Shell selects Aduro for cleantech accelerator program

Aduro Clean Technologies Inc., a Canadian developer of patented water-based technologies to chemically recycle plastics and transform heavy crude and renewable oils into new-era resources and higher-value fuels, announces successful selection and acceptance into the Shell GameChanger program.

Shell GameChanger is an accelerator program designed to partner with businesses to deliver innovative solutions that have the potential to drastically impact the future of energy and the transition to net-zero emissions. Following a rigorous selection process, Aduro has been selected by the Shell GameChanger program to apply its novel Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT) to produce sustainable Naphtha Cracker feedstock from polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, individually or on a mixed basis.

The HCT deconstructs hard-to-recycle chain growth polymers at temperatures lower than those used in current technologies. While legacy technologies produce complex product mixtures that require excess investment of resources, the HCT is expected to create higher-value, saturated products, in high yield and purity using lower energy and has the ability to process higher contaminated feedstock which are currently rejected. The HCT final output may be then directly used for the production of new plastics, demonstrating full circularity.

To support the project, Shell will contribute non-dilutive funding with the contribution payments being spread over six project phases, each phase and associated payment being contingent on meeting the objectives set for the previous phase. In addition, Shell will provide technical expertise to help Aduro develop reliable process designs and optimize the HCT technology for commercial implementation. Shell GameChanger will also mentor Aduro in developing their commercial strategy and market position.

“The Shell GameChanger Program provides the ideal platform for new businesses to advance early-stage ideas that have the potential to impact the future of energy,” said Ed Holgate, commercial partner manager, Shell GameChanger. “Collaboration between start-ups and experts within Shell is one way to advance the research, development, and commercialisation of new technologies that will enable the transition to a low-carbon future, and we look forward to working with the team to progress their plastics recycling technology.”

Aduro’s project with Shell GameChanger will commence immediately and is a 12 month, six phase project, starting from small-scale batch reactors, moving through a continuous flow reactor, and into design basis of commercial style facilities. The project is devised to support the rapid movement of the process to commercialization while reducing the developmental risk for the technology.

“We are thrilled that our Hydrochemolytic Technology was selected by the Shell GameChanger team. The Aduro team is working diligently to bring this disruptive technology to market and to contribute to plastic circularity in support of the energy transition. The network access, market intelligence, and technical expertise by a global chemical manufacturing market leader and innovator like Shell will play a critical role in advancing our goals. We are very pleased to start the project and are truly appreciative of the professionalism, support, and vote of confidence from the Shell GameChanger experts”, commented Ofer Vicus, chief executive officer of Aduro.