DePoly Chemical Recycling of PET Plastics: From Trash to Treasure

"Over 90% of plastics worldwide are not recycled. This needs to change!"

Source: depoly.co

Service Overview

Chemical Depolymerization Process

DePoly’s core technology focuses on chemical depolymerization, a process that breaks down PET plastics and polyester fibres into their fundamental chemical building blocks—terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, which grinds and melts plastics, often degrading their quality, chemical depolymerization breaks the plastic down at the molecular level, allowing the raw materials to retain their original quality.

"As good as new: Our recycled PTA and MEG are virgin-grade drop-in solutions substituting fossil-based incumbents"

Source: depoly.co

Handling Contaminated Plastics

One of the standout features of DePoly’s technology is its ability to handle contaminated PET waste, including plastics that are mixed, coloured, labelled, or contain other impurities. This flexibility eliminates the need for extensive pre-cleaning, sorting, or removal of labels and additives, which are typically required in mechanical recycling. This capability not only simplifies the recycling process but also increases the amount of plastic that can be effectively recycled.

Room-Temperature and Low-Energy Process

DePoly’s process operates at room temperature and uses environmentally benign chemicals, which contrasts with the high-temperature and energy-intensive methods used in many traditional recycling processes. This results in significantly lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective.

Closed-Loop Recycling

The chemical depolymerization process returns the PET waste back to its original monomers, TPA and EG, which can then be used to manufacture new PET plastics without any loss in quality. This closed-loop approach supports a circular economy, as the materials can be endlessly recycled back into new products, reducing the need for virgin petrochemical resources and minimizing plastic waste.

Versatility in Applications

The high-quality TPA and EG recovered from DePoly’s process can be reused in various industries, including the production of new PET bottles, packaging materials, textiles, and other polyester-based products. This versatility broadens the scope of applications and further enhances the environmental benefits by continuously reusing the same raw materials.

Scalability and Industrial Integration

DePoly’s technology is designed to be scalable and easily integrated into existing recycling and waste management infrastructures. This makes it an attractive option for industries, municipalities, and companies looking to improve their sustainability practices by adopting more efficient and less polluting recycling technologies. The company has built a pilot plant with a capacity of 50 tonnes per year and is working on a showcase plant with a capacity of 500 tonnes per year to demonstrate the technology at a commercial scale.

Environmental Impact and Market Relevance

By addressing the limitations of traditional recycling methods, DePoly’s chemical recycling technology not only reduces plastic waste but also helps mitigate the environmental impact associated with plastic production and disposal. It contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Why It Matters

"Circularity is at the heart of what we do. We work closely with companies to provide a solution for their complex waste. Our process turns this waste into quality raw materials, rendering circular applications of PET possible."

Source: depoly.co

Traditional recycling methods struggle with PET plastics, especially when contaminated with dyes, additives, or mixed materials. DePoly’s chemical recycling technology overcomes these hurdles, providing a robust and sustainable solution that maximizes recycling efficiency while producing high-quality, reusable raw materials. This innovation supports industries in their efforts to meet sustainability targets and reduce their environmental footprint.

Recognition and awards

Top 100 Swiss Startup Award 2024: DePoly announced that it has secured the #1 spot in the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award for 2024, marking a significant milestone after five consecutive years of being recognized among Switzerland’s most promising startups. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of Team DePoly in advancing their innovative recycling solutions. The recognition underscores DePoly’s leading role in sustainable technology within the startup ecosystem.

Industry Recognition: The investment from major companies like BASF, Beiersdorf, and others indicates strong industry recognition of DePoly's technology and potential.

Pricing

For precise pricing information, it’s best to contact DePoly directly through their official website.