From bilge sock offsets, personalised leasing agreements and waste management logistics, if you implement a Sustainable Oil Recovery marina solution, you will not only save money we’ll help you save time too and minimise your business impact on the environment.
Our Story, Our Why?
In 2011, New Zealand experienced their worst environmental maritime disaster when the Rena, a container ship, spilled tonnes of fuel into the Bay of Plenty. The founder kept track of the impact the spill had on the environment, the people affected, their dogs, the marine life and birds, and the time taken using irresponsible methods to “mop up the mess”. He decided to find a quicker, more environmentally sustainable solution to clean up oil spills, so governments could be prepared.
We looked into numerous different types of materials that soak up oil and supported by ANSTO’s world-leading materials analysis capability, we tested and trialled hundreds of different combinations. We invented Sucoil (‘Suck Oil’), a unique granular sponge material that rapidly absorbs oil from land or water, without absorbing water, never sinks and gets lost and, importantly, beats any other existing material because it can be reused many times with little loss of function.
These images represent the granular cell technology of the core of the sponge.
Our vision
is to clean our earth and its oceans more efficiently and sustainably than ever before, thus leaving the planet healthier than we inherited it.
Sustainable Oil Recovery & Remediation
Company Timeline:
2019:
SOR IS CREATED
Sustainable Oil Recovery was formed under the direction of Founder Captain Marc Kuhl in collaboration with the inventor.
2020:
SUCOIL SPONGE IS BORN
The sponge was rebranded
under the SOR brand's umbrella and trademarked as the Sucoil® Sponge.
2020-21:
PATENT
Provisional Patent: 2020901778 application filed for Australia. An international patent was filed 12 months later.
2021:
CLIMATELAUNCHPAD
FINALISTS
SOR was an Australian national finalist of ClimateLaunchpad
which is the world's largest
green business ideas competition.
2022:
XTREME TECH
WORLD FINALIST
SOR is a Global Finalist of XTC 2022. Xtreme Tech Challenge is a non-profit
organization behind the world's biggest startup competition in the world.
2022 - 23:
TUGGERAH LAKES
STORMWATER TRIAL
SOR’s Stormwater Solution was awarded a Federal Government funded Grant to be implemented at Tuggerah Lakes, NSW in a three month trial with Central Coast Council. Upon successful trial solution rolled out to multiple CCC Sites.
2023:
SORR CREATED, AMAZON WEB SERVICES
& ARQ PARTNERSHIPS
Sustainable Oil Recovery
& Remediation is created, our Stormwater Solution entered into a joint venture partnership to develop sophisticated data capture and analysis on Stormwater Solution.
2024:
SORR & CSIRO
SORR was selected to be a part of the RISE Accelerator Program, a partnership between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
Awards
SORR is a Global Finalist of XTC 2022. Xtreme Tech Challenge is a non-profit organization behind the world’s biggest startup competition that aims to help startups change the world for the better. In our quest, we are supported by leading corporations, VCs, foundations, policymakers, universities and tech conferences.
SORR was an Australian national finalist of ClimateLaunchpad which is the world’s largest green business ideas competition.
Working with
Birkenhead Point Marina, Sydney Harbour
Central Coast Council, NSW
Cockatoo Island Marine, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
Collaborating with
CSIRO
ARQ GROUP
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
Newcastle University
Memberships
SORR is a member of the Climate Salad
SORR is a member of the Queensland AI Hub.
SOR is a member of the Marina Industries Association.
Currently Sponsoring
SORR is currently a sponsor of Ocean in Motions.