Lithuanian company Inobiostar, a spin-off from Klaipeda University has created a biotechnological solution to oil spills which present a severe threat to marine ecosystems and industries that depend on clean water.
Every year, some 2,300 million liters of oil spill into the ocean, between oil spills at sea, leakage from drilling and–even more prevalent–oil dumped down drains. Inobiostar’s product, InnoAerogel, absorbs the oil and uses microorganisms from the Baltic Sea that naturally break down pollutants into harmless substances, ensuring the cleanup process is safe for the marine environment.
With the support of BlueInvest, the EU’s innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, Inobiostar has successfully transformed from a research project into an innovative business, securing over €2 million in funding.
InnoAerogel, is a 100% biodegradable patented material mainly made from wastepaper mixed with water. This slurry is freeze-dried into an ultralight, highly porous aerogel which can absorb oil at an impressive rate. By using wastepaper, Inobiostar’s approach eliminates secondary pollution, making it a game-changer in sustainable marine protection.
Founded in 2020 by Tatjana Paulauskienė, a chemical and environmental engineer with over 20 years of experience, Inobiostar emerged from a university research project aiming to develop sustainable oil spill remediation solutions. The initial team had strong technical expertise but lacked the necessary support for business development and commercialization. To address this gap, Inobiostar participated in several accelerator programs, helping them refine their approach and advance their project into a start-up with a clear market path.
Founded in 2020, the company is planning a pilot plant and preparing to expand its technology into new applications including wastewater treatment, insulation, defense, biomedical applications, and beyond.
