Plastic has many uses, but it also creates major challenges. Most plastics are produced using fossil fuels, much of the plastic produced is for single use, and proper circular solutions are generally lacking
Building a circular future for plastics
At KIRKBI Climate, we want to contribute to the transition of the plastics economy from the existing linear “take-make-waste” model to a circular one, where plastic is a more sustainable and valuable resource.
Our efforts are guided by three key focus areas:
Less Plastic
Investing in new business models that reduce the use of plastic.
Better Plastic
Supporting the development of alternatives to fossil-fuel-based plastics, such as bio-based materials and substitutes.
Better Systems
Improving how plastics are managed at the end of their life, including sorting, recycling and enabling technologies.
Our portfolio
Our Circular Plastics portfolio consists of minority shares in companies addressing our three key focus areas. The current portfolio consists of:
Recycling company driving circularity in the fashion industry by turning end-of-life textiles into new materials.
Closed Loop Leadership Fund: A buyout fund focused on acquiring companies to build circular supply chains.
Circular Plastics Fund: Managed by Infinity Recycling, a circular plastics focused investment manager focusing on advancing recycling technologies.
Produces chitosan, a biodegradable biopolymer from crustacean shells, via a groundbreaking zero-waste process.
A case from our portfolio
Tidal Vision – developing chitosan from crustacean shells
Founded in 2015 and based in Bellingham, Washington, Tidal Vision pioneers chitosan development from crustacean shells with a team of 200.
The company’s eco-friendly process cuts costs, improves performance, and reduces hazardous waste 17-fold compared to traditional methods, making chitosan more accessible and sustainable. Tidal Vision operates in three divisions:
- Tidal Clear (Water): Affordable, clean water treatment solutions.
- Tidal Grow (Agriculture): Enhances farm inputs while cutting emissions.
- Tidal Tec (Bio-materials): Scalable alternatives to toxic chemicals and plastics.
Traditionally limited to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, chitosan now has potential for mass adoption across industries. In December 2024, KIRKBI joined as a minority investor in Tidal Vision’s Series-B funding round.