Engineering Deep Tech: Scaling Plastic Recycling Technology
James Finlayson, CTO & Co-Founder of Impact Recycling
Podcast Episode Description:
In this episode of the Lab to Market Leadership podcast, host Chris Reichhelm speaks with James Finlayson, CTO of Impact Recycling, to explore the lab-to-market journey of scaling BOSS - a breakthrough recycling technology in the Deep Tech sector. With BOSS securing over £70 million in contracts across the UK and Europe, this fluid dynamics-based technology addresses the challenge of ‘hard-to-recycle’ plastics by separating mixed rigid plastic waste with an impressive 98% purity for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This high-purity output has allowed Impact Recycling to meet critical industry needs for scalable, environmentally responsible recycling solutions.
James shares actionable insights into each stage of scaling BOSS from a lab prototype to a commercialised, market-ready technology. He discusses strategies for securing investment, adapting engineering solutions to real-world demands, cultivating an impactful organisational culture, and building a cross-functional team to support the technology’s growth and resilience. These experiences offer practical lessons for deep tech founders and engineering leaders on navigating the technical and market-driven decisions required to bring novel innovations to market.
Whether you’re a Deep Tech founder, engineering lead, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable guidance on aligning complex engineering solutions with market requirements and scaling innovative recycling technology in the Deep Tech ecosystem.
Key Topics from the Show:
Building and scaling BOSS: A plastic recycling solution using fluid dynamics
Aligning technical and commercial goals to create market-ready innovations
Adapting Deep Tech for industry requirements and real-world application
Lessons in resilience from Impact Recycling’s lab-to-market journey
Approaches to securing investment and commercialising Deep Tech innovations
Podcast Chapter Notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Lab-to-Market Leadership
01:14 - Meet the Guest: James Finlayson
03:56 - James' Background and Early Career
06:25 - The Birth of Impact Recycling
09:09 - Scaling Up and Early Challenges
14:31 - Building and Selling the First Units
17:35 - Facing Market Realities
20:47 - The Demonstration Facility and New Challenges
27:45 - Innovative Solutions and New Investments
32:33 - Navigating Uncertainty and Market Dynamics
33:51 - Challenges and Insights in Mechanical Recycling
36:20 - Innovations and Success Stories
38:42 - Building a Dynamic Team During COVID
42:07 - Scaling Up and Maintaining Culture
46:33 - Adapting to Market Changes
57:48 - Lessons in Simplicity and Robust Design
59:43 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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