As concerns about plastic waste and CO2 emissions grow, CO2-based plastics offer a promising solution. By converting carbon dioxide into reusable materials, these plastics help reduce both pollution and emissions. Startups are using advanced technologies to create sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, addressing the global plastic crisis and promoting a circular economy by making recycling more efficient and accessible.
According to BIS Research, the CO2-based plastics market is valued at $2.82 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.40%, reaching $8.29 billion by 2034.
In this article, we explore how CO2-based plastics are reshaping the future of materials, highlighting leading startups driving these revolutionary changes.
1. Resynergi:
Based in California,
Resynergi uses
Continuous Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis (CMAP) technology to convert plastic waste into reusable materials more efficiently than traditional methods. This process reduces energy consumption, handles hard-to-recycle plastics, and cuts CO2 emissions by up to 68%. Resynergi’s goal is to enhance
plastic circularity, creating a sustainable recycling ecosystem that reduces reliance on virgin plastics and minimizes environmental impact.
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2. DePoly:
DePoly, a Swiss-based startup, focuses on
advanced recycling technologies to address the growing challenge of plastic waste, particularly PET plastics and textiles. Their proprietary process allows them to break down PET plastics without degrading the material’s quality, which is a major issue with conventional recycling. By converting these materials into
high-quality raw materials, DePoly is not only helping reduce plastic waste but also promoting a
circular economy where materials are reused multiple times without losing their value. This method reduces the environmental footprint of plastic production and supports sustainability by ensuring that plastic and textiles can be continuously reused, minimizing landfill waste.
3. CleanHub:
CleanHub is a Berlin-based organization with a strong mission to combat ocean plastic pollution. They provide a platform for brands to
offset their plastic usage by enabling them to collect more plastic than they produce. Through their partnerships with local communities,
CleanHub funds
plastic recovery initiatives in coastal areas, creating a more sustainable waste management system. They emphasize
accountability among businesses and consumers, encouraging companies to take responsibility for their plastic waste. By supporting these recovery efforts, CleanHub helps to prevent plastic from entering the oceans, while also ensuring that plastic waste is managed in an environmentally responsible way.
4.LanzaTech:
LanzaTech, a global leader in carbon recycling, is innovating with a process that captures carbon emissions and converts them into useful chemicals, including building blocks for plastics. By using industrial waste gases and CO2, LanzaTech’s technology helps reduce emissions while creating renewable products like sustainable plastic feedstocks. Their process is part of the growing trend of utilizing CO2 to develop eco-friendly materials and reduce dependence on fossil-based resources in the plastics industry.
5. Newlight Technologies:
Based in California, Newlight Technologies focuses on converting carbon emissions into high-performance bioplastics. Their proprietary technology captures methane (a potent greenhouse gas) and carbon dioxide from industrial sources, then converts it into a material called
Aircarbon, which can be used to produce a variety of plastic products. Aircarbon is a biodegradable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, offering a sustainable solution that helps address plastic pollution while reducing carbon emissions. Their innovation represents a promising step towards creating a circular economy with CO2 as a key resource.
These startups represent a growing movement of innovative companies using cutting-edge technologies to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, from plastic waste and ocean pollution to carbon capture and sustainable material development.
Each of these companies plays a crucial role in promoting a more sustainable, circular economy by offering scalable solutions to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions. These startups exemplify the intersection of deep tech and sustainability, leveraging advanced technologies to address the pressing issue of CO2 emissions and plastic waste.
