What is the name of your organization?
Aetheria
What is the name of your solution?
MonoFoam
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
MonoFoam: On-site processing of insulation foam that captures and destroys fluorinated gases—repurposing the byproduct to create circular value.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Maastricht, Netherlands
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Netherlands
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Fluorinated gases (CFCs, HCFCs) used in insulation foams—found in buildings, refrigeration, and transportation—are major contributors to climate change and ozone depletion. CFC-11, for example, has a global warming potential (GWP) of 6,230kg CO2-equivalent. Despite bans, these substances persist in aging infrastructure, releasing harmful emissions during demolition and waste processing.
Globally, millions of tons of foam remain in circulation. In Western Europe alone, an estimated 55 million kg of CFC-11 and 10 million kg of CFC-12 are still embedded in insulation, equivalent to 275 million kg and 62.3 million kg of CO₂ emissions, respectively. Since 1990, emissions of these substances have risen 260%, largely due to the lack of effective recovery solutions.
The aforementioned f-gases act as key contributors to accelerating climate change and ozone depletion, creating vast environmental and health issues: rising temperatures, extreme weather events, ozone depletion, and increased UV-B exposure—all contributing to higher rates of skin cancer and hundreds of thousands of additional cataract cases by 2050.
Starting in 2026, new EU regulations will require the capture and responsible disposal of these gases. However, no scalable, cost-effective solution is currently available—posing a critical challenge for both industry and regulators.
What is your solution?
We have developed MonoFoam, a skid-mounted machine designed to support environmentally responsible practices in waste management and recycling. It helps capture and process materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental harm, ensuring compliance with new EU regulations that mandate the safe collection and disposal of harmful substances. The portable, on-site deployment reduces the need for costly transportation, making it a practical solution for industries. The technology works by processing materials in a controlled system, and preventing the release of harmful substances into the environment. It incorporates a plasma reactor that neutralizes gases, releasing only safe byproducts through a water tank. While these gases are neutralized, the byproduct of the shredded polyurethane foam is recycled into polyols. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, it not only facilitates compliance but also promotes sustainability by reducing emissions and supporting material reuse.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves industries involved in waste management, demolition, and recycling, particularly those affected by new EU regulations requiring the safe capture and disposal of harmful gases from insulation foams. These industries currently lack accessible, cost-effective solutions to comply with the new regulations, leading to high operational costs, regulatory risks, and environmental harm. MonoFoam provides a practical, scalable solution that allows companies to process insulation foams on-site, eliminating expensive transportation while ensuring compliance with environmental laws. By capturing and destroying harmful substances safely, it helps businesses avoid penalties, reduce emissions, and support a circular economy. Additionally, MonoFoam benefits communities and the broader public by preventing the release of harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change, ozone depletion, and human health risks. Reducing these emissions can lower the incidence of UV-related illnesses and mitigate extreme weather conditions linked to climate change.
