Birch Biosciences develops high-performance enzymes using generative AI and high-throughput screening to enable advanced plastic recycling. This proprietary enzymatic process breaks down plastic polymers into monomers, allowing for the production of 100% recycled content plastics matching virgin quality. The technology significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions in plastic manufacturing while achieving competitive process economics.
Funding
$2.2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
NSSSUDFounders
Product
Problem
The current U.S. plastic recycling rate is only 9%, due to the production of recycled plastic that is often lower quality and more expensive than virgin plastic derived from fossil fuels. Manufacturing new plastic contributes significantly to global carbon emissions.
Solution
Birch Biosciences is developing engineered enzymes that deconstruct plastic polymers into chemical monomers, which can then be repolymerized into 100% recycled plastic resin. The company utilizes generative AI and high-throughput screening to redesign enzymes with enhanced recycling capabilities. This enzymatic recycling process breaks down plastics at the molecular level, enabling the production of high-quality, recycled plastics that match the quality of virgin plastics. The technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic manufacturing by over 70% and improves the economics of recycling, making recycled plastic cost-competitive.
Target Audience
The primary customers are plastic manufacturers, recycling companies, and businesses seeking sustainable packaging solutions.
Features
- Engineered enzymes that act as "molecular scissors" to break down plastic polymers
- Generative AI and high-throughput screening techniques for enzyme redesign
- Proprietary recycling process that converts plastics into chemical monomers
- Production of 100% recycled plastic resin suitable for manufacturing high-quality plastic products
- Enzymatically recycled plastic matches the quality of new, fossil-fuel-based plastic
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions for plastic manufacturing by over 70%
- Improved process economics enable competitive pricing of recycled plastic