Reimagining Plastic: how ReLab transforms waste into a renewable resource

ReLab AB converts mixed post-consumer plastic waste into high-value raw materials. Through this circular strategy, it aims to provide a solution to the negative environmental aspect of plastic waste, while contributing to circularity and sustainability.
23/01/2026

The CircularInvest beneficiary ReLab AB is addressing one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges: plastic pollution. With a vision that sees plastics as carriers of renewable carbon, the project has developed a chemical recycling solution using an innovative Low Temperature Conversion (LTC) technology that converts plastic waste into renewable carbon feedstocks. By enabling molecular-level recycling, the technology supports the decarbonisation of the chemical industry while closing the loop on plastic materials.

A major barrier of plastic recycling lies in the complexity of plastic waste streams, which are often mixed, contaminated and unsuitable for mechanical recycling. This project tackles that challenge directly by breaking plastics down to their core elements: carbon and hydrogen. Thus, it allows mixed and low-quality plastic waste to be recycled into new renewable chemicals and, potentially, plastics.

Founder and CEO J. Flavio Ramalho Ortigao explained hwo support from CircularInvest has played an important role in advancing the project’s investment readiness. Through expert review of the business plan and guidance on shaping a compelling investment pitch, CircularInvest helped externally validate the business case and strengthen its positioning for future investors.

Looking ahead, the project aims to scale its impact by expanding into plastic pollution sectors that are difficult to abate, including healthcare plastics, flexible food packaging, ocean plastics and research plastics. By addressing these complex sectors, the project seeks to accelerate the transition toward a truly circular and sustainable plastics economy.

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