Aduro Clean Technologies (ACT) LD Micro Main Event XIX Investor Conference summary

Technology and market positioning

• Developed a unique chemical recycling process that does not require hydrogen and uses inexpensive catalysts, enabling selective molecular breakdown at lower temperatures.

• Technology offers higher tolerance to contamination and higher yield compared to traditional pyrolysis, allowing processing of lower-value feedstock.

• Positioned as a chemical technology platform with applications beyond plastics, including heavy oil upgrading and agricultural waste.

• Can scale operations flexibly, serving both large and small feedstock sources, and enabling decentralized processing.

• Engaged with several Fortune 500 companies for technology testing and collaboration, including TotalEnergies and Shell.

Business model and commercialization strategy

• Focused on licensing the technology, with a 90% licensing model, while also pursuing build-operate opportunities for smaller applications.

• Business model leverages the ability to scale up or down, targeting both high-volume and niche waste streams.

• Customer engagement program established to build trust and move partners from evaluation to collaboration.

• Committed to annual milestones and transparent progress reporting, with a track record of meeting goals.

• Actively pursues grants but prioritizes rapid execution using internal or investor capital when necessary.

Financials and capital allocation

• Company is debt-free, with 38% insider ownership and approximately $15 million in cash as of the latest report.

• Monthly cash burn is about $750,000, with $5 million allocated for long lead items for future scale-up.

• Pilot plant investment is in the millions, with ROI for simple systems projected at 5–7 years.

• CapEx for the one-ton-per-hour plant is not disclosed, but the company is actively planning and securing resources for it.

• Financial strategy is to anticipate needs and secure funding ahead of time, avoiding last-minute capital raises.