Grale wins Sweden’s Nordic Innovation Award 2026 and will represent Sweden in the Nordic Innovation Award 2026. Our groundbreaking technology for plant-based alternatives to plastic demonstrates how intellectual property can be used to drive sustainable innovation and we couldn't be more proud.

The Nordic Innovation Award is a joint initiative by the Nordic intellectual property offices, created to highlight innovations that contribute to sustainable development and showcase how patents, trademarks and design can strengthen companies' competitiveness. The Swedish jury selected Grale as a Swedish innovation company developing alternatives to plastic based on renewable raw materials such as agricultural and forest residues. Our technology is patented and can be produced using existing machinery, making the solution both scalable and cost-effective.

Jury statement: Grale is nominated for its environmentally friendly, scalable technology that replaces fossil-based plastics with biodegradable, plant-based materials. Using renewable resources, Grale already delivers products at large volumes, reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the problem of plastic pollution. Grale's innovative technology gives consumers and customers a tangible way to support environmental sustainability. Grale employs a mix of intellectual property rights to protect its core technology and brand identity.

The Swedish jury:

• Inga-Lill Tuomola, Partner, Swedish and European Patent Attorney, EIP
• Fredrik Egrelius, Unit Manager, Patent Unit Kista 5, Ericsson AB
• Malin Mohr, Project Manager Entrepreneurship, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences
• Christina Wainikka, Policy Expert on Intellectual Property, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Grale's innovation delivers clear environmental benefits. CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 86 percent per ton of material and energy use by 65 percent. To date, Grale has contributed to reducing emissions by approximately 1,700,000 kg of CO2, while also saving significant amounts of water and reducing plastic waste.

- Grale is a clear example of how intellectual property can be used strategically to create both business value and sustainable impact, says Anna Jardfelt, Director General of PRV.

Grale actively works with intellectual property through patents, trademarks, certifications and trade secrets, providing strong protection for its technology and supporting continued international expansion. Grale launched its products in late 2023 and has already established a presence across Europe with strong growth.

- Being selected by PRV as the national winner and representing Sweden in the Nordic Innovation Award is a great honour and a validation of our technology's potential. It shows that our innovation is technically leading and built on a solid scientific foundation. Through our technology platform, we enable the scalable and cost-effective transition needed to break dependence on fossil-based plastic. We are proud to drive innovation that eliminates the spread of microplastics, one of the greatest threats of our time to both public health and the planet, says Max, CTO and co-founder, Grale.

The winner of the Nordic Innovation Award 2026 will be announced by a Nordic jury at a ceremony in Oslo on 21 May.

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