MacroCycle found a shortcut for plastic recycling — catch it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The global plastic recycling landscape is facing a dire situation, with only about 9% of plastic being recycled worldwide. While this figure may seem dismal, the textile recycling rate is even more concerning, sitting at a mere 0.5%. One major hurdle in textile recycling is the variety of materials involved. Complications arise from elements like buttons, zippers, and particularly spandex, leading to a complex recycling process. Stuart Peña Feliz, the co-founder and CEO of MacroCycle, shared insights with TechCrunch, highlighting the unpredictable nature of waste recycling. "Your waste has an infinite number of contaminants," he stated, underscoring the challenges in the industry. MacroCycle has developed a groundbreaking method that aims to make recycled plastic as affordable as new materials. The startup has created a technique to extract valuable synthetic fibers from waste textiles, leaving the less desirable components behind. As a Top 20 finalist in the Startup Battlefield, MacroCycle is set to present its innovative solutions at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. Peña Feliz, who previously managed ExxonMobil's chemical recycling plant, is acutely aware of the drawbacks of traditional plastic recycling methods. He noted that while existing processes effectively break down plastic into simpler hydrocarbons, they are energy-intensive and emit significant carbon dioxide. After leaving ExxonMobil, Peña Feliz pursued an MBA at MIT, where he encountered Jan-Georg Rosenboom, a postdoctoral researcher who had developed a novel recycling technology. "When I saw his technology, I thought it was too good to be true," Peña Feliz remarked. This collaboration led to the establishment of MacroCycle in the fall of 2022, and shortly after, they were awarded a Breakthrough Energy Fellowship to further their developments. Earlier this year, MacroCycle successfully raised $6.5 million in seed funding. Understanding the chemistry behind plastic is crucial to grasping their innovative approach. Plastics are polymers made up of long chains of monomers. Most recycling processes break down these polymers, but MacroCycle takes a different route. Their method involves looping the polymer chains into rings, known as macrocycles, which remain intact as solvents wash away the contaminants. This allows for a more energy-efficient recycling process. Peña Feliz claims that MacroCycle's technique utilizes 80% less energy than what is required to produce virgin polyester, in contrast to other methods that only reduce energy usage by 20% to 30%. The startup is currently working on a larger reactor, which is 2,000 times more substantial than their previous model, capable of producing 100-kilogram batches for potential customers. MacroCycle is already generating revenue from fashion brands interested in their technology. Peña Feliz confidently stated, "We’re one of the few, if not the only, public chemical recyclers that can offer this material at price parity once we establish our first industrial facility." He believes that the future of recycled plastics lies in creating economically attractive solutions that compel industry giants like ExxonMobil to adopt new practices. "The bottom line drives a lot of innovation," he explained. "If you want to see significant changes from large corporations, it won’t come from within. My goal is to develop technology so appealing that it becomes a missed opportunity for them not to make the switch.” For those interested in learning more about MacroCycle and witnessing other innovative pitches, valuable workshops, and networking opportunities, TechCrunch Disrupt will take place from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco.