We See Waste as an Opportunity
Born in Cambridge.
Built for Circularity.
Protonera began with a shared conviction on circular chemistry over five years ago at the University of Cambridge, where the founders’ research expertise converged on one urgent quest.
Creating value from waste.
Chemoenzymatic reforming (CR) was born by combining enzymology with reforming to extract hydrogen, chemicals and monomers from plastic waste.
Circularity Through Collaboration
We don’t work alone. We aim to work with circularity visionaries
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Recyclers
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Plastic Manufacturers
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Consumer Brands
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Cities and Local Authorities
Make your impact
from waste
Our CR technology brings circular chemistry to life. It’s flexible, modular, and built to handle real-world waste even when it’s mixed or contaminated.
Whether you’re in packaging, fashion, or industrial production, Protonera helps you turn what was once discarded into something valuable again.
Impact & Policy
Global Plastics-to-Chemicals Impact, Starting in Europe and the UK.
Protonera is designed for a global market of recyclers, manufacturers, cities and investors who want to turn waste plastics into high-value molecules while supporting local climate and circular economy goals.
Environmental and
System Impact.
Protonera converts mixed, contaminated plastic streams into hydrogen, monomers and organic acids. This supports partners that want to:
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Increase diversion of plastics from landfill and incineration.
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Close the loop across industries.
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Replace fossil-based inputs with waste-derived molecules.
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Meet and exceed EPR, ESG, and Net Zero goals to translate the impact to you.
Key Levers of
Impact
Quantified impact metrics
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Contaminant tolerance, enabling more real-world plastic waste sources to be processed rather than discarded.
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High-value outputs, hydrogen, monomers and organic acids that can displace more carbon-intensive or fossil alternatives.
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Modular mild-condition reactors, designed for scalable, distributed deployment near waste sources and existing industrial sites.
Meet the Team
Founded in Cambridge, Protonera is driven by people committed to transforming waste into a regenerative force for industry and the planet fanatics who believe in waste alchemy.
Dr. Jack Chengzhi Guo
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
Prof. Erwin Reisner
Co-founder and Chief Science Officer
Our Founders
Prof. Erwin Reisner
Chief Science Officer
A global leader in catalytic technologies, Erwin has directed his Cambridge lab for over 15 years. His research has pioneered advances in clean hydrogen production, waste valorization, and sustainable chemical systems.
Dr. Jack Chengzhi Guo
PhD (Cantab) | Co-founder & CEO
Jack leads Protonera while also heading research at the University of Cambridge, advancing circular solutions for plastics and textiles. His work bridges material science and sustainable chemistry to close the loop on industrial waste.
Where Circular Chemistry Works
Our CR platform is contamination-tolerant, modular, and adaptable to real-world conditions. It supports multiple industries including packaging, fashion, and chemical manufacturing in transforming synthetic waste into reusable feedstocks.
Our process enables true circular chemistry by closing the loop on materials across both consumer and industrial sectors. By replacing fossil-based inputs with waste-derived molecules, we create a cleaner, more resilient material flow. Every step of our approach supports compliance with global sustainability frameworks like EPR, ESG, and Net Zero helping industries move from linear consumption to regenerative production.
Outreach & Recognition
Our progress is inspiring a new generation of change-makers. Protonera has been featured by leading innovation and research platforms, highlighting our work in circular chemistry and clean hydrogen generation.
Featured Stories :
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Cambridge Hones Founder Support With Launch Of Science-Led Accelerator
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Converting Plastics Into Low-Carbon Hydrogen, Forbes, by Trevor Clawson
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For Cambridge Enterprise
Our Impact Footprint
We’re already making a tangible difference across key sectors:
Packaging Waste Transform flexible films and PET rejects into clean hydrogen and chemical monomers. Fashion & Textiles Recover polyester fibers from garments, offcuts, and unsold inventory for reuse. Decarbonization Through Hydrogen Provide high-purity hydrogen for industry, research, and clean energy.
