CES '25: from inflatable greenhouses to a solar car that does make it

Published: 2025-01-13 03:01:07 ET 3962.T

Las Vegas is once again dominated this week by the CES (Consumer Electronics Show), the world's largest tech show. The city is buzzing with new products and technology: from robots and AI to TV screens and electric vehicles. Fortunately, among all the glitz and gadgets, sustainability also plays a role.

Tech companies are doing their best to stand out with innovations that are both smart and environmentally conscious. What were the most sustainable reveals at CES 2025? Change Inc. highlights five breakthroughs that promise a green future.

Inflatable greenhouse

South Korea's Midbar (Hebrew for "desert") is coming up with a solution to grow crops in challenging climates. The Airfarm is an inflatable greenhouse that can be set up within 4 hours and used immediately, its makers promise.

To grow crops in the inflatable greenhouse, the aeroponic method is used: a way to grow plants without soil. With a special mist spray system, they manage to promote the so-called respiration of roots. This system uses 90 percent less water than "regular" farms. AI technology is responsible for temperature and humidity in the greenhouse.

The inflatable farm is available in two sizes. A 3-meter version intended for education, research and home use. The 6-meter version is intended for commercial applications.

Airfarm won a CES Innovation Award this year for its invention.

Biodegradable battery

Singaporean start-up Flint is coming up with a fully biodegradable battery made from paper and environmentally friendly materials. It is claimed that the battery degrades within six weeks without leaving any harmful substances behind. In doing so, it is said to be safer, more durable and cheaper than the standard lithium-ion battery.

The battery uses hydrogel and, instead of cobalt and lithium, contains mostly zinc and manganese. The design is not only safer, but also significantly less harmful to the environment. With a current capacity of 600 milliamp-hours, the battery is ideal for low-power devices such as remote controls and desk lamps. However, Flint is working on improvements to also power devices such as smartphones, laptops and even electric vehicles.

Flint has raised $2 million in funding and is in talks with more than 20 consumer electronics, defense and aerospace companies. Tests show that the battery is not only more durable, but also more affordable. First commercial production is expected late this year, with expansions to markets such as the U.S., China and India.

Parasol and cooler with super solar cells

The company Anker is introducing a parasol with perovskite solar cells, a technology the company says is lighter, cheaper and more efficient than traditional silicon cells. The solar cells are said to perform better in bright light and are even twice as effective in shaded environments. With a capacity of 100 watts via usb-c, the parasol offers the ability to charge devices. For example, drinks can be cooled on the spot in the EverFrost cooler provided by Anker.

The cooler itself, available in three sizes, promises to keep food and drinks cool for up to 104 hours with batteries that can also be used as powerbanks. The batteries are rechargeable via solar power, a wall outlet, usb-c or a car jack.

With a planned launch in the summer of 2025, Anker claims to offer sustainable solutions for adventurers and urban users. What the invention should cost is not yet known.

Solar car that does make it

LightYear did not succeed, but American Aptera perseveres. This year it is presenting the latest edition of its ultra-efficient solar car, equipped with 700 watts of integrated solar cells. These should provide a daily range of 64 km on solar power, meaning that most drivers will not need to recharge. On a full battery, the car can travel up to 643 km.

The futuristic three-wheeled design was co-developed with Pininfarina, the Italian design house that previously worked on iconic Ferrari models. With access to their wind tunnel in Turin, Aptera aims for ultra-low drag, further improving energy efficiency.

Aptera, which had to shut down in 2011 due to lack of funds, returned in 2020 after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Although the company now appears to be closer to mass production, sufficient funding remains a major challenge.

Get rid of all those batteries and cables

Start-up Exeger's Powerfoyle solar cells promise to solve a fundamental problem: the need to charge devices. This innovative solar cell converts light, from sunlight to candlelight, into energy and can be seamlessly integrated into products such as headphones and keyboards. This eliminates the need for charging and makes disposable batteries, which are thrown away billions of times each year, a thing of the past.

The technology is inspired by photosynthesis and uses a flexible material that converts light into electricity. Powerfoyle solar cells are shockproof, waterproof and can take on different textures, such as leather or steel.

With customers like Adidas and Philips and applications in products that power themselves, founder Giovanni Fili envisions a world where cables are no longer needed. "Our grandchildren will laugh at cables," he predicts.