Newlab has collaborated with Montes del Plata (MdP) and UPM, two of the largest companies in Uruguay's paper pulp industry, to tackle one of the key environmental challenges facing industrial production today: transforming inorganic waste streams into sustainable construction materials. Through this collaboration, UPM and MdP are advancing their 2030 sustainability commitments by exploring innovative ways to repurpose waste into green building materials.

In the coming months, Newlab, UPM, and MdP will work together to identify promising startups globally that are developing waste-to-materials technologies and launch pilots to test and validate their solutions. Successful pilots could lead to integration into Uruguay’s construction sector, supporting both local and global decarbonization goals.

Newlab's expansion into Montevideo in 2021 reflects Uruguay's aspirations to become a global center for innovation. Serving as Newlab's first subsidiary outside the United States, this strategic move positions Uruguay as an epicenter of innovation for all of Latin America.

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES

Uruguay’s paper pulp industry generates a significant volume of inorganic waste, including dregs/grits, fly ash, bottom ash, and lime kiln dust. We’re inviting startups to develop solutions that convert these byproducts into sustainable construction materials, revolutionizing the construction sector.

Focus areas include:

1. Waste into Cementitious or Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) – Startups that use industrial waste streams as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) to partially replace clinker in cement.
2. Waste into Geopolymers and/or Cement-Free Construction Materials – Innovative geopolymers and other materials that can fully or partially replace traditional cement.
3. Waste into Legacy Aggregate Replacement – Solutions replacing natural aggregates like sand and gravel with industrial byproducts.
4. Waste to Other Sustainable Construction Materials – Technologies repurposing inorganic waste for use in infrastructure, such as roads, asphalt, and building materials.
5. Waste into Inorganic Waste Dewatering and Drying Technologies – Energy-efficient technologies for drying industrial byproducts, enabling their use in green construction applications.

GLOBAL IMPACT AND LOCAL OPPORTUNITY

This initiative not only addresses sustainability goals locally in Uruguay but also presents startups with the opportunity to collaborate with global leaders in forestry. By testing and piloting their solutions within Uruguay’s strong paper pulp sector, startups can scale their technologies to the global market.

HOW TO APPLY

Startups at any stage that are developing innovative waste-to-materials solutions are encouraged to apply. The selected startups will benefit from:

• Access to pilot design support and funding for solution development.
• Ongoing support from Newlab, MdP, UPM, and a global network of stakeholders.
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts in waste utilization and green construction.
• Access to Newlab’s prototyping and testbed facilities in Brooklyn, Detroit, and Uruguay.
• Opportunities to leverage Newlab’s global network of VCs, startups, and innovation leaders.

To apply for the Waste-to-Green Construction Studio, complete the application form by December 20th. Learn more about the open call here.