Innovation

Healix’s production process is based on transforming used fishing nets, ropes, lines, and other types of plastic waste into certified polymers that are used in many industries to produce recycled plastic products. The processing takes place at the start-up facilities, in Maastricht, Netherlands; where the plastic waste is sorted, cleaned, and transformed.

Every year, more than 640.000 tons of fishing gear are thrown into the ocean, it is necessary to classify the waste into categories in order to process it. Healix considers 6 different categories of source materials: maritime ropes, industrial big bags, baler twines, fishing nets, tulip nets, and commercial waste. Each type of material is transformed into different types of polymers. The entire process consists of 3 steps. The first one is the preparation, where the bulk material is loaded into a feeder-platform that feeds the hopper. In the hopper the bales are opened and pre-cleaned to remove any remains of organic waste like marine fouling, soil/sand, grass, and other non-plastic waste. The conveyor belt is then fed with the pre-cleaned materials and directed towards the chopper/cutting machine. This step is crucial as it ensures a continuous flow of homogeneous and loose material for the process and prevents any damage into the chopper machine caused by remaining waste. Additionally, it helps to reduce water contamination in the second step, which is the actual cleaning.

The cleaning process is aimed to remove and extract all contamination (organic and non-organic) that is attached to the plastic particles and entrapped within the fibrous plastic waste. After mechanically washing the product, structure and adherence is further destroyed, allowing the release of entrapped particles and the separation of the clean material from the contamination.

The third and final step is the extrusion machine. The cleaned and dried plastic is loaded into the extruder where it is heated and melted. Once the plastic is fully melted and mixed, it is forced through a specially designed tool called an extrusion die. The extrusion die shapes the molten plastic into the desired shape including tubes, pipes, rods, sheets, and profiles. Healix uses the pellet shape, ensuring optimal transportation and post-process for its customers. As the plastic exits the extrusion die, it encounters a cooling system, which rapidly cools and solidifies the material and finally is transported through an air duct to the bagging station where the big bags are filled, labelled, stacked on pallets, and transferred to a temporary storage location prior to shipment.

Healix’s innovative production process plays a vital role in advancing two key UN Sustainable Development Goals. Firstly, goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) is advanced by transforming plastic waste and diminishing the reliance on virgin plastics. It fosters sustainable consumption practices contributing significantly to environmental preservation. Secondly, goal 14 (Life Below Water), in which Healix’s initiatives takes a center stage, not only alleviating the detrimental impact of marine debris on marine ecosystems and wildlife but also promoting the conservation and sustainable utilization of marine resources, thereby safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem health in oceans and coastal areas.

Inspiration

Marcel Alberts, a 47 years old, graduate in management science, and Healix’s founder, has a strong entrepreneurial soul. He strongly believes that nothing can inspire a human more than personal, touching, transformative experiences. Innovation, leadership, passion and risk-taking are part of his daily activities. Despite the difficulties encountered in his entrepreneurial activities, challenge is what keeps him motivated and gives him the power to make the world a better place.

Witnessing the devastating impact of plastic waste on the environment and wildlife, Marcel could not remain indifferent to this situation. Specially touched by an image of a sea turtle ensnared in plastic waste, fighting for its life, Marcel became aware of the pressing need for a change and was determined to challenge the status quo.

Furthermore, the birth of his child served as a powerful catalyst, inspiring Marcel to leave behind a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Combining his knowledge, desires, and experiences, he envisioned Healix, a pioneer company in the circular economy of plastic fibre waste, as an unfolding environmental radical change. Drawing inspiration from a hackathon of sustainability challenges, Marcel seized the opportunity to turn waste into a valuable resource, leading a new era in the plastic industry.

Healix is not only impersonating Marcel’s courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to change, but also stands as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with an environmental crisis, inspiring others to join the fight for a cleaner, greener future. Through his innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, Marcel is not just shaping the future – he's redefining it.

Overall impact

The plastic industry is known for its huge environmental impact, including high CO2 emissions and widespread plastic pollution – contributing to approximately 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is about 3.4% of global emissions, and releasing over 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic into aquatic ecosystems each year. Healix is tackling these critical issues by developing sustainable solutions that support several Sustainable Development Goals, especially life below water (SDG 14) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

The company is actively fighting the issue of water body conservation, specifically addressing SDG 14, by recycling marine plastic waste such as discarded ropes and nets from the fishing and farming industries, which significantly contribute to marine pollution. Their partnership with The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation developing technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, exemplifies this effort. Healix recycles ghost gear collected from the oceans, turning it into valuable raw materials. This initiative not only helps reduce marine litter but also prevents these plastics from ending up in landfills, thus promoting a healthier marine ecosystem.

As previously said, this start-up has revolutionised the recycling industry by transforming post-consumer waste into high-quality circular plastic, marking a major cultural shift within the company. This focus on sustainability has not only changed how Healix operates but also instilled a deep sense of pride and purpose among its employees. Despite the technical challenges of recycling complex waste, the dedicated Healix team is driven by a shared vision of a more sustainable future.

Moreover, their positive environmental impact is significant. By preventing nearly 10,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year – while their facility is expected to process around 6,000 metric tons of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene annually, the company contributes to reducing greenhouse gases. Additionally, it plays a vital role in combating plastic pollution, addressing one of today’s most urgent environmental problems by creating sustainable loops that keep plastic in use and out of the environment.

Even though the company is still a small player in the industry, they have big dreams. They want to grow and shake up the industry by showing that recycled plastic can be just as good as new plastic. This is not just good news for Healix; it is a hopeful sign for the whole industry moving towards more sustainable practices. It makes you wonder: what other products and industries could use Healix's ground-breaking materials?

Business benefit

Healix has made significant progress in environmental sustainability and economic growth by innovatively recycling plastic waste. Its innovative approach not only supports environmental conservation but also promotes a sustainable circular economy within the plastic industry.

In September 2021, Healix successfully raised over €10 million in seed funding from a consortium led by Active Capital Company, supported by ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. This funding has been crucial for setting up a production facility that is expected to produce all the benefits that we have previously cited (6,000 metric tons of recycled plastic that could prevent 10,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions).

The company's journey has not been without challenges. The fluctuating prices of virgin plastics pose a significant market challenge, affecting the demand for circular plastics and investor confidence. Despite these obstacles, Healix's commitment to sustainability remains strong. The company actively incorporates stakeholder feedback to continuously refine its sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with market needs and regulatory requirements. This strategic agility enables the start-up to maintain its course towards sustainable innovation.

Healix's collaborations with major brands like Corona, for which they partnered to develop sustainable crate boxes, underscore the company's impact and influence in the industry. These collaborations not only boost Healix's market presence but also exemplify how businesses can integrate sustainability into their core operations. They also collaborate with companies like LC Packaging and Solmax to promote sustainability and a circular economy in their industries by providing a variety of recycling services aimed at transforming plastic waste into certified circular plastics using advanced purification technology.

More than benefiting the business and the society, Marcel’s leadership brings the company together and can motivate others to follow his path. Marcel advises other businesses to embrace change and innovation, as the journey towards sustainability is challenging but ultimately rewarding. As Marcel said:

“It’s been [freaking] hard, so many moments already that we were: oh my god , will we make it? But just don’t give up, keep on going.”

Social and environmental benefit

Healix is making a significant difference for both society and the environment with its innovative recycling initiatives. By repurposing plastic waste, the company helps protect marine ecosystems and reduce plastic pollution in our oceans. Transforming these materials into certified polymers not only safeguards marine life but also consumes less energy compared to producing new plastics, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment to sustainability is reflected in its transparent and responsible supply chain practices and addresses the urgent issue of plastic pollution—approximately 8 million tons enter the oceans annually—and contributes to environmental conservation and efficient resource use.

In the social aspect, the initiative significantly impacts the community by engaging the community and raising awareness of plastic pollution. Through collaborations with organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization that is also aimed to remove plastic waste from oceans, it educates the public and inspires collective action in clean-up efforts. These initiatives not only disseminate essential knowledge but also motivate people to tackle environmental challenges together.

Furthermore, the company promotes the local economy in Maastricht by creating jobs and offering recycling services. This fosters both economic and community development while addressing local and global environmental challenges.

By improving environmental conditions and reducing pollution, Healix enhances the community’s overall quality of life. Its innovative business model demonstrates how sustainability can lead to cleaner oceans, reduced emissions, empowered communities, and a better future. Healix plans to expand its operations and continue developing innovative applications for recycled plastic, aiming to grow its impact and support the global agenda for sustainable development.

Interview

Marcel Alberts, Founder