1) What is the problem Re:Lab would like to solve?
We at Re:Lab, are conscious of the importance of single-use plastics in the modern research laboratory. Single-use plastics play a fundamental role in keeping high hygiene standards, protecting samples from cross-contamination, and protecting data integrity. Beyond, the introduction of consumable laboratory plasticware has changed the paradigm of how we do modern science – a massive parallel automated data-driven approach. Removal of plastics from the laboratory is out of the question. Reuse, use of the danger of sample contamination, is also not an option. Nevertheless, the problem of plastic pollution is real, and we all need to contribute to the solution. Today, on a global scale, the research community contributes above 5Mt of laboratory plastic waste to the global plastic pollution problem. There is no recycling. Laboratory plasticware is either incinerated or landfilled.
We have developed a proprietary low-temperature and normal pressure technology that permits us to use the chemical energy content of the plasticware, to convert plastics to their molecular constituents, essentially renewable carbons and hydrogen. This technology represents an economic viable, real-world circular solution to the plastics pollution problem and the decarbonization challenge for the life-science sector.
2) Why have you established yourselves in the Greater Copenhagen Region?
Whilst we have brought the technical proof of concept of our technology (TRL 6), we are pioneers globally, and to the best of our knowledge, what we are doing has not been attempted before. So, before we can offer our solution on a global scale, we need to have access to a vibrant lii-science research community, where we can demonstrate the whole potential of our solution: the conversion of research laboratory plastics to new research laboratory plastics in closed loop and/or the conversion of research laboratory plastics to renewable chemicals in open loop.
3) What kind of partners are you looking for in this region?
On the material supply side, we are looking for research institutions, industrial or academic, that can provide us with their waste research laboratory plasticware. Mixed, not clean. But void of biohazard or radioactive substances. The material they today are sent to incineration, which is not part of a circular solution.
On the product side, we are looking for a chemical and life-science industry that can process our high-quality primary product syngas – into renewable chemicals, including hydrogen, and new plastics with virgin quality to be re-utilized in the production of renewable laboratory plastics.