Trends Identified
New Markets
Based on four years of Global Opportunity Report data, it is clear that new market opportunities emerge at the intersection of technology and sustainability risks. The vast majority of our 55 opportunities employ technological innovations, but the digitalisation of certain products and services will not be enough to remain competitive in the future market universe. True innovation lies in finding the intersection of a business sector and technology.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Unchaining land rights
Securing proof of land ownership is an enabling factor for increasing equality. Blockchain technology has the potential to make land registration transparent and tamper-proof. Securing land titles is an important step in empowering people to make investments and improve their financial situation.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Illuminating supply chains
In an increasingly globalised world, understanding supply chains in the food and retail sector can be di cult and lead to the unfair treatment of workers, who are invisible to consumers at the point of purchase. Increasing transparency via new technologies allows consumers, companies, and others to influence supply chain choices.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Alternative food sources
Insects have been a food staple in some countries for centuries, but they are now beginning to disrupt Western agriculture and aquaculture with their high feed efficiencies and attractive environmental credentials. With increasing demand for high-protein food and new products appearing regularly, this is a breakthrough market to watch.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Construction in progress
As we build the world around us at ever-growing speed, the highly-emitting construction sector must adopt circular approaches and adapt to disruptive technologies in order to cut emissions. Upcycling waste into construction materials will result in a six-fold value increase, strengthening the industry’s foundations.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Reuse to repower
As the mobility sector transitions to an electric future, we will soon see a wave of used batteries becoming obsolete when their capacity becomes too low to use in electric vehicles (EVs). However, by repurposing mobile EV batteries in new stationary settings, it is possible to double battery life cycles to more than 20 years.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Upcycling carbon
Urgently cutting carbon emissions at source is essential to mitigating catastrophic climate change, and negative emissions are needed to keep us on the well below 2°C pathway. Business is increasingly discovering ways to upcycle carbon, generating more value, emitting less and accelerating carbon negative technologies.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Keeping it cool
As the planet warms and populations become increasingly urbanised, the demand for cooling is on the rise, but existing technology is outdated and heavily polluting. With the increasing need to reduce carbon emissions, this growing market presents more and more opportunities to reduce the need for cooling and make cooling efficient.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Sustainable shipping
International trade relies on shipping, and despite technological improvements, emissions continue to increase as trade increases. Decarbonising short-haul shipping is an expanding market opportunity driven by developments in battery technology and alternative fuels, with the potential to help the sector’s low-carbon transition.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Reimagining plastics
Plastics are an integral part of the global economy, but the current linear value chain results in high proportions of underutilised resources that end up in the oceans and threaten marine ecosystems. Innovation opportunities are emerging in material design and the reprocessing of plastics to unlock latent value and protect the oceans.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL