The startup has developed a biotechnology platform that enhances the production and distribution of enzymes used in the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. This technology enables recycling facilities to process all consumed PET bottles efficiently, addressing the challenge of plastic waste management in the supply chain.
Funding
$200K 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.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current mechanical recycling methods for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) result in chain shortening, which degrades material quality and limits the number of recycling cycles. Existing recycling technologies are not efficient enough to process all consumed PET, leading to environmental contamination of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Solution
BreakPET has developed a biotechnology platform that enhances the enzymatic depolymerization of PET, enabling the upcycling of post-consumer plastic waste into virgin-quality materials. The technology utilizes engineered enzymes to break down PET polymers into their constituent monomers, which can then be re-polymerized into new PET products. This enzymatic recycling process offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to address plastic waste, allowing for the complete recirculation of PET and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The process enables the recycling of PET that is currently considered unrecyclable by traditional mechanical methods.
Target Audience
The primary customers are recycling facilities and companies in the plastic manufacturing industry seeking to improve the sustainability of their products and reduce plastic waste.
Features
- Engineered enzymes for accelerated and stable PET depolymerization
- Semi-industrial, continuous process for efficient PET breakdown
- Depolymerization of 50% of PET material within 8 hours
- Technology applicable to materials that current recycling methods are unable to process