Shell selects Aduro for GameChanger program

Aduro Clean Technologies Inc., Sarnia, Ontario, has been accepted into the Shell GameChanger program.

According to Aduro, 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. Aduro says it was selected by the Shell program to apply its patented Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT), to produce sustainable naptha cracker feedstock from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), individually or on a mixed basis.

The company claims its HCT process deconstructs hard-to-recycle chain growth polymers at temperatures lower than those used in current technologies. It says it expects HCT to create higher-value, saturated products in high yield and purity using lower energy and can process higher contaminated feedstock, which it says are currently rejected.

Aduro says the HCT final output might then be directly used to produce new plastics, demonstrating full circularity.

“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,” Shell GameChanger Commercial Partner Manager Ed Holgate says. “Collaboration between startups and experts within Shell is one way to advance the research, development and commercialization 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.”

To support the HCT project, London-based Shell says it will contribute nondilutive funding, with the contribution payments being spread out over six project phases. Each phase and associated payment will be contingent on Aduro meeting 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 says it will also mentor Aduro in developing its commercial strategy and market position. The project is set to begin immediately and will last for 12 months over six phases, starting from small-scale batch reactors, moving through a continuous flow reactor and into a design basis for commercial facilities. The companies say 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,” Aduro CEO Ofer Vicus says. “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.”