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 develops and commercializes innovative high performance, bio based surfactants that meet sustainability and customer requirements—without compromise.

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 the CEO of the EU‑funded spin‑off PureSurf and a Senior Scientist at the University of Graz, specializing in the holistic use of biomass for high‑performance, sustainable chemicals and materials. My work focuses on the characterisation of novel bio‑based products, application development, and market assessment, bridging fundamental research and commercialization. I am a co‑recipient of the aws Phoenix 2023 and the Innovation Award Styria 2023, co‑author of five patent applications, and currently incubated at Science Park Graz. I am also an alumnus of the CDL Climate ’23 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)