Recycllux is leading the charge in tackling one of the most pressing ecological issues in the Black Sea: marine plastic pollution. Born from the founders' deep connection with the seaside, Recycllux is a company based in the Black Sea that fights against plastic pollution through cutting-edge technology. To address this challenge the team developed a machine learning algorithm to detect marine plastic litter and a comprehensive, tech-driven approach that combines artificial intelligence, blockchain, and local stakeholder engagement, creating a powerful solution to restore the Black Sea's natural beauty and health.
The Recycllux solution
Recycllux employs a technology-driven approach to address marine plastic pollution, using machine learning algorithms to analyse data from the European Space Agency's Copernicus program to detect plastic waste in the sea. Once a hotspot is identified, local fishermen, acting as waste collectors, are contracted through Recycllux’s platform to remove and sort the waste, minimising contamination.
Onshore, the plastic is further sorted, adhering to environmental regulations such as the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive. Partnerships with local environmental NGOs, like Mare Nostrum in Romania, ensure that all processes comply with national environmental laws and that civil society is part of the solution. Companies employing the solution developed by Recycllux fund these interventions through sustainability programs or Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, making a direct environmental impact while enhancing brand visibility towards more than ever eco-conscious consumers.
Plastic collected from marine environments, especially saltwater bodies, presents unique recycling challenges due to high contamination levels. To address this, Recycllux has developed a multi-tiered recycling approach:
Conventional recycling for recyclable plastics.
Thermal recycling in waste-to-energy plants.
Co-processing where non-recyclable plastics are used in energy-intensive industries.
Repurposing where non-recyclable plastics are turned into new products.
Leveraging blockchain for transparency
A key feature of Recycllux is its use of blockchain technology, ensuring full transparency in waste collection and recycling. By creating an immutable record of every step, from collection to material transformation, it assures process integrity and supports regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility.
Recycllux’s journey is marked by significant milestones and growing recognition. Backed by EIT Climate KIC, the company has rigorously tested its prototype with real data, demonstrating its potential. The European Commission’s Horizon Results Platform has highlighted Recycllux’s innovative solutions.
The startup ecosystem has also celebrated Recycllux's innovative approach. The company was named a Regional Finalist for Best GreenTech 2023 at the Central European Startup Awards and selected for the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance program. Additionally, in September 2024, Recycllux received the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda’s Project Award for Healthy Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, further validating the impact of its work.
Looking ahead, Recycllux is set to launch a full-scale pilot in the Black Sea to validate its technology, assess feasibility, and refine its approach for scalability. This pilot will provide crucial data to optimise the machine learning model and improve detection accuracy while showcasing the company's ability to execute real-world interventions and attract future investments.
A sustainable solution for the Black Sea and beyond: engaging local actors and expanding partnership opportunities.
Recycllux’s success stems from its ability to merge cutting-edge technology with local stakeholder engagement. The company has partnered with local NGOs and involved fishermen along the Romanian Black Sea coast, with several fishing associations showing strong interest and committing to waste collection efforts. Its scalable solution accelerates the collection and recycling of marine plastic, preserving ecosystems and reducing CO2 emissions by preventing the release of stored carbon.
Recycllux is also actively expanding its partnerships across the region through the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea, laying the foundation for broader regional growth. It participated in the CMA annual stakeholder conference in Chisinau, Moldova, in September 2024, bringing its expertise to discussions around the challenges and opportunities on the Black Sea’s path to zero pollution.
With a vision that extends beyond the Black Sea, Recycllux is setting a benchmark for how technology and local partnerships can create measurable environmental and economic impact. Each intervention showcases the power of innovation to drive meaningful change for marine ecosystems and the planet, as Recycllux plans to replicate its model in other regions to advance the fight against marine plastic pollution.