Amazon pilots sustainability tech including reusable packaging solutions

Start-ups tackling some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges will trial technology with Amazon across Europe after winning funding in this year’s Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. Eleven start-ups have been awarded the opportunity to test their pioneering innovations within Amazon operations with a potential investment of up to £2 million.

The start-ups will work with Amazon in the UK, Denmark, France, Germany and Spain to test new ways to recycle electronic waste, innovative packaging methods, ground-breaking building materials, and using AI to improve energy efficiency.

The pilots will vary in both duration and scope depending on the challenge that is being addressed, with the opportunity for wider partnerships on completion. Cheesecake Energy from the UK will deploy its compressed air and thermal technology to provide safe, reliable energy storage within Amazon's European operations, reducing emissions from electricity usage. HT Materials Science from Dublin and American-based Phaidra also have pilots in development with Amazon in the UK.

Cheesecake Energy was founded at the University of Nottingham and uses energy storage systems to capture electricity generated by solar power during the day to provide additional energy during peak hours or at night when the sun doesn’t shine. The technology will be used in selected European fulfilment centres.

“Storing energy for longer periods is vital as we accelerate towards net zero,” said Michael Simpson, Chief Commercial Officer at Cheesecake Energy. “We are excited to test our innovative technology with Amazon. This will help the company store excess solar energy and use it when needed. It’s great that Amazon shares our belief in the potential of the Cheesecake Energy technology, to reduce the cost of energy storage as well as ensuring renewable energy is used efficiently.”

HT Materials Science will add a nanofluid solution to the heating and cooling systems at Amazon fulfilment centres in Coventry, Daventry, and Doncaster. The aluminium-based technology, a winner of the Green Product Award, is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 14%.

A pilot is currently being scoped to use Phaidra’s AI tool with the heating and cooling system at one of Amazon’s UK fulfilment centres. This is expected to lower carbon emissions by up to 40% and reduce energy costs by up to 25%. When connected, Phaidra’s software will use algorithms to optimise energy usage in real-time based on factors such as the weather and the number of occupants in the building.

“Through our world-leading AI tools, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and energy use in heating and cooling systems,” said Jim Gao, CEO of Phaidra. “Our collaboration with Amazon in this pilot is a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable future in commercial, industrial and data centre facilities. We aim to provide a scalable and seamless solution that not only benefits the environment but also offers substantial savings and efficiency improvements.”

The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator will see similar innovative pilots across Europe. To support Amazon’s packaging reduction efforts, start-ups Re-Zip and Hipli will launch pilots to ship close to 100,000 orders across France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria using unique, reusable packaging. Circu Li-Ion from Luxembourg will help extend the life of Amazon’s batteries, using robots to disassemble and support batteries upcycling, giving them a second life, reducing lithium-ion waste and decreasing carbon-intensive material extraction.

Throughout the pilots, Amazon’s subject matter experts will work closely with the start-ups, offering feedback, troubleshooting assistance, and opportunities to refine their technologies to ensure they work smoothly in their respective placements. Upon completion, Amazon will assess the environmental impact, financial viability, and overall effectiveness of the pilots to determine whether any can be scaled across other sites as part of a long-term partnership.

“This trailblazing programme is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving positive change”, said Amazon’s Sustainability Director, Justine Mahler. “By providing a real-world testing ground for unique and cutting-edge technologies, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also creating a blueprint for more sustainable practices across industry.”

Since launching in 2022, the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator has supported more than 40 start-ups across the UK and Europe, provided more than £1 million in grants and credits, and helped those businesses on average increase sales by 700% and raise over £15 million to date.