Birch Biosciences
Birch Biosciences, based in Portland, OR, is a pioneering industrial company focused on enhancing plastic recycling through advanced enzyme engineering and artificial intelligence.
Company Overview
Birch Biosciences is an industrial biotechnology company located at 4023 NE Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97212. With a team size of 8, the company operates in the climate sub-industry within the broader industrials sector. Birch Biosciences aims to enhance plastic recycling processes through the application of synthetic biology, machine learning, bioinformatics, and high-throughput screening techniques. The company participated in the Y-Combinator S22 batch and focuses on both local and remote regions, including America and Canada.
Innovative Plastic Recycling Technology
Birch Biosciences utilizes a proprietary platform that combines artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and high-throughput screening to engineer specialized enzymes. These enzymes act as molecular scissors, breaking down plastic polymers into fundamental chemical components. This innovative approach yields high-quality recycled plastic, equivalent in quality to virgin plastic, while being environmentally sustainable and cost-competitive. The company aims to address the inefficiencies in mechanical recycling processes to improve the circularity of plastic.
Sustainability and Circular Economy Goals
Birch Biosciences is dedicated to enabling a circular plastic economy by converting plastic waste back into usable products, such as turning bottles back into bottles. The company’s goal is to provide recycled plastic resins at costs comparable to or below those of mechanically recycled plastics. By doing so, Birch Biosciences aims to meet the sustainability targets set by global brands, which typically mandate the use of 30% or more recycled plastic by 2030. This effort addresses the current mismatch where only 6% of the demand for recycled plastic is met.
Climate Impact and Environmental Goals
Birch Biosciences is focused on developing an economical end-to-end plastic recycling process that reduces carbon emissions by up to 70%. The company’s enzymatic process is designed to be low-cost and high-yield, significantly cutting down carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental pollutants. This bio-enzymatic recycling method aims to revolutionize the existing plastic recycling paradigm, contributing to a more sustainable and circular environment.
Addressing Market Demand
The North American market for all plastic exceeds $120 billion annually, with a global market value of $580 billion. Birch Biosciences positions itself to capitalize on this vast market by providing recycled plastic solutions that can meet the rising demand prompted by brand commitments to sustainability. The company's efforts intend to change the recycling rate, currently at only 9%, by offering innovative solutions for 'unrecyclable' plastic products, bridging the gap between supply and demand for recycled plastics.