As we reach the end of the year, it’s always good to look back at where we’ve been and what we’ve achieved – especially after the year we’ve just had.
But despite the difficulties, at Soil Steam we’ve had successes and developments that have put us firmly on the road towards achieving our goals. Perhaps the most important has been our growth: over the course of the year, we’ve gone from one employee to ten; hired a professional board; and appointed a new CEO – Oddbjørn Bergem – who takes charge from the very first day of 2021.
In the market itself, we have gained both entry and recognition for our mobile and stationary machines. Leading research facilities are increasingly aware of the Soil Steam technology and our value proposition, which has helped us in our ongoing commitments to verify and validate our technology.
Just last week our application to The Research Council of Norway received approval. A collaboration between Soil Steam International, Lindum, Vegvesenet, Nibio, NMBU, Larvik onion, Toten onion packing plant and Norsk Landbruksrådgivning, the RessursRetur project aims to research and verify how our stationary machine can treat soil infested with invasive alien species. A successful outcome will enable the reuse of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil, preventing the wasteful disposal of this vital asset. The project also aligns with the long-term strategy of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and the Government’s Granavold platform, to increase biodiversity and solve the problem of invasive alien species.
Then there’s our mobile machine. In May, we reached the significant milestone of beginning to treat soil for genuine, commercial customers. Of course, we’re still conducting tests – we want to use every opportunity to optimise our processes – but we are proud that the machine has now been driven continuously from mid-September to the end of November.
For 2021, we already have the customer list and treatment timeline booked for the whole season. It’s proof of the real market demand for the Soil Steam value proposition.
Adding to that enthusiasm from customers has been a very respectable line-up of awards and other recognitions:
- One of 15 finalists in the Social Innovation Tournament arranged by the European Investment Bank, with over 200 companies applying.
- Added to the Foodtech500 list, “the definitive list of global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection between food, technology and sustainability.”
- We were granted the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label”, designed to shed light on existing solutions that are both clean and profitable and have a positive impact on quality of life.
- Finalist in the Norwegian Start-up World Cup innovation tournament.
- Recognised as one of “Top 50 impact companies” by the One Initiative after analysing over 7,000 Nordic start-ups.
- Winner of “Think Big” prize, 2020
- Won entry to the Climate KIC start-up accelerator programme, phases 2 & 3.
These awards are testament to our work and results. We are delighted that the market recognises our viable and promising solution to transition to more sustainable agricultural production.
We don’t expect to stop growing, so we are always looking for people with the right talents, to join us in our journey. If working here at Soil Steam International, an exciting start-up with cutting edge technology in an “unlimited” marked, sounds interesting to you please send us an email at post@soilsteam.com and we guarantee an answer. We want diversity in our employees, so we’re especially interested in applications from under-represented groups.
We’ll see you in 2021! In the meantime, we at Soil Steam International wish everyone a merry Christmas and a steamy New Year!