Welcome to the inspiring world of Nexus Circular, where groundbreaking innovation and sustainability converge to reshape the plastics industry. In this edition of our series, “America’s Change Makers,” we shine a spotlight on Jeff, the visionary Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular. His unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world led him on a transformative journey to revolutionize the way used plastics are managed. Join us as we explore Jeff’s remarkable story, marked by perseverance, ingenuity, and a passion for creating a more sustainable future.

“I remember reading about a Swiss company that was taking plastic grocery bags and converting them back into a raw material that was then usable for a variety of purposes.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

From Idea to Reality: Pioneering the Concept

It all began with an intriguing idea sparked by an article Jeff stumbled upon over a decade and a half ago. The concept of converting plastic grocery bags back into reusable raw materials captivated his imagination, igniting a fire within him to explore the possibilities further.

“Being trained in the scientific method, you always start with research and test the hypothesis. I looked it up and did some research, reading a lot of papers going through patents, and thought, this is something that could actually happen.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

Driven by the scientific method, Jeff delved into extensive research, immersing himself in papers, patents, and studies. His quest for knowledge led him to a breakthrough realization: plastics could be broken down into their fundamental components, the very building blocks from which they originated. This discovery laid the foundation for his ambitious vision of commercial-scale plastic conversion and the dawn of a transformative era in plastic waste management.

“The hypothesis we wanted to prove was simply that plastics could be broken down back into their building block components. Plastics are made of hydrocarbons. Most people have heard of hydrocarbons. Gasoline is a hydrocarbon, diesel is a hydrocarbon, things like that.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

Navigating Uncharted Territory: The Birth of Nexus Circular

Transforming an idea into a tangible reality requires more than just vision—it demands relentless innovation and resourcefulness. Jeff’s journey was no exception. In a field of uncharted discovery, there were no ready-made solutions readily available. Undeterred, Jeff and his team embarked on a mission to merge the best features of existing technologies, forging a path toward a unified and efficient approach.

“We are very much in a field of discovery. There were no actual machines that you could go out and buy that would do this.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

Years of Innovation and Refined Processes

Over fifteen years, Nexus Circular underwent an impressive evolution, honing its technology and perfecting the art of converting hard-to-recycle plastics back into their raw materials. Through their pioneering “advanced recycling” process, they surpassed the limitations of mechanical recycling, expanding the scope of recyclable plastics and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

“We’ve made major advances, we’ve had major accomplishments and a lot of great successes. Accompanying that we’ve had a lot of learnings, and those sometimes are hard learnings. And quite frankly, with any technology like this, I think there’s an evolutionary process that continues for a very, very long time.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

The Pyrolysis Process: Turning Waste into Liquid Gold

At the heart of Nexus Circular’s groundbreaking approach lies the pyrolysis process—an engineering marvel that transforms waste plastics into a valuable resource. It all begins as used plastics enter a precisely controlled heated tube, where they undergo a remarkable metamorphosis, transitioning into a semi-molten state. This semi-molten substance is then carefully guided into reactors that facilitate the complete breakdown of plastics, resulting in the formation of small hydrocarbon chains—a raw material that can be harnessed, recovered, and reused.

However, the process doesn’t end there. Once the plastic has been converted within the reactors, it enters the cooling phase. Nexus’ innovative condensers play a pivotal role, skillfully condensing the hot vapor into a liquid form. This liquid gold, a collection of high-value molecules derived from plastic waste, finds its way into large storage tanks, awaiting its transformation into new products. From these storage tanks, the liquid gold embarks on a journey, flowing into customers’ tanker trucks, destined to breathe life into a multitude of industries.

“While the process itself may seem complex, with tubes, reactors, and condensers, at its core, it’s a transformative journey. We’ve broken down plastic into the molecular form. We have those molecules. I sometimes equate this to modern alchemy, where we’re taking a waste product and converting it into our liquid gold.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

Shaping a Sustainable Future

Jeff’s journey, intertwined with Nexus Circular’s groundbreaking innovations, represents a testament to the power of human ingenuity and unwavering dedication to creating sustainable change. Through their advanced recycling process, Nexus Circular has transcended the boundaries of traditional mechanical recycling, expanding the horizons of what can be achieved in plastic waste management.

But their story doesn’t end here. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for progress, Nexus Circular remains at the forefront of innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As Jeff envisions, future generations of Nexus Circular’s technology will continue to evolve, improving efficiency and expanding their impact on a global scale.

“The underlying goal in all of this is to have a positive impact on the environment. I just feel that we have been given the opportunity to actually make a difference.” – Jeff, Founder and CTO of Nexus Circular

As we conclude this chapter of “America’s Change Makers,” we celebrate the visionaries like Jeff, who are reshaping the plastics industry and fostering a more sustainable future. Nexus Circular’s pioneering efforts serve as an inspiration for us all, reminding us of the incredible transformations that can be achieved when passion, innovation, and a commitment to the planet converge.

Join us in our next installment as we continue to explore the remarkable journeys of Nexus’ leaders that are driving positive change in America and beyond. Together, we can build a future where sustainability and progress go hand in hand, creating a world where waste is transformed into opportunity and where the pursuit of a greener tomorrow is our shared responsibility.