Plastic focused startup looks to build a sustainable future

by Startacus Admin
Plastech Innovation is a startup on a mission to reduce the plastic waste entering our natural environment...

There are various reasons for this lack of recycling. Surface contamination can cause the markets to which they’re sold to say no, so even the slightest food residue and grease can mean the plastic doesn’t get recycled. Even colour additives in the plastic can make its makeup too inconsistent to be recycled. Instead, these plastics go to a landfill, an incinerator, or get dumped into the ocean, where they are responsible for the death of marine life.
At the current rate, there will be 4 lorry-loads of plastic dumped into the ocean every minute by 2050.
A Durham-based startup and soon to be spin-out from Durham University, Plastech Innovation is developing a solution to reduce the volume of plastic waste entering our natural environment.
Their idea is similar to BioCellection, except that rather than breaking plastics down into chemicals, they are processing it for use in construction using their expertise in material science and nanotechnology. The idea is to replace the heavy aggregates in concrete and other construction materials with this plastic aggregate, which is lighter-weight, eco-friendly, and thermally insulating.
This process is beneficial to everyone involved. The plastic is sourced from waste management companies, who save money and improve their environmental impact as they become more eco-friendly. Construction companies save on transportation costs, not least of all because of how much lighter the plastic aggregate is compared to current aggregates, and also improve their reputation as environmentally-conscious companies, an important thing to be in an increasingly eco-aware society.
We can’t pretend to know whether the savings will carry through to the end consumer who buys the new construction, but if they’re less likely to see a dead whale the next time they visit the beach, we’d call that a benefit.
In January, Plastech was invited onto the first cohort for the Durham City Incubator, and just a few months later they went through to the final of Shell LiveWIRE and were announced the winners of Bright SCIdea 2019. At the end of April, they were announced as the winners of that Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Award and the £5k to go with it. Most recently, they have made it through to the finals of the Durham University Blueprint Competition, and we wish them luck!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Whether you're recruiting for a small tech startup or a large well-established organisation, these tips will help you stay on top of your game

AlphaBeats is a startup that's created an innovative way to help us all us fight stress while we unwind listening to our favourite music

Whirli is an innovative toy subscription service providing you with access to a huge ever-changing toy box

To help businesses make their employees feel secure in the current lockdown, Jayne Harrison, Head of Employment Law at Richard Nelson LLP outlines the legalities that they should adhere to

If, like many of us you're working from home at the moment, here are a few basic tips to help you do just that - in comfort

The award winning Lloyds Lab incubator is back and is currently seeking innovative startups to join its latest cohort, Cohort 6.

The f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign that's showcasing the inspirational female entrepreneurs who are running small businesses and supporting their communities

Bankhouse Media, the leading full-service digital marketing agency expands its offering and sets up a Belfast base in Glandore

Leading event marketplace, Feast It secures major funding boost to assist with its expansion to full event planning and also further grow its virtual events offering

The London-based fintech innovator, PayDashboard, receives Innovate UK Funding to support its growth in the financial wellness space
Published on: 5th May 2019
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Innovative InsurTech startups take note - Lloyds Lab wants to hear from you 14th Jan 2021 The award winning Lloyds Lab incubator is back and is currently seeking innovative startups to join its latest cohort, Cohort 6.
- Female Entrepreneurs Powering Economy and Communities Celebrated 13th Jan 2021 The f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign that's showcasing the inspirational female entrepreneurs who are running small businesses and supporting their communities
- PayDashboard secures funding boost for its innovative payslip platform 12th Jan 2021 The London-based fintech innovator, PayDashboard, receives Innovate UK Funding to support its growth in the financial wellness space
- The Wild Curl crowdfunds to fight against hair discrimination 21st Dec 2020 The Wild Curl launches crowdfunding campaign to help with its mission of disrupting the beauty industry and fighting against continuous hair discrimination