The cleantech start-up KUORI develops and sells circular, innovative materials that are produced with the help of food side streams such as banana peel or nutshells. In the spirit of the circular economy, KUORI materials should be elastic, of biological origin and biodegradable. Their first application as a B2B material manufacturer is in shoe soles to prevent the harmful abrasion of microplastics into soil and water.

During the project duration with GRS, KUORI developed from a student’s project to a founded start-up with a skilled team. The research partnership with the FHNW is ongoing and several industry partnerships such as with Wildling Shoes were established. In fall 2022, KUORI successfully managed to obtain funding amounting to CHF 0.5 million which ensures the business continuation for the coming year. We are continuing with further prototyping and lab as well as field tests to improve our material and develop a composite that fulfils all performance criteria. KUORI is further growing and hiring new support in R&D as well as looking for new partners and customers for a pilot series.