These 6 companies show that Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are still cradles of innovation

# European Companies Are Solving Real-World Problems with Smarter Materials and Processes Companies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are winning major innovation awards by tackling everyday challenges in new ways. For example, a Portuguese company created eco-friendly plates that look and perform like fine china—durable enough for luxury hotels while being better for the environment—and a British company is finding ways to extract lithium (needed for batteries) more responsibly. These innovations show that solving major problems like waste and sustainable manufacturing doesn't require choosing between doing what's right for the planet and running a successful business.