EIC Summit 25 Networking Platform

2–3 Apr 2025 | Brussels, Belgium

Markus Hochegger-Krawanja

CEO | Senior Scientist

Universität Graz/PureSurf project

Graz, Austria

17 profile visitsEIC Beneficiary

PureSurf creates bio-based surfactants that replace traditional ones without compromising performance, enabling new solutions for Personal-, Home Care & more.

My organisation

Our goal is to become a frontrunner of the European bio-based surfactant industry, supporting existing players in addressing the mounting challenges. They must achieve climate neutrality by 2050, face ever increasing regulations regarding imports, supply chain, product safety, and disruptions, as well as a growing demand for more sustainable products from customers. PureSurfs' mission is to not only efficiently address our customers' challenges but also adding meaningful functionality. We adhere to the principles of green chemistry and safe and sustainable design. Our patent pending technology platform is the result of years of dedicated research in green chemistry and the valorisation of renewable resources, as well as the integration of state-of-the-art physicochemical characterisation methodologies. This project was initially conceived under an ERC Starting Grant, later formalized through an ERC PoC Grant, and is now being pursued with the support of an EIC Transition Grant.
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About me

I am currently the CEO of the EU-funded spin-off PureSurf and Seniro scientist at the University of Graz and. My professional focu is on the holistic use of biomass, in particular the characterisation of novel products, application development and market assessment. I am the co-recipient of the AWS Phoenix 2023 and the Innovation Award Styria 2023, co-author of five patent applications, currenty incubated at Science Park Graz, alumnus of the CDL'23 climate cohort, the chemstars.nrw accelerator and several EIC Tech2Market Entrepreneurship & Venture Building Programmes.

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Skills

  • Surfactants
  • biomass valorization
  • Lignin valorization

Interests

  • Commercialization
  • Bio-based materials

Marketplace (6)