Plastic Recycling Startup Builds on UToledo-Developed Technology

Plastic Recycling Startup Builds on UToledo-Developed Technology

A plastic-recycling business based on technology developed in a campus lab is scaling up.

Since The University of Toledo's Dr. Sridhar Viamajala co-developed a novel technology to recycle polypropylene in 2021, he's been advancing its commercial potential with the support of the UToledo Business Incubator.

Now Viamajala's startup company Plastinuva - formerly Avani Enterprizes - also is receiving support from Akron's Bounce Innovation Hub. Plastinuva is one of a dozen polymer and materials science startups selected to participate in the hub's inaugural Synthe6 Materials Accelerator.

"Both the incubator and now the accelerator have been really helpful," said Viamajala, a professor with academic interests in bioprocessing for bioproducts and biofuel production at the UToledo College of Engineering. "I started this business as a tech guy, and I didn't know anything about business development. The incubator and the accelerator have been great resources as I learn to navigate that side of things."

Polypropylene is a form of plastic that's utilized extensively, particularly in the food and healthcare industries. But the vast majority of polypropylene - more than 99% - winds up in landfills, reflecting what has long been an intractable recycling problem for the type of plastic noted with the standard recycling code No. 5.

Plastinuva breaks ground in introducing a new recycling process for polypropylene, specifically a patent-pending method of separating it out of a mixed waste stream. The separated polypropylene is then processed into a like-new powder that is of interest to manufacturing end-users that specialize in producing new products using recycled plastics.

"Plastinuva bridges a gap in the middle of the supply chain," Viamajala said. "We buy waste plastic that would otherwise head to the landfill, then we sell to companies that are looking to create new products using recycled plastic."

Viamajala has been advancing the business steadily since 2021. In addition to ongoing support through the UToledo Business Incubator, he received additional funding and support through the National Science Foundation in 2023 and the Ohio Department of Development in 2024.

Last year he developed a supply partnership to receive waste plastic from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He also began renting an on-campus lab through the Business Incubator, allowing his company to refine its process while scaling up its production of polypropylene powder - a key consideration for the end users with little practical use for the single-pound batches on which the technology was developed.

"We began processing 10-pound batches in the fall, and now we're on track to begin processing 100-pound batches this spring," he said. "At that point, we'll be well positioned to sell to small vendors and to establish relationships with larger vendors that can begin to evaluate our powder for use in their products."

The Synthe6 Materials Accelerator has brought additional support to Plastinuva since September, including funding, weekly workshops and access to both assigned mentors and additional polymer industry experts who reflect Akron's status as the "Rubber Capital of the World."

The one-year accelerator program is supported by the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub, which reflects regional industry strengths similarly to the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub that counts UToledo as a lead educational partner.

"The Synthe6 Materials Accelerator is almost like an accelerated M.B.A.," Viamajala said. "Every week we cover a topic like how to protect intellectual property or how to write a grant proposal, while my mentors are leveraging their personal expertise to help me navigate the next steps for Plastinuva."

Meanwhile Viamajala continues to work closely with the UToledo Business Incubator, which supports local entrepreneurs with resources and development opportunities.

He landed the top prize in the incubator's annual pitch competition in 2024.

"We're extremely proud to see Plastinuva continue its upward momentum through the Synthe6 program," said Pamela Moore, director of the UToledo Business Incubator. "Sridhar's progress demonstrates the long-term economic impact that incubator-supported startups can have on our region. By providing the resources, mentorship and environment entrepreneurs need to thrive, we're not just helping build strong companies, we're cultivating the future of northwest Ohio's innovation economy."