From: mk_thisisit
Despite the existence of innovative and effective recycling methods, their widespread adoption and commercialization face significant hurdles. Adam Hańderek, an innovator with patented technologies, discusses these challenges, particularly in the context of converting plastic waste into fuel and recycling textiles.
High Entry Costs for Market Commercialization
One of the primary obstacles to commercializing advanced recycling solutions, such as converting plastic waste into high-quality fuel, is the substantial financial investment required [00:07:45]. Although the technology exists to produce fuel from plastic waste that can be directly used in engines without further refining, unlike products from more primitive pyrolysis technology [00:07:10], it has not yet reached all gas stations [00:07:39].
Adam Hańderek’s company, despite significant interest from various countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, and letters of intent for dozens of installations, needed to build its first commercial industrial plant [00:08:00].
A dramatic geopolitical change in Europe and the world, including the COVID-19 pandemic, severely impacted efforts to secure funding and proceed with commercialization [00:08:42]. Subsidies of millions of PLN from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development could not be utilized due to a dramatic increase in material costs and engineering services, pushing the budget from 48-50 million PLN to almost 75 million PLN [00:09:01].
The Gap Between Invention, Patent, and Commercialization
The journey from a patented invention to full commercialization can be exceptionally long. Adam Hańderek cites the example of Professor Stanisław Jabłoński’s ecob company, which processes bioethanol into a gasoline fraction [00:11:15]. It took 17 years from the invention and patenting of this technology to its commercialization [00:11:39]. While Ecobenz fuel can now be refueled, it lacked willing buyers in Poland and was eventually purchased 100% by an American investment fund [00:11:54]. This highlights the challenge for Polish companies that, despite having ready-for-commercialization solutions, often end up not being supported domestically [00:14:14]. This process underscores the complexities of the patent and commercialization process of coffee recycling technology.
“I don’t want to wait 17 years to refuel this fuel in my car” [00:11:49]
Lack of Processing Capacity and Funding for Implementation
A key reason for the lack of widespread commercialization of advanced recycling technologies is the absence of adequate processing capacity [00:41:15]. Funding for research and development (R&D) work is often financed by shareholders, but the larger-scale implementation requires substantial capital that is difficult to secure [00:41:35]. While interest from the European Union fund offers hope for building a plant in Poland [00:10:47], securing such investment remains a significant hurdle.
The Role of Imagination vs. Structured Knowledge in Innovation
Adam Hańderek, who is not a “titular scientist” but studied veterinary medicine [00:32:58], attributes his ability to innovate to imagination, citing his chemistry teacher’s repetition of Einstein’s words: “imagination is everything; if you lack imagination, you do not need knowledge because you cannot do anything with it” [00:36:31]. He suggests that deep scientific knowledge can sometimes limit imagination by adherence to learned schemes [00:37:32]. However, this non-traditional approach can lead to friction with academics and institutions [00:37:17], further complicating commercialization challenges and collaborations.
Entrepreneurial Skill and Partnership
The discussion hints that while a scientist or inventor may excel at developing technologies, the ability to effectively sell and implement these technologies as an entrepreneur is a distinct challenge [00:42:32]. The need for honest business partners is emphasized to help implement technologies that could otherwise recycle tons of materials daily [00:42:45]. The massive amount of materials, such as 9,000 tons of coffee grounds produced daily in the European Union, represents just the “tip of the iceberg” of potential recycling [00:43:06]. This highlights the economic potential and business challenges in recycling startups.