Radical Dot scales a disruptive chemical technology that converts non-recyclable plastic waste into essential chemical building blocks.
Underlying problems:
(1) The chemical industry derives over 90% of its raw materials from fossil fuels and is responsible for over 41% of global emissions. Using plastic waste as an alternative would transform a problematic material into a useful resource.
(2) Current recycling processes are inadequate and do not provide affordable solutions for the majority of plastic waste. As a result, over 90% of plastic waste worldwide remains unrecycled, contributing to environmental pollution and climate change through incineration.
(3) Existing plastics recycling technologies are limited due to (i) the wide variety of plastic types, (ii) complex and costly plastics sorting, and (iii) low tolerance to contaminants. Historically, mechanically recycled materials have yielded poor material properties and been limited in their use. On the other hand, emerging chemical recycling technologies have struggled with economic competitiveness due to expensive waste sorting and purification.
Solution: Radical Dot is scaling a novel chemical technology for recycling plastic waste that is incinerated or landfilled. We produce circular and cost-effective chemical building blocks that meet the upcoming mandatory recycled content requirements in the plastics industry. We are initially targeting the specific market for acetic acid specialty polymers. In the long term, we aim to produce primary chemicals to tap into the massive $400 billion market.