As the global shift towards electrification continues, the oil and gas sector is looking to plastics as a key driver of future profits. Jacob Nathan, founder and CEO of Epoch Biodesign, seeks to disrupt this narrative by innovatively breaking down plastics. His journey began in high school, and now, with Epoch’s focus on enzyme technology, he’s changing how plastic waste is processed.
Epoch’s unique approach begins with waste textiles rather than petroleum, which Nathan equates to “a bale of textile is the equivalent of a barrel of oil.” This choice provides stability against the unpredictable nature of oil prices. Epoch employs enzymes to decompose both pre- and post-consumer plastic waste into monomers—the fundamental components of plastics—while avoiding the unpredictability of biological microbes by working directly with industrial enzyme producers.
Utilising a series of enzyme treatments, Epoch is able to recover over 90% of desired monomers. The only by-products from this process are dyes, which are handled separately. Initially, the technology is being applied to nylon 6,6, a strong synthetic material prevalent in various products like clothing, airbags, and climbing gear. Nathan describes nylon 6,6 as the original synthetic fibre, emphasising its ongoing irreplaceability in many applications.
With recent spikes—up to 150%—in the prices of nylon 6,6 precursors due to market volatility, Nathan highlights the advantages of relying on waste textiles instead. This strategy not only shields Epoch from price fluctuations but also enables a more consistent production process by separating material manufacturing from the unpredictable aspects of fossil fuel extraction and refinement.
Nathan’s vision has attracted significant investment, including from apparel giant Lululemon, which recognizes the potential impact of Epoch’s technology given its own reliance on plastics. Lululemon recently participated in a $12 million funding round aimed at launching a demonstration-scale facility near Imperial College London, with plans for a commercial-scale plant expected to commence production by 2028, projected to yield 20,000 metric tons of monomer annually.
Looking towards the future, Nathan sees the potential for expanding their recycling technology to encompass a broader range of plastics, indicating that while nylon 6,6 will be the first focus, there are promising developments on the horizon for other materials. Epoch Biodesign is poised to redefine the landscape of plastic production and waste management while promoting a more sustainable approach to material sourcing.
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