NEG8 Carbon Selected for CIRCULÉIRE “Circular Venture Accelerator 2026”
12 June 2026
NEG8 Carbon has been selected for the CIRCULÉIRE “Circular Venture Accelerator 2026”, joining a new cohort of Irish circular economy companies.
For NEG8 Carbon, the programme offers an opportunity to learn from the CIRCULÉIRE and Irish Manufacturing Research teams as it scales its Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. NEG8 joins the programme for its circular application of captured atmospheric CO₂ for eSAF production, where CO₂ and green hydrogen can be used to make synthetic sustainable aviation fuel.
What is the CIRCULÉIRE Programme?
Functioning as a nationwide hub for industrial sustainability, CIRCULÉIRE is an industry-driven initiative dedicated to advancing the circular economy in Ireland. Its primary mission is to help domestic companies transition away from the traditional “take-make-waste” approach, instead fostering systems where resources are continuously reused and repurposed.
A cornerstone of CIRCULÉIRE’s support ecosystem is the Circular Venture Accelerator. This initiative is managed by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) with financial backing from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. For the 2026 cycle, the programme targets mature startups and expanding enterprises that are focused on achieving commercial scale, securing investment, and integrating their solutions into broader industry markets.
Participants benefit from a combination of professional mentorship, technical consultancy from circularity experts, and high-level networking opportunities. Furthermore, the accelerator provides direct access to IMR’s specialised infrastructure for product testing, prototyping, and R&D.
What are CIRCULÉIRE’s Chief Objectives?
The primary goal of the accelerator is to empower Irish circular ventures to expand their operations and maximise their environmental and economic impact. It specifically assists businesses that have already launched or are nearing market entry by refining their strategic direction, product design, and commercial viability.
The curriculum emphasises the optimisation of business models and value propositions, while also preparing founders for fundraising and strategic collaborations. Additionally, the programme guides companies through the complexities of regulatory shifts and data management, helping them articulate their unique value to stakeholders and potential investors.
From NEG8 Carbon’s point of view, the programme fits with its Direct Air Capture development and circular carbon use of captured atmospheric CO₂, for example, in eFuels.
Companies on the “Circular Venture Accelerator 2026”
The 2026 cohort covers a broad range of circular applications (source – https://www.circuleire.ie/ce-business-supports):
- NEG8 Carbon’s Direct Air Capture of CO2 combined with green hydrogen produces aviation fuel in a closed carbon loop.
- Ábhar Materials Ltd is a bio-based construction materials and technology venture turning low-value sawdust into structural panels.
- Bounce Back Recycling (BBR) recycles 60,000 mattresses a year for retailers, local authorities and consumers, recovering materials and upcycling other bulky waste.
- Celestine Materials & Innovation is a climate technology firm systemically innovating in the valorisation of waste streams as raw material feedstock and transforming them into smart material solutions.
- EcoKinly is a challenger hygiene brand empowering consumers to replace single-use products with durable, reusable alternatives.
- Nothing New CMT Studio (by Change Clothes CLG) is a textiles venture working to rebuild textile manufacturing through circular production.
- Sampla aims to set an example by crafting shoes ethically using apples and other innovative, animal-friendly materials.
- Techstuff.ie circular tech platform enables the full ICT device lifecycle: resell, repair, reuse and recycle.
Past Participants
Previous CIRCULÉIRE accelerator participants include: Arcology Systems, Ériu, The Factory, Tympany Medical, UsedFULLY, Well Spent Grain, Harley & Marley, IFF Plastics, Niskus Biotec, Sensi, Verifact, Avoca Seafood, Biowave, Electric Avenue Bikes, Jiminy Eco Toys, KnowCarbon, ReFunk, Returnr, BladeBridge, HaPPE Earth, Circular Food Co., Mesh Bioplastics, Kinset, Anaula and Hibra Design.
These companies show the range of circular economy activity being supported in Ireland, from food waste and textiles to medical plastics, batteries, furniture, construction, packaging and digital product tracking.
By joining the 2026 programme, NEG8 Carbon becomes part of a growing national group of companies working to keep resources in use and reduce waste. For Ireland’s aviation fuel sector, the circular use of captured CO₂ could offer a route to domestic eFuel production and lower reliance on fossil carbon.