One of the segments of the Themis Ecosystem (TE), an extraordinary business environment that sets new rules for a more sustainable future, is also its research department. Upon launching the first factory—or the activation of the first driver, the Biomass Ultima (BU) plant—the team came up with the idea that research would also occur at this location.
In fact, the official name of the BU plant is Scientific Research Lab 01, and it was primarily conceived as a knowledge hub; a model site where interested parties can witness firsthand how the process converts wood biomass into green electricity, organic wood vinegar, organic tar, organic carbon, and organic fertilizer.
A part of the premises was dedicated to a special technology called Biomass Ultima Micro (BUM), which represents an authentic and complete miniature version of the entire process. Simultaneously, BUM also serves as an excellent platform for conducting research.
Research Is Moving to the Academic and Industrial Energy Hub (AIEH)
Recently, the leadership team, headed by founder Roberto Hroval, began developing concrete agreements for exclusive collaboration with prestigious universities. It gradually became clear that the universities would take over the part of the project related to research.
As a result, the leadership decided that the research equipment and all necessary technology would not be installed in a dedicated room at the BU factory, but would instead be moved to another location—to the Academic and Industrial Energy Hub (AIEH).
The AIEH is, in essence, a larger area where various green energy projects are united in one place. The teams, assigned to different areas and purposes, are composed of top-tier selected experts who carry out specialized research projects using the latest equipment, often for globally renowned and prominent clients from European and American markets.
With the transfer of BUM to AIEH, both sides benefit. TE outsources the research part in the best possible way, entrusting it to a well-established team of leading experts. At the same time, AIEH gets the opportunity to collaborate on the research and development of the latest technologies introduced by TE.
But this is just one of the advantages for TE. Besides the fact that the academic institution has way more experts and potent talent, more experience, more opportunities, and ideas regarding research, the collaboration between TE and the university will also expand into other complementary activities. For example, the academic team will also raise awareness among the professional public, announce new findings in expert publications and knowledge-sharing events, and present the technology to interested partners.
As a result, the TE team will be able to devote more time to developing new drivers and to the other two segments of the Themis Ecosystem: product digitalization and charity activities.
Moreover, moving the laboratory to AIEH also brings spatial benefits—a considerable part of the space at the BU factory, which was initially designated for the BUM installation, will be freed up. And the team knows exactly what to fill this space with. “By moving the BUM technology to AIEH, we will have more space for diamond production,” said the founder.
Transitioning From Green Energy to Lab-Grown Diamonds: The Themis Ecosystem’s Strategic Pivot
Over a span exceeding two years, a dedicated team meticulously evaluated the feasibility of integrating lab-grown diamond production into their operations. The analysis revealed that focusing on high-quality lab-grown diamonds as a primary product rather than on electricity generation could yield approximately seven times greater profits. This shift also offers the advantage of reduced dependency on volatile energy markets.
The plan involves integrating these reactors as standalone units within the existing processes. With the Biomass Ultima (BU) plant nearing operational readiness, the first reactor will be installed there. The initial phase will involve six months of electricity production, after which the reactor will be powered using the generated electricity.
The TE team selected High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) reactors—currently considered the pinnacle of synthetic diamond production. These machines mimic the natural geological conditions under which diamonds form, compressing carbon under extreme heat and pressure until crystalline perfection is achieved.
The diamonds will be produced under the Zeta Quantum Diamonds (ZQD) brand and classified as E-grade (colorless), in round brilliant cut form, and rated VS1 on the clarity scale—placing them in the upper tier of gemstone quality. Each stone will be independently verified and certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world’s largest and most trusted laboratory for diamond authentication, with 29 global branches and educational centers in over 10 countries.
Subsequent installations of the second and third reactors are planned following the successful operation of the first. The BU plant’s capacity is sufficient to supply power to all three reactors. Under current operating conditions, each reactor is capable of producing up to 33 carats of diamonds per month, with an average market value of approximately $2,500 per carat.
Aligning With Industry Trends
As global awareness of ecological degradation and labor exploitation grows, the diamond industry is undergoing a silent revolution, and lab-grown diamonds are at its forefront.
One of the most compelling reasons for this transition lies in the staggering environmental footprint of traditional diamond mining. Extracting natural diamonds typically involves massive-scale excavation—literally moving mountains. Open-pit mines can stretch for miles, leaving deep craters, displaced ecosystems, and vast amounts of waste. In sharp contrast, lab-grown diamonds are created in compact, controlled environments, with exponentially lower ecological disruption.
To quantify the difference, a single carat of mined diamond generates approximately 4,000 times more waste than its lab-grown counterpart, according to a report by Clean Origin.
This disparity extends beyond soil and rock. The water footprint is equally alarming—mining consumes nearly seven times more water per carat, and traditional production uses up to ten times more energy.
Besides, the 2022 study by Frost & Sullivan concluded that creating synthetic diamonds typically consumes only about 50 percent of the energy needed for mining natural stones.
In the case of Themis Ecosystem, the energy equation shifts even further in favor of sustainability. All Zeta Quantum Diamonds will be synthesized using 100 percent green electricity produced by the BU facility. This means the process is not just energy-efficient but entirely carbon-neutral.
The environmental advantage extends to climate impact. According to a comparative lifecycle assessment by Stanford University researchers, the average carbon dioxide emissions per carat for natural diamonds are around 143 pounds, while lab-grown diamonds emit just 26 pounds per carat—a reduction of more than 80 percent:
Beyond environmental metrics lies another uncomfortable truth: the human cost of diamond mining. In regions where regulation is weak, mining operations have long been linked to exploitative labor, unsafe conditions, and, in extreme cases, child labor. The lingering presence of so-called blood diamonds in global markets, despite the Kimberley Process, undermines the ethical standing of the traditional industry:
Lab-grown diamonds offer a clean break. Created in verifiable, controlled conditions, their production involves no forced labor, no displacement of communities, and no environmental violence. They’re inherently animal- and human-friendly, offering complete supply chain transparency from lab to finger.
So it is unsurprising that the lab-grown diamond sector has experienced significant growth, now accounting for an estimated 20% of global diamond jewelry sales, up from nearly zero in 2015. This surge is attributed to advancements in production technology and changing consumer preferences towards more sustainable and ethically sourced products.
According to Don O’Connell, CEO of Charles & Colvard—a pioneer in the lab-created gemstone market—modern consumers want more than a beautiful stone. Research shows that nearly 70% of millennials would consider purchasing a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. This figure has only continued to rise with Generation Z’s even stronger environmental and social consciousness.
“They want to feel good about the diamond,” O’Connell said. “As the push for conscious consumerism grows, the rise in lab-grown diamonds is not surprising.” His sentiment echoes the broader cultural shift: a diamond is no longer just a symbol of love or luxury—it’s increasingly a reflection of personal values.
The global jewelry industry has begun to realign with changing values. Iconic brands are moving decisively toward lab-grown options. Pandora, the world’s largest jewelry company by volume, made headlines when it ceased using mined diamonds entirely in its collections. Likewise, Signet Jewelers—currently the world’s largest diamond retailer—has acknowledged and embraced this transformation in consumer preference.
The Unique Way to Distribute ZQD Diamonds
Creating lab-grown diamonds is only one part of the value chain; their efficient and consistent distribution is an equally crucial task. Many producers in the diamond industry face a major bottleneck after production, with unsold inventory accumulating in storage, tying up resources, and generating no return. Themis Ecosystem has found a unique solution to this challenge by redefining how value is shared and circulated within its system.
Instead of following the conventional business model that relies on external buyers and complex sales pipelines, TE has developed an integrated, closed-loop approach to both production and distribution. At the heart of this model lies its innovative support mechanism, the Project Phoenix8 IRMU (Industrial Raw Material Unit), a special e-voucher purchased by early project supporters.
Holders of IRMUs have two options: they can sell them for cash or exchange them for diamonds. Their high market demand, combined with a transparent, verifiable certification from the International Gemological Institute (IGI), makes them a compelling option for voucher holders who wish to store or trade value.
From an economic standpoint, this model resembles what some analysts describe as “collaborative capitalism,” where contributors are not just passive investors but active participants in the value cycle. It encourages long-term engagement, sustainable growth, and financial empowerment of those involved, particularly in regions with limited access to global markets.
By merging high science with high ethics, ZQD isn’t just offering a luxury product but a new standard. In doing so, Themis Ecosystem continues to demonstrate how circular economy principles, when paired with cutting-edge technology, can generate financial returns and measurable, meaningful impact.