DOPS Recycling Technologies Gains €5 Million to Advance Waste Processing
Netherlands, Monday, 19 May 2025.
DOPS Recycling Technologies secures €5 million to enhance its DCI technology, aiming to transform waste into biobrandfuels and contribute to reducing environmental impact.
Revolutionary DCI Technology
DOPS Recycling Technologies’ innovative Direct Carbon Immobilization (DCI™) technology promises to transform waste management by converting over 90% of waste materials that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled into valuable raw materials [1]. The technology operates by heating complex waste streams to 1,000 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-free reactor, breaking down hydrocarbons into their base elements - carbon monoxide and hydrogen - without significant CO₂ emissions [1]. This development comes at a crucial time, as waste currently accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions [5].
Environmental Impact and Market Potential
The Netherlands currently incinerates approximately eight million tons of waste annually [1]. DOPS’s technology addresses this environmental challenge by converting waste streams into biofuels, which are crucial for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries and the transport sector [1]. The technology’s efficiency is particularly noteworthy, as methane from decomposing organic matter in traditional landfills produces approximately 17.4% of total methane emissions [5]. The system’s use of fireproof materials and efficient heat recovery makes it economically viable even at low volumes [1].
Investment Details and Future Plans
The €5 million seed investment was secured through a collaborative effort involving several prominent investors, including Energietransitiefonds Rotterdam of Innovation Quarter, ROM InWest, Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland, Init Power, CarbonFix, and Alphatron [1]. The funding will enable DOPS to construct a modular unit (M-DCI) for comprehensive system testing, paving the way for the first commercial facility [1]. According to Michiel Spits, CEO of DOPS Recycling Technologies, this technology ensures that waste becomes the starting point for new, valuable raw materials rather than an endpoint [1].
Strategic Timing and Market Context
This investment comes amid increasing regulatory pressure for sustainable waste management solutions. The European Union has mandated a reduction of biodegradable waste to 10% by 2035 [5], while more than 100 countries have committed to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030 [5]. These regulatory changes create a favorable market environment for DOPS’s technology, which aligns with both environmental goals and economic sustainability requirements [1].