February 20, 2025 – Plastic Back, an Israeli startup specializing in low-temperature chemical recycling, has announced a collaboration with a Connecticut-based recycler to address difficult-to-treat plastics. The collaboration, aimed at reducing plastic waste through innovative chemical processes, is supported by the BIRD Foundation (The Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation), the Israel Innovation Authority, and the Ministry of Energy.

Every year, over 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced globally, with less than 6% of it being recycled. The remainder leaks into the environment or ends up in landfills, causing an estimated resource loss of $120 billion annually, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Current recycling technologies are insufficient to handle the vast amounts of plastic waste being generated.

Plastic Back’s breakthrough technology facilitates the conversion of hard-to-recycle waste, such as PVC, into high-value oils and other valuable byproducts. This process reduces plastic waste landfilling and decreases the need for virgin feedstock, contributing to a more sustainable, circular economy.

This innovative chemical recycling process is rooted in advanced research developed in collaboration with Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This partnership has enabled the transformation of cutting-edge academic discoveries into scalable industrial solutions, reinforcing Plastic Back’s leadership in sustainable petrochemical practices.

This breakthrough technology addresses the global plastic waste crisis by providing a scalable solution to recycle difficult-to-treat plastics, such as PVC, which would otherwise contribute to landfill overflow and environmental pollution. By transforming plastic waste back into valuable resources, this innovation supports a circular economy, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and promotes a more sustainable future for industries and communities worldwide.

Plastic Back will develop and test chemical recycling of PVC waste streams at a U.S. recycler into products like naphtha-range oils and brine solutions. Both byproducts can be reintegrated into existing petrochemical processes for producing new products, thereby reducing reliance on traditional plastic manufacturing methods. The company has set an ambitious goal of upcycling 100,000 tons of plastic waste by 2030.

“We see the PVC chemical recycling segment as a major opportunity,” said Tal Binder Cohen, CEO of Plastic Back. “The support from the BIRD Foundation strengthens our ability to commercialize our solution in the U.S. and close the loop on difficult-to-treat PVC waste streams.”

“BIRD Energy fosters innovative projects through partnerships between leading Israeli and U.S. companies in renewable energy,” says Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority. “This collaboration aligns with the global trend of investing billions into clean energy solutions.”