Chrysalis 40

Earthwake is developing Chrysalis 40, which is a machine that turns waste plastics into fuel in order to combat plastic pollution.

The technology is being developed by the non-profit organization to assist developing countries in increasing their profits through plastic recycling. Various plastic waste, like bottle caps made from PET and PP, are accepted as feedstock to reduce waste in the oceans. In addition, its machine doesn't use electricity and employs a pyrolysis process to transform plastic waste into fuel, which can be utilized by the energy industry.

How does it work? The team sources its waste from associations and waste collectors. Aside from pyrolysis, the machine also uses a distillation process to melt and cool the waste.

Finally, the waste is processed into fuel that is ideal for powering boats, generators, and tractors. Chrysalis 40 is still in the prototype stage.Earthwake is a member of the Solar Impulse Foundation and is seeking partnerships in an effort to further develop its machine.In 2020, the organization received the Audience Award at the EDF Pulse Start-up Awards. Chrysalis 40 was also one of the 1,000 Solar Impulse solutions in 2021.