Can something as ordinary as plastic become a force for good? Can technology step in to tackle the ever-growing problem of plastic waste, which threatens our oceans and ecosystems? These were the questions that fueled the vision of Nanomatics, a start-up born from years of dedication and innovation.
Nanomatics, founded in 2021, emerged from many years of relentless research and development. Andrei Veksha, Founder and Director, recounted, “It all started back in 2015 when I embarked on my research journey, determined to address environmental issues and make our planet a better place to live in. In 2021, the stars aligned for Nanomatics as my team and I recognised an opportunity to take our laboratory breakthroughs and confront one of humanity's most pressing challenges – the devastating impact of plastic waste pollution. We believed that the technology we had developed was ready to tackle this global environmental crisis.”
Their mission? To address the challenge of hard-to-recycle plastic waste, the kind that typically ends up in incinerators, landfills or polluting the environment. Andrei shared, “Over 90% of plastics fall into this non-recyclable category due to contamination and high processing costs, making recycling economically unviable. This led to millions of tonnes of plastic waste polluting our world every year.” Nanomatics set out to change this narrative. Their innovation turned plastic waste into valuable carbon nanomaterials, hence the name of their start-up "Nanomatics" — a combination of "Nanoma" (from carbon nanomaterials) and "tics" (from plastics). Their start-up journey began in 2020 with the Lean LaunchPad program, where they learned to translate inventive technologies into commercially viable products and feasible business ventures.
By 2023, Nanomatics had not only developed a groundbreaking solution but also forged vital connections. Through PIER71’s Smart Port Challenge 2022, they built ties with companies, start-ups, investors and potential customers in the maritime industry who shared their mission to combat plastic waste pollution. Their dedication was also rewarded with a grant from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund, which enabled them to collaborate with a local maritime company to deploy their solution on ships. More recently, they also clinched the Grand Prize at the inaugural iGnite Award, a flagship start-up support programme organised by Alpha JWC Ventures in partnership with NUS Enterprise, designed to nurture the next generation of impact-driven founders.
At the heart of Nanomatics' innovation is their Thermo-CVD technology, a game-changing solution for the plastic waste problem. This transformative process starts with mixed contaminated plastic waste entering the first reactor, where it is broken down, and valuable resources like oil and aluminum are recovered. The remaining gases then flow into the second reactor, where Nanomatics' proprietary catalyst works its magic, capturing carbon in the form of carbon nanomaterials. These materials, such as carbon nanotubes, are high-value additives used in manufacturing, making plastic recycling not only environmentally responsible but also profitable. Additionally, the process generates hydrogen, a valuable resource for the decarbonisation of the chemical industry.
What truly sets Nanomatics apart is their ability to convert plastic waste into carbon nanomaterials. This innovation not only adds value to plastic waste but also effectively locks carbon in a solid form, preventing carbon dioxide emissions that would be otherwise released during plastic waste incineration.
“Looking forward, Nanomatics is gearing up to break ground on their first demonstration plant in Singapore later this year. This facility will serve as a launchpad for innovation, paving the way for commercial operations within the next three years,” said Andrei. Indeed, Nanomatics is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in the face of one of our planet's most pressing challenges — plastic waste pollution.
Find out more at: https://nanomatics-tech.com/
