The French startup Genomines shows how greentech is revolutionizing battery production. Europe’s startups and the TransformIT conference are now decisively driving the sustainable transformation forward.

By Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle, Photo: Kristine Cinate via Unsplash

Greentech à la française: The startup Genomines from Paris is developing an unusual solution for the sustainable transformation. Instead of extracting metals like nickel through environmentally harmful mining, the company relies on plants. So-called “hyperaccumulators” – related species of daisies and sunflowers – absorb the metal through their roots and store it in leaves and stems.

Plants Instead of Excavators: how Phytomining Works

The process is called phytomining. These plants grow on soils that are too poor for classic mining and too contaminated for agriculture. After harvesting, they are burned. What remains is an ash, the so-called “bio-ore.”

Nickel can be extracted from this using existing processes. The process is faster, cheaper and can even be CO₂-neutral or negative – a real example of innovative green business solutions.

Investors believe in the concept

Even today, large companies such as Hyundai or Tata Motors support the project. The Dutch fund Forbion has also invested.

Many greentech startups are emerging, especially in Europe, that are working on creative ideas at the interfaces of biotechnology, energy and digitalization. They show that innovation does not always have to come from the world’s major tech centers.

Europe as a hotspot for greentech innovations

From circular economy to climate-friendly battery technologies to CO₂-negative processes: European founders are actively driving the sustainable transformation forward.

In order for these innovations to have an impact, networking within Europe is crucial. Startups need investors, industrial partners and exchange with other thought leaders. This is the only way they can scale solutions and make them internationally competitive.

TransformIT: The platform for Green Business in Europe

This is exactly where the new TransformIT trade fair & conference comes in. At the kick-off in May 2025, the focus was also on battery and greentech startups. For the second edition in May 2026, a separate area for European Green Startups will be set up – with matchmaking sessions, networking formats and direct access to investors.

TransformIT is therefore the platform for sustainable digital transformation in Europe. It brings together the best minds from startups, industry, science and politics. This is how partnerships are created that not only strengthen individual companies, but the entire European greentech landscape.

Opportunities and Open Questions

Genomines’ technology is still young. A pilot project is running in South Africa, and around 23 employees are currently working on it. The question of the long-term consequences of genetically modified plants must also be carefully examined.

But the potential is enormous: Genomines estimates that millions of hectares of land worldwide could be used for phytomining. This could multiply nickel production and at the same time make it more climate-friendly.

Sources & Links

https://www.genomines.com/
https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/start-ups/rohstoffe-dieses-start-up-baut-mit-genmanipulierten-pflanzen-nickel-ab/100154555.html
https://impactalpha.com/genomines-raises-45-million-to-extract-critical-metals-with-bioengineered-plants/