Between know-how and innovation, fossilization applied to waste
This article is a summary of episode 8 of the podcast Les Bâtisseurs. Exchange between Richad Mitha and Nicolas Cruaud - Co-founder and President of Neolithe. In the podcast Les Bâtisseurs, Richad Mitha, serial-entrepreneur and CEO of Synaxe, interviews industry visionaries to inspire your own environmental, digital and managerial transformation.
In this episode of Les Batisseurs, we invite Nicolas Cruaud, President of Neolithe. He highlights his company's fossilization process, which offers an alternative to landfilling and incinerating non-recyclable waste. Nicolas explains that the fossilization process transforms waste into stone, which considerably reduces CO2 emissions. The company offers a service-based business model for processing waste with its fossilizer, on a pay-per-ton basis. The target market is recycled aggregates, which can be used in concrete without disturbing its strength.
Nicolas has compiled all the data on waste produced in France and calculated the carbon footprint of the waste management industry. Their process begins by shredding the waste to obtain a flour, which is then mixed with mineral binders to create a mineral paste. This paste is then extrusion-pressed to form small blocks of mineral aggregates. The start-up has raised 20 million euros in 2021 to develop their industrial process and is starting to deliver their first commercial machines.
The start-up has adopted a service-based business model to offer a cost-effective alternative to landfilling waste. Nicolas also deals with the resale of aggregates produced during waste processing. He is looking to expand rapidly and convince sorting centers of the effectiveness of his service. He stresses the importance of finding impact funds aligned with their environmental mission, and of maintaining control over the company's governance and decision-making process.
Neolithe's president explains how his company has succeeded in differentiating itself by offering unique services and developing a strong corporate culture. He stresses the importance of working with reliable partners and maintaining a culture of collaboration within the company. Nicolas believes that EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) can help improve the quality of waste sorting and facilitate the production of high-quality aggregates. He also stresses the importance of innovation in the waste management industry, and the need to seek funding to rapidly deploy innovative tools.
He ends by talking about his belief that recycling will play a crucial role in reducing waste and carbon emissions. He also points to the potential for innovation in energy recovery technologies, such as the use of waste as a source of fuel for transport. Nicolas is aware of the challenges and opportunities involved in setting up a business, and believes that innovation and creativity are essential to remain competitive in the marketplace. He believes that his company is structured for rapid growth and has built a business to take on this hypergrowth.
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