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Location
London, UK
Investment Stage
Series A
Technology (Characteristics)
Biotechnology
Website
The DESCycle team at their Teeside plant

DEScycle is a deep-tech company harnessing the power of green chemistry to build a Circular Metals Economy that enables the recovery of critical materials with minimal environmental impact. Its proprietary eco-friendly Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) process replaces the toxic and energy-intensive methods traditionally used in metal extraction, enabling the company to safely recover and recycle valuable metals from e-waste.

​DES are non-toxic, non-water-based salts which allow for low-temperature, low-energy operations, resulting in low-carbon, low-impact metals. They provide a clean, cost-efficient solution to current high-energy and capital-intensive recycling methods.

DEScycle's goal is to end the reliance upon high-energy pollutive smelters, toxic chemicals and strong acids in the metals industry.

Their markets include:

E-waste recycling

E-waste is the world's fastest growing waste stream, which will grow to US$100bn annually by 2030. Many critical and precious metals are contained within e-waste, making e-waste valuable but environmentally hazardous to recycle. DEScycle's smelter-replacement technology is a disruptive and clean alternative to current high-impact and capital-intensive recycling methods.

Minerals processing

DEScycle is working with multiple metals and mining partners to solve inherent industry problems to supply critical and battery metals that will underpin the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Opportunities:

Nickel & Cobalt – battery metals

Gold – replacing cyanide & toxic solvents

Copper & Base Metals – water-free processing

Rare Earth Elements – simplify complex processing

Key Highlights & Milestones:

  • TRL-7 demonstration plant in Wilton (commissioning 2026)
  • >99% recovery for gold and copper demonstrated
  • Commercial traction with domestic and global partners including Cisco and Mitsubishi
  • UK joint venture with e-waste recycler GAP Group for ‘First-of-A-Kind’ commercial e-waste recycling plant in Gateshead, UK
  • £16m of equity raised
  • £10m of grant funding, including €5m EU Horizon grant, €2.5m EIC Accelerator €1.5m SPRIND and Innovate UK funding (pending)
  • Strong IP position with granted UK patent and international patents (pending)