It’s published •update
Ten young inventors were awarded and the highest honors were awarded for innovation in rare earth recycling, food preservation and carbon capture to develop technologies that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
At a ceremony held in Reykjavik, Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) announced the winners of the 2025 Young Inventories Award Special Award.
The selected inventor of the year, known as “Tomorrow Shaper,” was selected from over 450 international applicants. All were under 30 years old.
Ten inventors or teams were recognized by the EPO for technology, while three special awards (world builders, community healers, nature conservators) were chosen as people’s choices through online public voting.
EuroNews spoke to the winners of the special prize about their invention.
Capture carbon dioxide emissions and redefining fashion
The Nature Guardians Award was sent to American scientists and twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf, whose invention converts carbon dioxide into cellulose-based fibers.
The textile industry is responsible for 8% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Their company, Rubi, uses a unique enzymatic process that mimics the natural way the trees absorb CO2, but there is no need for land or water for forest harvesting or cotton cultivation.
“The tree breathes CO2. It starts as a seed and can use this carbon to grow trunks, branches and leaves. It essentially mimics this process, ingests carbon and makes these important materials, but there’s no need to cut down the tree.”
Biodegradable bags to combat food waste
The Community Healers Award was presented to Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita.
According to FAO, food waste is responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions. Drawing from the background of the agricultural community, the two developed sachets made from plant-based compounds that slow the ripening of fruits, extending their shelf life for up to 30 days.
“Calpolax is essentially a bag bag that is placed in a fruit box during storage or delivery. It releases active substances that inhibit the phospholipase D enzyme that causes the aging or deterioration of the fruit membrane,” Nambuso told Euronews.
Recycling of rare earths
French chemist Marie Perrin has been awarded the World Builders Award for developing processes to recycle rare earths found in e-waste.
Rare Earths are a family of 17 elements in the periodic table, including neodymium and europium, which are used in the construction of telephone turbines and electric vehicles. China has achieved a virtual monopoly in rare earth exploitation and production.
Perin’s innovation, a new process for recovering the rare earth element europium from discarded fluorescent lamps, eliminates the environmental damage that is usually caused by traditional mining.
“Mining production brings major geopolitical and environmental issues. Therefore, recycling is like a magic bullet, both in geopolitical and environmental impact,” Perin told Euroneus.
Smart Food Label
The Wet People’s Award for Spanish Researchers – Pilar Granado, Pablo Sominguez, Luis Ciméno
The trio developed biodegradable labels that are placed on foods that change color when contacted with bacteria. It can be used to indicate in real time whether a food has expired.
Their innovation is already on the market and will help reduce the incredible 59 million tonnes of food waste in Europe each year.
Chimeno described the victory as “awareness of our path,” noting that it confirmed the team’s belief in the power of everyday solutions.
