Innovation
Introducing Epoch Biodesign: A new era in sustainable manufacturing
- Innovation
- Testimonial
- 3 minutes read
UK-based startup Epoch operates at the intersection of biology and manufacturing, using enzymes to break plastics down into building blocks that can be infinitely re-used and reintroduced into the supply chain.
- Epoch Biodesign creates enzymes that deconstructs plastic at a molecular level. The process creates a powder that can be reintroduced into the plastic supply chain to create a variety of circular goods, rather than plastic being incinerated or ending up in landfills.
- The Epoch team have raised venture debt in order to develop their first-of-a-kind (FOAK) demonstration facility which can recycle hundreds of tons of plastic each year. We also provide treasury, deposit and lending solutions as well as FX options.
- Being agile enough to keep up and provide guidance, without processes and procedures like onboarding getting in the way, has enabled Epoch Biodesign to pursue their extraordinary vision.
Epoch Biodesign is a start-up taking on one of the world’s biggest challenges – most plastics are made from oil and are eventually destined for landfills or incineration. Epoch has unlocked a sustainable, circular manufacturing pathway that also reduces waste. They specialise in designing enzymes that break down plastic into its building blocks in a powdered form that can be used to create new products, from clothing to car parts.
Here’s a bit more about this extraordinary business.
Fantastic plastic: Reshaping the sustainable supply chain at a molecular level
Plastic is a versatile and useful material that’s used in almost every industry, but it has a problem – it is incredibly difficult to break down, taking anything from 20 to 500 years to decompose1. Even then, it doesn’t disappear completely; instead, it’s broken down into dangerous microplastics.
Given that some 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been created2 throughout history, and that it never truly disappears, there was a need to take a radically different approach to the problem.
That’s where Epoch Biodesign steps in. Their core business is to design enzymes that deconstruct plastics at a molecular level – a far more sustainable approach than sending plastic to landfill or incineration centres. Instead, these enzymes create a fine powder that is sold to partners across the plastic supply chain for use across a variety of different applications, from clothing to moulds.
That means plastic can be recycled on a larger scale, and for the first time for many materials.
Funding FOAK invention: Capital that turned ideas into industrialised innovation
Building a business like this – one that blends complex biology, chemistry and industrial capacity – requires a mix of capital. For Epoch Biodesign, venture debt was a core part of their capital mix.
“To scale our infrastructure and Capex, we wanted to find a partner willing to work with us over the long term, and we found that within innovation banking”, says Jacob Nathan, Founder and CEO, Epoch Biodesign.
Jacob Nathan, Founder and CEO, Epoch Biodesign"Debt is a critical tool to fund large-scale hardware. It’s allowed us to build our first-of-a-kind demonstration facility, which proves our capacity to process hundreds of tons of material a year. Solving that debt piece is really the key to getting real manufacturing capacity in place."
However, like any true partnership, we have been proud to offer the extraordinary team more than just lending. Treasury solutions, fixed-term deposits and FX options have all helped them to accelerate towards their goal of “scaling Epoch’s production capacity to underpin the world’s circular manufacturing infrastructure.”
Jacob Nathan, Founder and CEO, Epoch Biodesign"The innovation banking team have been fantastic when it comes to connectivity with investors, helping us with treasury solutions, fixed-term deposits as well as FX options."
Sustainability at speed: Setting the team up to succeed
“The HSBC Innovation Banking team matched our pace with a streamlined onboarding process and clear, quick communication. We couldn’t give a more positive review.” We are proud to play a hands-on role in helping Epoch Biodesign to pursue their extraordinary mission.
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