• ecopals reduces the carbon footprint of asphalt by up to 20% by replacing virgin polymers with recycled plastics.

• The company recently completed a project in Georgia using its high-performance asphalt additive and is exploring further opportunities in France, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia.

• Lower regulatory barriers in many international markets can accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and encourage technology-neutral approaches.

Berlin, GER (04 June 2025) – Green-tech startup ecopals is scaling its innovative road construction technology across international markets. The company’s flagship product, EcoFlakes – a high-performance asphalt additive made from recycled plastic – has already been successfully used in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and most recently in Georgia. The company is exploring further opportunities in France, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia.

While Germany remains ecopals’ home market, international demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions and more innovation-friendly regulations are supporting the company’s global expansion. In Germany alone, EcoFlakes have been applied in over 30 projects, including sections of the A7 and A480 motorways.

Developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology and the University of Kassel, EcoFlakes replace virgin plastics and portions of bitumen, a petroleum-derived binder. The result is improved asphalt durability and up to 20% lower CO₂ emissions. For example, a project on the A7 in Schleswig-Holstein incorporated over 40 tonnes of recycled plastic, saving approximately 70 tonnes of CO₂.

Following a successful €4 million funding round last year, ecopals is positioned to meet growing global demand for sustainable road construction materials.

Quotes

“Road construction in the target markets is characterized by a high willingness to innovate and is supported by regulations that recognize new technologies and materials as an integral part of sustainable growth. In contrast, Germany faces challenges in the swift adoption of sustainable solutions due to existing regulations and a cautious approval process,” explained Jonas Varga, Managing Partner at ecopals.

Fabian Zitzmann, also Managing Partner, added: “Our core business is rooted in Germany. However, the global demand for environmentally friendly solutions in road construction makes further internationalization a natural next step for ecopals.”