Manuel Rendon

Manuel Rendon (born in San Cristobal, Venezuela, 1987) is an inventor and engineer who created the first U.S. patented formulation for the dynamic disintegration of plastics.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In December 10, 2020, Nestle announced its investment in the company behind this technology. [8][9][10][11][12]

The technology uses solvation and oxidation as a chemical process to mimic an enzymatic bacteria-based approach to decompose the polymer chain, which leads to the degradation of any fossil-based plastic with a melting point below 500 °C. The material obsolescence time is programmable [1] On plastic-waste regard, pollution is a Global concern given the fact that fossil-based plastic is a substance with a very high molecular weight,[13] this technology is another effort on solving the issue of the Plastic Pollution introducing an undercover liquid additive hidden in a chemical cloak synthesized via the same plastic targeted for degradation's polymer structure itself, which is partially dissolved to create a cover for a Nano-programmed chemical addition on the inside. When activated this additive first decomposes the current polymer links between monomers and subsequently supplant them for weaker links susceptible to degradation.[14][15][16]

It took Rendon five years and over 1200 experiments to complete his paper.[17] In January 2014, Rendon applied for a U.S. Patent, once it was approved, he resigned his position at PepsiCo and moved to Miami to launch TimePlast,[18] the company behind this technology. With the partnership of Riverdale Global and Maguire industries they address the problem of plastic pollution, as an alternative for bio-based and so-called biodegradable plastics. Paul Maguire, CEO of Riverdale Global, has presented this technology in the Refocus Sustainability and Recycling Summit, which took place June 27–29, 2017, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida.[19]

In December 10, 2020, David Tulauskas, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Nestlé Waters North America said; “As we make progress toward a zero-waste future, we’re enthusiastic to build on our work by exploring alternative technologies such as those presented by Timeplast."[20]

In September 12, 2017, Waiakea Inc., announced the launch of the first fully degraded RPET bottle for their premium naturally alkaline water brand; this bottle will have 2.21% of regular PET's lifespan, and a 65.18% reduction of regular PET's Carbon footprint. Ryan Emmons, founder and CEO of Waiakea has expressed an honest hope that the new endeavor will inspire global adoption of the disruptive technology, especially because of its commercial advantage: One pound of the additive can alter one thousand pounds of plastic. This translates into an extremely low-cost application the bottled beverage industry can easily absorb. Thus, this technology has the potential to change the entire CPG industry worldwide.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]