Brazilian invention promises to recycle light plastic from industries with 90% less water, less energy, and up to 85% less CO₂

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 22/05/2026 at 18:30

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Brazilian startup claims that Loop method eliminates conventional recycling steps, reduces water, energy consumption and emissions, and targets reuse of lightweight plastic discarded by industries in Brazil

The Brazilian cleantech Vaique, created at the end of 2022, claims to have developed a technology capable of reducing water use by up to 90% in the recycling of lightweight plastic discarded by industries. The method, called Loop, also requires 76% less energy and emits 85% less carbon dioxide, according to the startup.

Vaique’s technology eliminates conventional recycling steps

Vaique’s solution focuses on pressing plastic waste. As a result, the process no longer uses common steps of the traditional route, such as washing, granulation, reprocessing, and pelletizing.

The main practical consequence is the reduction of the water footprint of recycling. In addition to consuming less water, the technology also reduces energy consumption and emissions associated with the process, according to the data provided by the company.

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Lightweight plastic has a low recycling rate in Brazil

Isaac Jarlicht, strategy director at Vaique, states that only 9.6% of lightweight plastic is recycled in Brazil. For him, this material is left aside within the reuse chain.

“Lightweight plastic is the ugly duckling of this story,” he told Folha. “If you talk to a collector and say you have a PET bottle and a lightweight plastic, he won’t take the lightweight plastic.”

In addition to the low weight, which reduces economic interest in collection, lightweight plastic can have layers with different compositions. This characteristic makes recycling more difficult compared to other plastic materials.

Industrial waste can return to the companies themselves

Vaique’s proposal is to transform waste discarded by the industry into new items used by the generating companies themselves. The startup cites packaging displays and other products that could replace parts made with virgin plastic.

This model has already started to be applied in a cosmetics industry. Vaique began producing the first pieces with plastic collected in this operation, and the waste returns to the company as trays used in the transport of caps.

The company’s name was not disclosed due to a confidentiality agreement. Even so, the case shows how reuse can occur within the production chain itself, reducing the need for new raw materials.

Brazilian innovation promises up to 90% water savings in plastic recycling — Image: Disclosure

Wall-to-wall model seeks to reduce transport and disposal

Vaique intends to adopt the wall-to-wall model, with recycling plants installed next to the industries that generate waste. The idea is to reduce carbon emissions in the transport of materials.

Direct reuse at the source also prevents industrial waste from being mixed with plastic waste discarded after consumption. The startup does not yet have the capacity to process these post-consumer materials.

“What we want is to prevent industry waste from going to traditional treatment, to landfills,” said Jarlicht, who worked for three decades as an executive in the pharmaceutical sector.

Loop patent is filed with INPI

According to Isaac Jarlicht, the Loop method patent is filed with the National Institute of Industrial Property. He also states that a survey conducted in 26 countries with plastic production found no similar technology.

With the method consolidated, Vaique’s challenge is to increase the adherence of large waste-generating companies. The startup sees this movement as a way to meet recycling targets set in a federal decree for 2025.

Leonardo Jarlich, industrial director of Vaique, states that the reused plastic can become an environmental asset for companies. The assessment is that the model can be more advantageous than selling waste to waste management centers.

Today, Vaique manufactures small pieces in a unit in downtown Rio de Janeiro. To process larger objects, the company would need to raise more resources. So far, all invested capital has been own.

Isaac Jarlicht claims that the company can reach a revenue exceeding R$ 100 million in the next five years, even without thousands of clients. According to him, two or three large clients would be sufficient to sustain this growth.

This article was prepared based on information from Folha, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.

Brazilian invention promises to recycle light plastic from industries with 90% less water, less energy, and up to 85% less CO₂

Brazilian startup claims that Loop method eliminates conventional recycling steps, reduces water, energy consumption and emissions, and targets reuse of lightweight plastic discarded by industries in Brazil

Vaique’s technology eliminates conventional recycling steps

Lightweight plastic has a low recycling rate in Brazil

Industrial waste can return to the companies themselves

Wall-to-wall model seeks to reduce transport and disposal

Loop patent is filed with INPI

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Brazilian invention promises to recycle light plastic from industries with 90% less water, less energy, and up to 85% less CO₂

Brazilian startup claims that Loop method eliminates conventional recycling steps, reduces water, energy consumption and emissions, and targets reuse of lightweight plastic discarded by industries in Brazil

Vaique’s technology eliminates conventional recycling steps

Lightweight plastic has a low recycling rate in Brazil

Industrial waste can return to the companies themselves

Wall-to-wall model seeks to reduce transport and disposal

Loop patent is filed with INPI

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