THE PROBLEM: Less than 10% of plastics are recycled in the United States, partly because most plastics are prohibitively difficult and costly to separate, clean, and reprocess. Investment in bringing new recycling technologies to market will allow plastic waste to be converted cost-effectively into valuable resources.

THE SOLUTION: Established in 2021 under the leadership of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), the BOTTLE consortium (Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment) develops chemical upcycling strategies and redesigns plastics to be recyclable, leading to reduced energy use, simplified processing, and lower production costs.

THE TECH TRANSFER MECHANISM: With funding from the Department of Energy and industry partners, BOTTLE members have developed a portfolio of innovative chemical recycling technologies that have been transferred to the private sector for commercialization. BOTTLE also established three startup companies to commercialize its technologies.

THE TECH TRANSFER EXCELLENCE: BOTTLE’s commercial engagements have created a highly productive pipeline of promising chemical recycling technologies for the private sector. BOTTLE members have filed over 80 patent applications, established 14 CRADAs with industry, signed eight commercial patent license agreements, and launched three startup companies.

THE IMPACT: BOTTLE’s research is broadly influential and widely recognized, with over 10,000 citations across its published work. BOTTLE members have filed over 80 patent applications, which is important for accelerating innovations with the potential to reduce production costs and improve economic competitiveness. BOTTLE’s innovations and funding have also created new private sector jobs in its three startups.