY GA: 101091715). More on Atmonia’s aims and processes can be found below. Contact: Dr. Helga Dögg Flosadóttir Company: Atmonia Web Address: https://atmonia.com/ Global Leaders in Nitrogen Electrolyser Technology 2025
EU Business News- Q1 2024 How material innovation is delivering measurable sustainability outcomes in commercial washrooms Across Europe, sustainability is shaping how organisations operate, what they buy, and how they measure and evidence their progress. With 79% of businesses globally either transforming their business model or embedding sustainability into core operations, the focus has shifted from setting targets to delivering practical changes. This shift places greater emphasis on everyday operational choices, which now play a defining role in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. And it is exposing that many sustainability strategies still focus on high-profile initiatives, while overlooking the operational choices that quietly drive the greatest environmental impact. As organisations evaluate high-use areas across their estates, one area now coming into sharper focus is the washroom. Why washrooms matter to organisations trying to be more sustainable From offices and public buildings to schools and transport hubs, washrooms are among the busiest environments, and often one of the most resource intensive. Their consistent footfall and material use make them a critical focal point for reducing environmental impact while supporting long-term sustainability goals, yet they have historically received little attention in sustainability planning. Hygiene paper illustrates this challenge clearly. It is one of the highestconsumption, single-use product categories in commercial facilities. In Western Europe, toilet paper consumption averages 15–25kg per person annually. Across large workforces and public spaces, this creates a substantial environmental footprint, spanning raw material extraction, energy-intensive production, transport, and disposal. The scale of waste associated with hygiene paper is often underestimated. As Ramona Shellard, sales director at Satino by WEPA, discusses how material innovation and smarter washroom systems are enabling organisations to deliver measurable ESG outcomes through everyday operations. of the latest reporting, the EU produced 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste, with paper and cardboard accounting for more than 40%. While paper packaging recycling rates are relatively high across Europe, hygiene papers such as toilet paper and napkins typically cannot be recycled once used. This results in a significant, largely non-recyclable, waste stream, driven by consistent high-volume usage across commercial environments. For facilities teams and procurement leaders operating under frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), this raises an important question: how can essential, highconsumption products be made materially better without compromising hygiene or user experience? Why material choice is a key strategic lever for ESG The answers increasingly lie in material choice. Conventional hygiene paper is primarily made from virgin wood pulp, a resource-intensive material that generates up to 30% more greenhouse gas emissions than recycled alternatives. Even responsibly sourced wood fibres cannot fully offset the environmental burden at current consumption levels, with the average person using 100 rolls of toilet paper annually. Reducing the environmental impact of hygiene paper requires material innovation. Producing virgin wood pulp places significant pressure on forest resources, accounting for approximately 35% of the total global wood harvest. While responsibly-sourced wood fibres from well-managed forests remain an important part of the hygiene paper mix, increasing pressure on natural resources and tighter carbon reporting requirements mean that conventional materials alone are no longer enough. For organisations across Europe, this offers a clear opportunity to procure products with alternative fibres, to improve sustainability at scale while maintaining the hygiene standards and
reliable performance required in high-traffic commercial washrooms. Rethinking raw materials with alternative fibres Miscanthus grass is one such fibre gaining traction. A fast-growing perennial, it regrows annually without replanting, thrives with minimal water and inputs, and can be grown on land that is not suitable for food crops. Already cultivated in parts of Western Europe, it also shortens supply chains and reduces transport-related emissions. When used alongside recycled fibres, Miscanthus grass supports the production of unbleached hygiene paper, meeting both environmental standards and the dependability expected in commercial washrooms. For forward-thinking businesses, this translates into real advantages, including helping to achieve ESG targets, reducing waste, and supporting progress against sustainability commitments. By integrating alternative fibres, organisations can maintain operational performance while making environmental improvements, showing that business efficiency and sustainability can advance hand in hand. The commercial benefits of smarter hygiene choices Integrating plant-based hygiene solutions isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also beneficial for business, driving growth and improving efficiency. These solutions can support certifications such as Cradle to Cradle, helping organisations demonstrate sustainability credentials. At the same time, working with suppliers that prioritise material innovation can strengthen relationships and differentiate organisations in markets where sustainability performance increasingly influences procurement decisions. Because washroom solutions are implemented consistently across sites and used at scale, even small improvements deliver measurable results. Over time, these changes contribute to broader environmental objectives, providing a practical approach to achieving sustainability goals and futureproofing operations, whether in a large facility, a public building, or a small office. Supporting circularity and waste reduction Material innovation alone is not enough. A genuinely sustainable washroom strategy considers the full lifecycle of products and systems, from sourcing and use, to collection and recycling, so they work to maximise resource efficiency while keeping materials in use for as long as possible. Packaging is a key part of this lifecycle. Even when products are made from recycled fibres, they can fall short of circular goals if wrapped or shipped in singleuse plastic. Choosing hygiene solutions that avoid unnecessary packaging or use fully recyclable materials helps to reduce avoidable waste and aligns better with EU circularity targets. A practical example of circularity in action is the recovery of used hygiene paper. Instead of sending this waste to landfill, facilities can introduce collection and recycling systems that reprocess it into new paper products, reducing carbon emissions and closing the loop. Similarly, sourcing products made from recycled fibres or old corrugated cardboard (OCC) extends material lifecycles and reduces reliance on virgin resources. High levels of use in washrooms can drive up both consumption and cost. Dispensers designed to control paper output help mitigate this, supporting more consistent usage without compromising hygiene. When paired with products made from recycled or alternative fibres, they contribute to a lower-waste system that aligns with circular economy principles. This then enhances sustainability, improves cost efficiency, and makes measurable progress against ESG goals, while maintaining user wellbeing. A practical path forward As sustainability expectations continue to rise, organisations are being judged less on ambition and more on delivery. Progress now depends on solutions that can be implemented consistently and maintained over time. Washrooms offer a clear example of how this can be achieved. By rethinking fibre sourcing, including the use of alternative materials such as Miscanthus grass, and combining this with efficient washroom systems, organisations can reduce environmental impact through products that are already part of daily operations. Ongoing innovation in hygiene paper and washroom infrastructure demonstrates how routine products can contribute to meaningful change when material choices and system design are considered together. By focusing on solutions that perform reliably over time, organisations across Europe can achieve measurable environmental improvements that support ESG objectives.
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