We are excited to introduce this interview with Clic Recycle, a material innovation company developing technologies, science & materials to change the game in green & blue economies and cut off pollution.

Founded by Valérie Itey, the venture transforms waste into innovative, eco-friendly designs that reduce carbon impact and protect the planet.

The company has just announced that they've been selected for a prestigious new grant! This opportunity is part of BlueInvest, an initiative launched by the European Commission in 2019, designed to accelerate the development of ocean-based technologies and solutions.

Clic Recycle is one of the 50 selected companies in Cohort 1 and part of the AI-powered Digital Services for Smart Cities group.

What’s the biggest industry problem that you’re tackling and how? 

We are borrowing one of our most valuable resources from future generations. Without water, our planet cannot sustain life.

Yet 86% of water is contaminated by man-made activity with large amounts of pollutants, solid waste, microplastics, and large carbon emissions. In agriculture 70% of land is altered by man causing soil erosion, using large amounts of water for irrigation, large use of fertilizers, and large amounts of plastic to compensate.

Our planet is home to an exponential resource of 8,1 billion people. Every year 2.2 billion kg of hair waste is generated globally from hair salons and ends up in landfills causing significant harm to our environment.

CLIC RECYCLE harnesses human hair waste as a regenerative resource transforming it into eco-design solutions for marine preservation and regenerative agriculture. Through a circular model, advanced technology, and smart monitoring systems we aim to reduce plastic and chemical pollution, and clean and conserve water resources with organic alternatives.

What keeps you awake at night about your startup?

The urgency of addressing environmental issues like water pollution and environmental issues for the future of our planet and the coming generations. I often think about how quickly we can scale CLIC RECYCLE’s solutions to make a meaningful impact, with a regenerative resource that can naturally tackle some of the largest challenges we face. I also worry about educating industries and consumers about the value of recycling unconventional waste like human hair and demonstrating its potential for preserving marine environments. It’s a challenge to balance innovation, production, and market acceptance while maintaining the environmental integrity of our solutions.

In your wildest dreams, what would success look like for your company?

A world in harmony where resources are equal and accessible to all - with clean water, food security, and thriving ecosystems. Where waste is regarded as a resource and the circular economy principles rule our societies. The materials we live in and shape the way we think and feel. Creating from embodied mindsets rather than purely intellectual ones. Our dream is to see this material and its many strong natural properties leveraged in multiple disciplines and applications.

To support our growing network and its startups, we invite potential stakeholders (investors, lead customers, mentors, and supporting partners) to apply here.

This project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement Nº101121100. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.