Terracle utilizes a solvent-free, visible-light photocatalyst depolymerization process to recycle polyester-based waste streams, including low-grade and contaminated PET. This Terra-X technology breaks down polymers into high-purity monomers like Cr-TPA and Cr-EG at the molecular level. The resulting recycled monomers are drop-in chemical products that meet virgin material purity standards for immediate industrial use.
Funding
$7.9M 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
Plastic waste poses a significant environmental challenge due to the limitations of traditional recycling methods, which often result in downcycling or landfill disposal, leading to pollution and resource depletion. Many types of plastics, especially low-grade or contaminated PET, are considered non-recyclable using conventional mechanical recycling processes. This results in a linear "take-make-dispose" model that is unsustainable.
Solution
Terracle offers a chemical depolymerization technology that breaks down plastic polymers, including traditionally non-recyclable PET waste, into their original monomer building blocks. This process enables the creation of virgin-quality plastics from recycled materials, achieving a closed-loop recycling system. The depolymerization process uses catalysts and solvents to efficiently convert PET into high-purity Cr-TPA and Cr-EG monomers. These monomers can then be reused in the production of new plastics, ensuring no loss of quality and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
Target Audience
Terracle's primary customers include plastic manufacturers, packaging companies, and waste management facilities seeking sustainable solutions for plastic recycling and the production of virgin-quality materials.
Features
- Proprietary depolymerization process for PET plastic waste, including colored and contaminated materials.
- Production of high-purity Cr-TPA and Cr-EG monomers that meet virgin-quality standards.
- Low-temperature and atmospheric pressure operation, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
- Closed-loop recycling system enabling infinite recycling of plastics without quality degradation.
- Achieves over 99% recycling rate.
- Reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional plastic production methods.