Epoch Biodesign, a company founded by Jacob Nathan, has found a way to break down plastics using enzymes. Instead of relying on petroleum, they use textile waste as their raw material. By breaking down pre- and post-consumer plastic waste into monomers, the company aims to create more consistency in the production process.
Nathan’s approach uses a cascade of enzyme treatments to recover over 90% of the desired monomers. This process is first being applied to nylon 6,6, a high-strength synthetic material used in various applications. The technology has resonated with investors, including Lululemon, which recently participated in a $12 million funding round.
The raise will help fund a demonstration-scale facility and eventually a commercial scale facility capable of producing 20,000 metric tons per year of monomer. Once fully operational, the company plans to expand its recycling capabilities to other types of plastics. Nathan believes his technology can create more consistency by detaching production from fossil carbon extraction.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/lululemon-bets-epoch-biodesign-can-eat-its-shorts-literally