As a result of this collaboration, Repolywise and its partners intend to construct an innovative demonstration plant in Taiwan, aimed at processing and recycling one tonne of plastic waste daily.
Proving the Power of “Atomic Scissors” Technology
The demonstration plant, once operational, will provide proof-of-concept for Repolywise’s novel “Atomic Scissors” technology, a hydrocracking process inspired by research at the University of Oxford. This technology selectively degrades waste plastics - representing a significant portion of the world’s production - and processes them into polypropylene, offering a major advancement in chemical recycling. Repolywise’s process produces virgin-grade polypropylene in an integrated unit for re-use, promoting a circular economy for plastics.
Collaborating Across Sectors for a Sustainable Future
Each of the four partners brings a specific expertise to this pioneering project:
- Acer Synergy Tech Corp. will provide recycled notebooks and contribute its expertise in system integration to help extend the lifecycle of PCs, helping promote a circular economy for plastics.
- Big South Resources Regeneration Co. will provide essential dismantling, sorting, and grading of waste materials, ensuring the efficient recovery of usable plastics.
- Fu-Tai Engineering Co. will offer its expertise in designing and manufacturing reactors integral to the hydrocracking process.
- Repolywise Limited will lead the integration of its Atomic Scissors technology, a breakthrough process for degrading plastics, and optimising its application for this first-of-a-kind integrated operation.
From Lab to Industry: Scaling Plastic Recycling Innovation
Preliminary testing of the reaction has been undertaken on end-of-life Acer products. As development progresses a wider range of plastic samples from Acer Synergy Tech will be sent to Repolywise’s lab at Oxford University’s Begbroke Science Park. These samples will undergo further testing to refine the process parameters for optimal performance in a commercial-scale environment.
Industry Voices: A Shared Vision for the Circular Economy
“Atomic Scissors technology represents a major advancement in chemical recycling, offering a viable pathway to reducing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy,” said Dr Bryan Ng, Founder and CEO of Repolywise. “We are delighted to join forces with these innovative companies to prove the viability of our solution at scale, and we’re confident this project will demonstrate the significant potential of our technology to help solve the global plastic crisis.
A Global Issue, A Scalable Solution
The scale of global plastic waste is immense: 460 billion kilograms of plastics are produced annually, with only approximately 10% being recycled. The Atomic Scissors process holds promise for reducing this waste by converting it back into valuable raw materials, advancing both environmental and economic sustainability. This Taiwan-based pilot unit represents a critical step towards scaling the technology, which has already shown impressive results at a lab scale, in creating a practical solution for managing plastic waste. The design phase for the Taiwan demonstration plant is expected to commence in 2025, with construction projected for 2026.
Partner Perspectives: United for Sustainable Impact
“We are dedicated to marching with the industry toward sustainable practices, and we see this collaboration as a step forward in reducing our environmental footprint,” said KS Harn, General Manager of Acer Synergy Tech Corp. “We are promoting a circular economy that can help decrease the environmental impact of electronic products. We’re proud to contribute our expertise in systems integration and to work alongside Repolywise and its partners to drive forward an integrated solution for plastic waste.”
“At Big South Resources, we recognize the critical importance of reducing plastic waste on a global scale,” said Yi-chie Chen, Vice Chairman of Ming-Fu Group, holding company of Big South Resources Regeneration Co. “This partnership provides an extraordinary opportunity to leverage our extensive experience in sorting and grading materials to help optimize the recovery process for high-value plastics. Together with Repolywise’s advanced recycling technology, we can create a meaningful impact in Taiwan and beyond, supporting both environmental sustainability and the circular economy.”
“We are excited to be part of a project that has the potential to reshape the future of plastics recycling,” said Stark Wu, Chairman of Fu-Tai Engineering Co. “Our team’s expertise in reactor design and manufacturing is essential for the precise execution of Repolywise’s Atomic Scissors technology. Working with such forward-thinking partners to develop a solution that can efficiently and sustainably handle plastic waste at scale is an incredible opportunity for Fu-Tai Engineering and for Taiwan’s green engineering initiatives.”
“We are delighted to host Repolywise amongst our vibrant and innovative community at Oxford University Begbroke Science Park.” said Elaine Walder, Director of Operations, Oxford University Begbroke Science Park. “The groundbreaking work they are doing is vital in reducing plastic pollution. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to make a significant impact on this global issue.”
