Company: Indelics GmbH

Founder: Leonid Enov

Date Founded: November 2025

Industry and Company: Raw Material Recycling / Secondary Raw Materials (Industrial Minerals, Circular Economy)

What drives you? What is your motto?

What drives me: starting something new and turning an idea into something real.

What is your startup about, and what makes it special?

Indelics mechanically reprocesses mineral-based industrial waste—using only impact energy, without burning and without chemicals. Worthless waste is transformed into a secondary raw material that replaces virgin materials. 

What makes it special: Our processing plant fits inside a container and travels directly to the customer. This makes recycling worthwhile even for small and medium-sized businesses.

What have been your initial successes?

A recycled material we processed was approved by an industrial customer for ongoing production—which led to a long-term supply relationship. Another material was successfully tested and approved for demanding use at very high temperatures.

What is your professional background?

I’ve been working with minerals and raw materials for industry for over 15 years. I started out in raw materials export, moved to Germany in 2018, and developed the international sales division before founding Indelics.

What prompted you to start your own company?

For 15 years, I sold raw materials that are sourced thousands of kilometers away and are primarily imported from Asia. The last few years have shown just how fragile these supply chains are: prices doubled, and the EU covers barely 30% of its own needs. At the same time, Europe is burying the very same material as waste. This contradiction wouldn’t let me rest—and that’s how Indelics came to be.

Who has advised you, and who are your supporters and mentors?

My family is my biggest source of support. On the technical side, I’m supported by my Estonian technology partner, the startup advisory service of the City of Wiesbaden, and a regional funding program for entrepreneurs. A renowned research institute provides us with scientific support.

What were your first days as a founder like?

The first few days were a roller coaster: enormous freedom and, at the same time, the feeling of being solely responsible for everything. After years as an employee, it was unusual to look at a blank page in the morning—and yet incredibly motivating.

What was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

Surprisingly, the biggest hurdle wasn’t the technology, but the logistics: waste transport is expensive and legally complex. We solved this by building the system into a container that travels to the customer—eliminating the need for transport altogether.

How do you raise awareness of your company? What’s your best marketing idea?

I rely on direct contact with industry experts: sample deliveries and joint testing at the customer’s site are more convincing than any advertisement. I also attend trade shows, give presentations in the industry, and collaborate with research partners.

How did you secure funding for your startup?

I started with my own funds. This is supplemented by public funding programs and support from industry partners.

What dream do you still want to make a reality?

A fleet of mobile recycling plants across Europe—and for Wiesbaden to remain their home base.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would...

...I’d work even more.

What’s your top tip: What would you recommend to founders?

Talk to real customers early on. A prototype in the customer’s hands speaks louder than any business plan.