Submission NameRise Reforming
University NameUniversity of Chicago
Submission DescriptionRise Reforming modularly transforms unrecyclable mixed plastic waste into cost competitive carbon negative dimethyl ether (cnDME) for the propane blending and aerosols markets and methanol (cnM) for the marine shipping markets.
For every kilogram of DME we make, our process avoids around 4.5 lifecycle kg of CO2eq – equivalent to the emissions from driving 12 miles in a Ford F-150. At full scale for DME, we will erase 11% of US annual plastic waste produced and remove the annual emissions of five million cars every year.
Rise Reforming will provide a turnkey carbon negative chemical solution: we will own and operate our modules, and sell chemicals B2B by the kilogram (at a 63% profit margin). We are also open to leasing our modules to companies who wish to operate them themselves.
UN Sustainable Development Goalslife on land, affordable and clean energy, climate action, clean water and sanitation, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, life below water