A London-based startup developing enzymatic recycling technology that breaks down nylon 6.6 waste into its original chemical building blocks to produce virgin-quality recycled nylon using programmable biology, AI, and synthetic biology.
Investment Rounds
Capital activity and funding progression
| Amount | Date | Round |
|---|---|---|
| $12 M | Mar, 2026 | unspecified |
Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Epoch Biodesign located?
Epoch Biodesign is located in London, United Kingdom.
What industries does Epoch Biodesign operate in?
Epoch Biodesign operates in the following industries: recycling, biotechnology, materials, climate tech, circular economy.
When was Epoch Biodesign founded?
Epoch Biodesign was founded on 2026-03-25.
How much total funding has Epoch Biodesign raised?
Epoch Biodesign has raised a total of $12,000,000.
Who are the investors in Epoch Biodesign?
The investors in Epoch Biodesign are: lululemon, KOMPAS VC, Happiness Capital, Extantia, Leitmotif.
What is the primary mission of Epoch Biodesign?
The primary mission of the company is to solve the global plastic waste crisis by scaling and industrializing biology. They aim to transform unrecyclable plastic and textile waste into high-value, circular chemicals, effectively decarbonizing the chemical industry.
How does Epoch Biodesign utilize artificial intelligence in its technology?
The company uses a proprietary computational platform and generative AI to design and optimize custom enzymes. This technology allows them to create molecular machines capable of breaking down complex plastics at a molecular level much faster than natural evolution would allow.
What specific materials does Epoch Biodesign focus on recycling?
While their technology is adaptable to various plastics, they are currently prioritizing the recycling of Nylon 6,6. This material is widely used in performance apparel, automotive parts, and industrial carpets but is traditionally difficult to recycle.
What are the environmental benefits of the process developed by Epoch Biodesign?
Their enzymatic process operates at room temperature and ambient pressure, which drastically reduces energy consumption compared to traditional chemical recycling. It can reduce the carbon footprint of materials like nylon by up to 80% and prevents waste from entering landfills or incinerators.
Who founded Epoch Biodesign and what inspired its creation?
The company was co-founded by Jacob Nathan and Professor Douglas Kell. The idea originated from a high school science project by Nathan, who sought to find biological ways to break down plastic waste, eventually leading to a partnership with Kell, a leader in systems biology.
How does the Epoch Biodesign approach differ from traditional mechanical recycling?
Unlike mechanical recycling, which often degrades material quality and leads to downcycling, this approach breaks polymers back down into their original monomers. This allows for infinite recycling into virgin-quality materials that are indistinguishable from those derived from fossil fuels.