Driscoll’s, Think Beyond Plastic Foundation announce Ag Plastics Innovation Challenge winners
Driscoll’s and industry partners have announced the winners of the Agricultural Plastics Innovation Challenge: Carbon Upcycling Technologies and Enerra Corporation.
Carbon Upcycling Technologies and Enerra Corporation were selected as this year’s winners for their innovation, business viability, focus on sustainability, scalability of their solution and the strength of their ecosystem, according to a news release.
The selection process included more than 200 innovations from four continents with a wide range of solutions, new materials, design improvements and end-of-life innovations. Fourteen candidates were selected as finalists, and each was evaluated by a jury comprised of industry professionals, scientists, innovators and investors, the release said.
The use of plastic films in berry production has proven to have significant benefits, including weed suppression, increased yield and many others, but it continues to be one of the most difficult materials to recycle, which is why the development of alternative materials to plastic film is so important for the berry industry.
“We were really impressed with the sheer number of applicants. We’ve known that agricultural plastics pose challenges that we cannot solve alone, so we’re inspired to not only see industry collaboration, but to see people trying to tackle this challenge around the world,” James duBois, senior environmental manager for Driscoll’s, said in the release.
Carbon Upcycling was recognized for its bio-compostable films and patented carbon capture and conversion technology. The technology allows for the efficient capture and conversion of carbon dioxide into high-performance materials that can be used as alternatives to plastic films used in agricultural production.
“Our philosophy since day one was to return the CO2 back to nature and leaving the earth in a better place than we found it,” Peter Zhou, polymer engineering lead for Carbon Upcycling, said in the release. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Driscoll’s to not only show a low carbon, bio-compostable solution, but one that enriches soil health and fuels plant growth at the end of life. We are eager to show that green can be better in the deployment at the research farm later this summer.”
Enerra Corporation was recognized for its technology that addresses the industry need for new recycling processes, according to the release. Enerra Corporation operates a patented plastic reformation technology that converts difficult-to-recycle ag plastic into market-ready transportation fuels, the release said, accomplished without toxic catalysts or harmful emissions.
“We're excited to work with Driscoll's on this project and provide a solution that will eliminate the issue of agricultural waste plastic," Sergio Perez, president of Enerra Corporation, said in the release. “This is one step towards achieving our vision of a cleaner, infinitely livable world.”
“Enerra Corporation is tackling a current challenge by finding a creative outlet for the recycling of agricultural plastics that would otherwise be destined for landfills,” Thomas Taggart, vice president of operations for California Giant Berry Farms, said in the release. “They are providing an attractive alternative to costly fossil fuels.”
Carbon Upcycling and Enerra Corporation will be invited to attend the Think Beyond annual investor forum, the catalyst program at the Global Entrepreneurship Center, and will receive access to Think Beyond’s global ecosystem of investors and industry partners, according to the release. Both companies will move into a field production pilot with Driscoll’s and will continue to explore pilot opportunities with other industry partners.
“We’re looking forward to working with Carbon Upcycling and Enerra Corporation. We have high hopes for their innovations in our enterprise and for the industry at large,” duBois said in the release.
