With its paper-based IonLeaf membrane, Austrian cleantech company Ecolyte is redefining the future of energy storage. Winning the prestigious EU Innovation Radar Prize in the Category “Climate, Energy & Mobility” underscores Europe’s strength in sustainable deep-tech innovation.
A milestone for Europe’s cleantech ecosystem: Ecolyte GmbH, a deep-tech pioneer and spinoff of University of Technology TU Graz, Austria, has been awarded the Innovation Radar Prize 2025 by the European Commission in the category “Climate, Energy & Mobility”. The prestigious award ceremony took place today at the AI Hub by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, coinciding with the Web Summit Investor Day. Organised in partnership with Dealflow.eu and Unicorn Factory Lisboa, the event brings together leading innovators, investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders from across Europe.
With its patented IonLeaf membrane – a globally unique, paper-based solution for batteries, fuel cells, and water purification – Ecolyte is setting new benchmarks for sustainability and performance in large-scale energy storage.
The award recognizes technological excellence and societal impact – two qualities Ecolyte combines in remarkable fashion. The IonLeaf technology replaces environmentally harmful PFAS membranes, long considered the industry standard, with a biobased and fully recyclable alternative. The result: a membrane that can be produced up to 90% more cost-efficiently, made from over 98% biodegradable materials, and manufactured entirely in Europe.
Where Technology Meets Responsibility
The company’s success is built on a simple yet groundbreaking idea: using paper as a carrier for ion-conductive membranes. Through a proprietary process, paper fibers are coated with poly-ionic liquids, resulting in a high-performance, flexible, and sustainable material that can be applied across industries – from redox-flow batteries and electrolyzers to advanced water purification systems.
Dr. Stefan Spirk, CEO and Co-Founder, explains:
“With IonLeaf, we demonstrate that high-performance technology and sustainability can go hand in hand. Our membranes are not only significantly more affordable and safer but are also made entirely from renewable materials and fully recyclable. This proves that Europe can achieve technological independence – in a way that is both responsible and future-oriented.”
Advertisement
A Signal for Europe’s Green-Tech Future
By winning the Innovation Radar Prize 2025 in the category “Climate, Energy & Mobility”, the company sends a strong signal to policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators alike: sustainable high-tech made in Europe is globally competitive. As PFAS-based materials face increasing regulation due to their environmental impact, Ecolyte’s IonLeaf membrane offers a viable, future-proof alternative. The company is already collaborating with leading industry players to integrate its technology into existing energy systems.
From Research Lab to Industrial Scale
What began as a research project at University of Technology TU Graz has evolved into one of Europe’s most promising deep-tech success stories. Following multiple EU-funded projects (including EIC Pathfinder, FFG, and AWS) and the first commercial pilot applications, Ecolyte is now preparing for industrial scale-up. By 2028, the company aims to expand production capacity to 10,000 square meters per week, marking a major step toward large-scale commercialization and international expansion.
About Ecolyte GmbH
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Graz, Austria, Ecolyte GmbH develops sustainable membrane technologies for energy storage, water purification, and industrial applications. Its patented IonLeaf technology offers an environmentally friendly, scalable alternative to PFAS-based materials – contributing directly to Europe’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.
