Earthwake

Earthwake operates as a specialized technology provider focused on converting plastic waste into a valuable energy resource. The company was conceived from the real-world observations of actor Samuel Le Bihan and former Action Against Hunger director François Danel, who, during humanitarian missions, witnessed the scale of plastic pollution. They founded the Earthwake association in 2014 and later established Earthwake Entreprise in 2020 to industrialize their solution. The venture's core technology, Chrysalis, was developed in collaboration with inventor Christofer Costes.

The company's primary offering is the Chrysalis unit, a patented, mobile, and modular pyrolysis machine. This system uses a thermal decomposition process at high temperatures (350°C - 900°C) without oxygen to break down non-recyclable plastics—specifically polyethylene and polypropylene—into their original state. The output is a low-carbon pyrolytic oil that can be used directly in generators or as a blend in combustion engines. A key feature of the Chrysalis system is its energy self-sufficiency; it recovers and uses the gas produced during pyrolysis to power its own reactor for subsequent cycles. The entire unit is integrated into standardized shipping containers, facilitating transport and installation directly at waste collection sites, which is central to the business model of creating localized, circular economies.

Earthwake targets clients such as local authorities, NGOs, and private businesses, offering an alternative to landfilling and incineration for hard-to-recycle plastics. The business generates revenue through the direct sale of its Chrysalis technology. For instance, the Chrysalis 40 model can process 40 kg of plastic to produce approximately 40 liters of fuel per cycle. Larger versions, like the V300, are designed to process 300 kilograms of plastic waste daily. The system is designed for remote monitoring and includes predictive maintenance capabilities. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders like CMA CGM and Perenco, Earthwake aims to deploy its technology globally, particularly in developing countries and island regions facing both plastic pollution and energy deficits.

Keywords: plastic pyrolysis, waste-to-energy, chemical recycling, pyrolytic oil, polyethylene recycling, polypropylene recycling, modular pyrolysis unit, circular economy, decentralized waste treatment, plastic pollution solution, Christofer Costes, Samuel Le Bihan, François Danel, Chrysalis technology, sustainable fuel, cleantech, environmental technology, waste valorization, mobile recycling, energy self-sufficient