ICURe spin-out addressing the plastic waste crisis

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with nearly 460 billion kilograms of plastic produced annually and only 10% of it recycled. Repolywise, an innovative start-up at Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, is rising to meet this challenge with a transformative recycling solution. Using a novel process powered by catalytic chemistry, Repolywise converts waste plastics into propane and, ultimately, back into polypropylene – completing a true circular economy cycle. With support from the Innovate UK ICURe Programme, Repolywise is now well-positioned to bring its ground-breaking approach to industry and help reshape global recycling infrastructure.

From Oxford Chemistry to entrepreneurial vision

Repolywise was co-founded by Dr. Bryan Ng and Roland Lewis, who met during the former’s doctoral research at the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry. The company’s innovation was inspired by a decade of work in heterogeneous catalysis, a field focused on designing catalysts which accelerate chemical reactions. Recognising the limitations of traditional recycling methods and the environmental burden of plastic waste, the team began developing a process that could depolymerise a range of plastics at the molecular level and rebuild them into high-quality, reusable materials.

The breakthrough was what they call Atomic Scissors – a catalytic approach capable of slicing long polymer chains into uniform propane molecules. These molecules can then be easily upgraded and repolymerised into virgin-grade plastic, closing the loop in a way that traditional mechanical or chemical recycling methods cannot.

Why traditional recycling is falling short

The global plastic waste crisis is compounded by the limitations of existing recycling methods. Most recycling today is mechanical, namely the shredding and melting of plastic, which degrades its quality and limits its reuse, especially in high-grade or contact-sensitive applications like food packaging. Meanwhile experimental chemical recycling techniques typically produce pyrolysis oil, an intermediate which in most cases must undergo further high-energy processing and, in some cases, has raised concerns about environmental integrity and greenwashing.

Repolywise aims to overcome both the performance and economic barriers that have historically held back the recycling sector by designing a solution which is a direct one-step reaction, highly-selective, and with a simplified “mass balance” calculation. However, transforming an academic innovation into a viable industrial technology presents challenges, including demonstrating technical scalability, understanding market demand and building partnerships across the plastics supply chain.

Cutting through to a circular economy

At the heart of Repolywise’s innovation is a closed-loop recycling process centred on its Atomic Scissors technology. The process begins by breaking down unsorted plastic waste into propane, which itself is a useful hydrocarbon monomer. The propane can be used directly in a variety of processes, or converted into propylene via propane dehydrogenation, a mature process widely used in the petrochemical industry. This propylene is subsequently polymerised to create polypropylene, one of the most commonly used plastics globally.

The result is a high-quality plastic made from 100% recycled content, indistinguishable from plastics produced using virgin fossil fuels. Unlike other recycling methods, Repolywise’s solution eliminates the need for complex intermediates and additional processing steps, making it more energy-efficient, scalable and commercially attractive.

This innovation offers significant benefits for sustainability, reducing reliance on fossil-based feedstocks and enabling a new circular economy model for plastic manufacturing.

ICURe: Building confidence beyond the lab

Repolywise participated in both the ICURe Explore and Exploit programmes in 2023–2024. These programmes provided critical funding, mentorship and commercial insight at key stages in the company’s development.

Through the Explore programme the team engaged with over 250 stakeholders across the plastics value chain, from waste managers and packaging producers to consumer goods manufacturers. These conversations helped validate customer demand, identify viable use cases and refine the company’s go-to-market strategy.

In the Exploit phase Repolywise began laying the groundwork for commercialisation, including the initial design of a closed-loop demonstration unit to showcase the technology at scale. This step helped attract industry interest and positioned the company for future investment.

Milestones on the road to commercialisation

The support received from ICURe was pivotal in shaping Repolywise’s commercial trajectory. Key outcomes to date include:

• Validated demand from more than 250 companies through global customer discovery interviews
• Technical validation via sample analysis conducted in collaboration with industry partners
• Demonstration unit design initiated to scale the technology and prove viability to stakeholders
• Industry recognition, with increasing interest from organisations aligned with sustainability and circular economy goals

These achievements have helped de-risk the venture and increase its attractiveness to investors and strategic partners alike.

Plans for industrial impact

Repolywise’s next step is to build and operate its first demonstration plant, validating performance at scale and producing proof-of-concept material for industrial users. The company is also actively developing partnerships with waste management firms and downstream manufacturers to integrate its technology into existing infrastructure.

To support this scale-up Repolywise is seeking additional funding and investment. The goal is to commercialise the solution and establish closed-loop recycling hubs in key markets where polypropylene demand is high and sustainable alternatives are urgently needed.

ICURe gave us the structure and confidence to step beyond the lab and into the market. The feedback and connections we made helped shape our commercial vision and proved that there’s real demand for what we’re building. The wider Innovate UK initiatives are hugely valuable to us too, along with the ongoing feedback from their senior figures.

– Dr Bryan Ng, Co-Founder, Repolywise

Closing the loop on plastic waste

Repolywise exemplifies the power of translating academic research into practical, high-impact solutions for global challenges. By participating in the Innovate UK ICURe programme the team was able to test assumptions, validate demand, and set a clear course for scale-up.

Their work is more than just a scientific breakthrough – it’s a pathway toward a truly circular plastic economy. As Repolywise continues its journey, it stands as a compelling example of how targeted innovation support can unlock the commercial potential of the UK’s world-leading research base.