Blog
Beamline Accelerator • JUNE 09 • 5 min read
What if waste wasn’t the end of the story? Meet the startups giving it a second life
When people talk about the circular economy, they often picture recycling bins or reusable packaging. But there’s a deeper - and often invisible - part of the puzzle: the energy we lose, the materials we discard, and the systems we’ve accepted as “just the way things are.” Three startups - Agwacyc Technologies, Empyrio, and ARICTON - are quietly challenging that idea. Instead of seeing waste as a problem, they see it as potential. Whether it’s wastewater, sewage sludge, or low-temperature exhaust heat, they’re building technologies that bring valuable resources back into use. All three are part of the Beamline, Sparkup, and Baltic Innovation Agency joint Energy Batch.
Their approaches may differ, but they share a common goal: to make circularity real, not just as a concept, but as something practical, local, and scalable.
Agwacyc Technologies focuses on wastewater treatment, an area most of us don’t think about - until something goes wrong. These plants are essential, but they’re also energy-intensive and costly to upgrade. Agwacyc’s solution uses aerobic granular sludge to simplify the process. It allows for smaller infrastructure, lower energy consumption, and better performance, helping utilities reduce both emissions and expenses.
Empyrio, on the other hand, deals with what’s left after treatment: sludge. Normally, this gets transported long distances for disposal - an expensive and polluting process. Empyrio’s system changes that by treating it on-site. It neutralizes harmful substances, recovers phosphorus, and even generates clean energy. For small towns especially, it’s a way to close the loop locally, turning a waste problem into a sustainable solution.
Then there’s ARICTON, which looked at the heat escaping from industrial chimneys and ship engines - and asked why we let so much energy disappear. Their device captures low-temperature waste heat and converts it directly into electricity. It’s a compact, retrofit-friendly solution for sectors that are often hard to decarbonize, and a smart way to get more out of what we already use.
Of course, building a circular economy isn’t just about technology. It also means shifting how people think. That’s one of the biggest hurdles these startups face: convincing stakeholders to invest in systems that pay off over time, not just in the next quarter. It takes trust, support, and often - a little proof.
That’s where programs like Beamline, Sparkup, and BIA have made a difference. From funding and mentorship to visibility and partnerships, they’ve helped these startups turn ideas into action. Whether it’s building prototypes, navigating regulations, or getting in front of the right people, the backing has been essential.
What connects all three companies is a belief that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated - it just has to be designed in from the start. Treating wastewater more efficiently, making better use of sludge, capturing heat that would otherwise vanish - these are practical, grounded steps toward a more circular system.
It’s not about solving everything at once. It’s about starting where it matters, and building from there.
Because sometimes, the most important innovations aren’t flashy. They’re the ones that quietly help the world work better - and waste less.
That’s where programs like Beamline, Sparkup, and BIA have made a difference. From funding and mentorship to visibility and partnerships, they’ve helped these startups turn ideas into action. Whether it’s building prototypes, navigating regulations, or getting in front of the right people, the backing has been essential.
What connects all three companies is a belief that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated - it just has to be designed in from the start. Treating wastewater more efficiently, making better use of sludge, capturing heat that would otherwise vanish - these are practical, grounded steps toward a more circular system.
It’s not about solving everything at once. It’s about starting where it matters, and building from there.
Because sometimes, the most important innovations aren’t flashy. They’re the ones that quietly help the world work better - and waste less.
Beamline OÜ
REG: 16246810
VAT Number: EE102668162
IBAN: EE321010220291773220
REG: 16246810
VAT Number: EE102668162
IBAN: EE321010220291773220
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