Econic Technologies

Econic Technologies is a deep-tech company that has developed a catalyst technology to convert captured carbon dioxide into valuable polymers. The company was founded in 2011 by Professor Charlotte Williams, based on her research at Imperial College London, to commercialize a breakthrough catalyst that enables the incorporation of waste CO2 into polymers. Williams, now a Professor at the University of Oxford and the company's Chief Scientific Officer, invented the core technology alongside Dr. Michael Kember, who is a co-founder and Head of Research & IP. The company is led by CEO Keith Wiggins.

Econic's business model is centered on licensing its patented catalyst process to manufacturers of polyols and surfactants. This allows producers to substitute up to 50% of traditional, volatile, oil-based feedstocks with captured CO2, a significantly cheaper raw material. The technology is designed to be retrofitted into existing manufacturing assets with minimal modifications, operating at low pressures and temperatures, which keeps entry costs low. By turning a waste greenhouse gas into a valuable resource, the process not only offers significant economic benefits but also improves the environmental footprint of the end products. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies have indicated a carbon footprint reduction of up to 30-40%.

The company's primary target market is the polyurethane industry, where its technology is used to create polyols for products like mattresses, furniture, insulation foams, automotive components, coatings, and adhesives. The technology also has applications for producing surfactants used in cleaning products. Econic's process allows for the creation of higher-performing end products with enhanced durability and stability. The company has secured multiple licensing deals with major international chemical producers, including Changhua Chemical in China, Manali Petrochemicals in India, and Monument Chemical in the US, with industrial-scale production expected to come online.

Keywords: carbon capture utilization, catalyst technology, CO2 conversion, polyols, polyurethanes, polymer chemistry, surfactants, renewable carbon, petrochemical alternatives, sustainable materials, deep-tech, chemical licensing, circular economy, industrial decarbonization, green chemistry, feedstock replacement, carbon-to-value, climate tech, advanced materials, process intensification