Novoloop and Aether Successfully Achieve Pilot Plant's Continuous Operations

Novoloop, a prominent player in plastic circular economy technology, is thrilled to announce the successful launch of its pilot plant in India. In a partnership with Aether Industries, a publicly-listed specialty chemicals manufacturer, the groundbreaking ceremony for the pilot plant in Surat was announced in January 2024. Impressively, construction was swiftly completed in March 2024, showcasing remarkable efficiency. Subsequently, the pilot plant has undergone equipment testing and solvent runs, achieving seamless continuous operations using commercially-representative waste feedstock.

This achievement signifies the transition from batch reactions to an integrated and automated plant, validating Novoloop's pioneering Lifecycling™ technology. Novoloop's Lifecycling™ process is designed to convert post-consumer polyethylene plastic waste into virgin-quality monomers for performance materials, boasting a substantial reduction in carbon footprint of up to 91% compared to conventional methods of producing adipic acid.

Miranda Wang, Co-founder and CEO of Novoloop, emphasized the importance of the project, expressing, "Following years of research, development, and engineering, we have established a profoundly innovative process. Now, our pilot plant is effectively showcasing this technological paradigm shift. We are incredibly enthusiastic about this next phase, where we introduce the initial batches of Lifecycled™ products to the global market."

Motivated by a mission to tackle the recycling challenge posed by the most resilient plastics, Novoloop has secured backing from Rolex as a component of its Perpetual Planet Initiative, acknowledging the company's capacity for substantial environmental influence worldwide.

The primary objectives of the pilot plant include showcasing safe and reliable operations of the integrated process, validating key equipment performance in an industrial setting, and achieving production of high-purity products. Additionally, the facility serves as a training ground for personnel and a platform for developing protocols for commercial operations, producing ton-scale samples to facilitate off-take commitments with early customers.

Dr. Aman Desai, Director and Senior VP of Research, Manufacturing, and Operations at Aether, remarked, "Completing the construction of the pilot plant within six months, from detailed engineering to commissioning, highlights exceptional efficiency and teamwork among the teams involved." He added, "Aether takes pride in collaborating with Novoloop on their pioneering and inventive technology aimed at fostering a circular economy for plastics, and eagerly anticipates advancing this technology towards commercialization."

Looking ahead, Novoloop is already in the process of expanding the pilot capacity to the full 70 metric tons per year demonstration plant scale, further advancing its commitment to revolutionizing plastic recycling technology.

Novoloop, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, and established in 2015, is positioned as a rising force in plastic circularity. This venture-backed startup has garnered over $27M in funding and is dedicated to developing and expanding innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing the chemical value chain. With a commitment to fostering a circular plastic economy, Novoloop is converting post-consumer plastic waste into high-performance materials for various applications, including footwear, sporting goods, and construction.