A mobile process for produce natural fragrances and a clever device that prevents ladles from slipping into food - these are the innovations that will be rewarded with the SKAPA Prize in Dalarna 2022.
The SKAPA Prize is Sweden's largest innovation competition. The competition selects 24 regional winners who go on to the grand national final held in Stockholm on November 10.
The award ceremony for the Dalarna final was held at lunchtime today at Dalarna Science Park. Here, the winners Idris Harki and Albin Mårtensson received SEK 5,000 each and a final ticket.
Idris Harki is being rewarded for his innovative technique to extract natural fragrances, aromatics and essences from plants. In the national final, he will compete for the SKAPA prize of SEK 200,000.
Albin Mårtensson participates in the SKAPA talent class for young innovators. His innovation "ladle stop" solves the classic problem of serving ladles slipping into the food. Albin has also won the Swedish Championship in Young Entrepreneurship with his JA company "Sanitary serving", based on the same innovation.
- The winners show that innovation can come in many different forms and combinations, which is exactly what we need to find sustainable ways forward. We wish the winners the best of luck on their journey and in the final," says jury member and business developer Jörgen Steen, Dalarna Science Park.
Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park and one of today's prize givers, is happy that the SKAPA prize draws attention to new innovations from the county.
- "I hope that the competition can inspire more innovators to realize their ideas. In this way, we build new companies, more jobs and increased interest in Dalarna," she says.
The jury's reasoning
SKAPA Award: Idris Harki, Carthago Fragrance AB
The cosmetics and skincare industries are increasingly demanding ecological and social sustainability. Carthago Fragrance is developing a new concept for the production of essential oils and hydrolates with a mobile distillation process. The process takes place in close proximity to local cultivations and with control of quality, environmental impact and working conditions. With full documentation and traceability, customers in Sweden are offered raw materials that are fully in line with future market requirements.
SKAPA talent (young innovators): Albin Mårtensson, Sleva AB
Public catering establishments have high standards of sanitary health. Considerable resources are invested in procedures, controls and tools that contribute to clean and bacteria-free environments. Sleva AB has developed a simple, award-winning innovation that prevents ladles and other tools from slipping into serving vessels and spreading bacteria. The product also improves the customer experience and helps reduce unnecessary washing up.
About the SKAPA award
The SKAPA Foundation was established in 1985 in memory of Alfred Nobel. Since 1986, the Foundation has awarded the SKAPA Prize with the aim of supporting innovators to develop their inventions into products and services on the market. The competition has both an open class and a talent class for young innovators.
