When a pianist steps onto an empty stage, silence becomes potential. Each note has the power to create harmony&mdash;or dissonance. Aduro Clean Technologies explores that same balance between simplicity and complexity, between human invention and nature&rsquo;s design, in&nbsp;Chemistry Goes Music. This short film reimagines chemistry as a performance: a conversation between science, sound, and the shared responsibility of caring for our planet.
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<h3>The plastic challenge that inspired chemistry goes music: Why difficult-to-recycle plastics need advanced recycling technologies</h3>
Understanding why polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene demand next-generation recycling solutions
Plastics are a modern marvel&mdash;and end-of-life plastics are the challenge. Materials like polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene are versatile, highly stable, and durable. That same stability, however, makes them resistant to nature&rsquo;s usual ways of breaking things down. To the natural world, plastic isn&rsquo;t part of the composition&mdash;it&rsquo;s a monotonous note that doesn&rsquo;t resolve.
Only about 10% of plastic waste gets recycled, and the rest lingers for centuries. Chemistry Goes Music was born from a desire to help people understand why&mdash;to see plastic not just as waste, but as an opportunity. The film invites viewers to listen differently, and to imagine how science and creativity can work in concert to bring these materials back into harmony with the world that made them. This challenge is why researchers worldwide are exploring advanced recycling solutions and sustainable plastic recycling approaches that can finally address difficult waste streams.

<h3>Inside the Film: How the performance tells the story of chemistry, innovation, and harmony in sustainable plastic solutions</h3>
A creative environmental interpretation that turns polymer science into emotional storytelling
The story opens with a pianist performing in an empty concert hall. He begins a piece called The Between. In Part A) Nature Singing, his music mirrors nature&mdash;beautiful, complex, dynamic, alive. In a G-major tonality, it is sparse, beautiful, yet rhythmically complicated, with a certain amount of rhythmic randomness. Like in nature, trees in a forest don&rsquo;t grow naturally at regular intervals, but there&rsquo;s natural beauty inherent in the randomness.&nbsp;
Then a scientist joins him on stage and replaces his score with something new: page after page of the same note. This brings us to Part B) Plastic Talking. This second movement is a complete contrast to the first, repeated notes at regular intervals, with very few irregularities - for the most part it&rsquo;s just one note that repeats over and over.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a simple but powerful metaphor. Plastics, at the molecular level, are repetitive chains&mdash;long sequences of identical chemical units. This is what makes them so functional, but also why they don&rsquo;t evolve or degrade naturally. The pianist&rsquo;s monotonous playing reflects a uniformity that feels so unnatural that it is nearly anti-natural. It&rsquo;s reminiscent of not only plastic molecules, but also of the virgin plastic production process, with repetitive mass manufacture, and of the plastic recycling problem, with plastics looming ominously in the environment without an end in sight.&nbsp;
As the performance continues in Part C) Technology Working, the pianist begins to change the score&mdash;to improvise, to reintroduce variation. This is the familiar Plastic Talking movement interspersed with high-pitched, jarring chord hits in the right hand, that literally cuts up plastic molecules. With each splice, the monotonous note changes pitch, adding more notes and more chords, symbolizing Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology (HCT) - an advanced plastics recycling solution developed by Aduro - in action.
The fourth movement, Part D) Singing Again, uses the cut up repetitive sequences from the previous movement to combine the Plastic Talking theme with the original Nature Singing theme, symbolic of circular plastics weaving themselves into our daily life, adding value and human-made structure to the randomness of nature, in a way that&rsquo;s, at last, harmonious.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the screen behind the pianist and scientist, images of waste plastic dissolve into images of reuse, invention, and coexistence with nature. By framing polymer science through artistic interpretation of recycling, the film becomes an example of environmental storytelling that connects science, creativity, and public awareness.
Just as the pianist reshapes the music into something new, Aduro exists to reshape plastic into valuable resources for the circular economy.

<h3>The science behind the sound: How Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology supports a circular economy for plastics</h3>
Breaking down &ldquo;boring&rdquo; polymers: the unique chemical process that transforms waste into renewable feedstock
While developing technology with the potential to break down plastics, Aduro created Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology (HCT), a breakthrough approach to chemical recycling. Instead of burning or melting plastics, water-based HCT uses moderate heat and a catalyst to cut long, repetitive polymer chains into smaller, reusable molecules&mdash;ready to be made into new plastics again.
This process:
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Works at lower temperatures compared to traditional thermolytic technologies, reducing energy use.
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Requires minimal pre-sorting of plastic waste.
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Produces a naphtha-cracker-ready output, compatible with existing industrial infrastructure.
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Is scalable&mdash;from small to industrial installations.
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In other words, HCT finds the melody in what used to be monotone. It turns waste into worth, restoring rhythm to the cycle of use and reuse. This kind of waste-to-resource innovation is central to circular economy for plastics strategies and positions HCT among the most promising next-generation plastic recycling technologies.

<h3>How Aduro creates technology that fits into the global landscape of advanced recycling solutions</h3>
Connecting Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology to industry-wide momentum in clean-tech recycling innovation
Around the world, researchers, engineers, and policymakers are accelerating the shift toward next-generation recycling technologies capable of handling complex waste streams. Advanced recycling solutions &ndash; including thermolytic recycling, depolymerization processes, and other forms of clean-tech recycling innovation &ndash; are gaining attention for their ability to turn mixed and contaminated plastics into high-value outputs. As companies and governments pursue ambitious climate goals, these technologies are becoming essential tools for driving defossilization in the chemicals industry, and reducing landfill reliance.
Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology sits within this broader movement. By transforming difficult-to-recycle polymers into high-quality, naphtha-cracker-ready feedstock, HCT supports both industrial scalability and long-term sustainability targets. These kinds of sustainable plastic recycling technologies help bridge the gap between environmental priorities and economic viability, making them increasingly important in global circular-economy strategies. As the demand for waste-to-resource innovation grows, solutions like HCT are positioned to play a central role in building more resilient, climate-forward material systems.

<h3>Behind the scenes: the artists, innovators, and clean-tech vision behind Chemistry Goes Music</h3>
Creative collaboration in environmental storytelling&mdash;uniting piano performance with plastics upcycling
The film&rsquo;s original score was composed by Jeremy Makkonen and Brian Roth, both known for blending classical structure with experimental harmony. Their collaboration with Aduro brought chemistry to life through sound&mdash;a score that begins with repetition and ends in resolution.
The production team from <a href="https://www.frameworksmedia.ca/">Frameworks Media</a>, working closely with the scientists at Aduro, designed each scene to mirror the logic of the lab: precision, curiosity, and transformation. The pianist&rsquo;s evolving performance becomes a symbol for innovation itself&mdash;creativity guided by structure. Their work demonstrates how science-inspired storytelling can make environmental technology innovation more accessible to audiences who may be new to chemical recycling.
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<h3>The bigger picture: why it matters for a circular future and the rise of sustainable investing</h3>
How waste-to-resource innovation supports ESG goals and next-generation circular-economy investments
Plastics have a place in modern life&mdash;they make medical devices, safety equipment, and countless daily conveniences possible. The challenge is not to abandon them, but to rethink their lifecycle.
Aduro&rsquo;s work is part of a broader movement toward a circular plastic economy, where materials never truly become waste. By breaking down complex plastics into their chemical building blocks, chemical recycling technologies like HCT close the loop&mdash;allowing us to reuse plastics again and again, sustainably and economically. As more environmental innovation companies emerge, investors are increasingly seeking ESG investing opportunities that support clean-tech recycling innovation and circular-economy investments.
Through music and science, Chemistry Goes Music reminds us that harmony doesn&rsquo;t come from simplicity&mdash;it comes from connection.
This shift toward advanced recycling is also reshaping how industries measure impact. Companies evaluating sustainable packaging strategies are looking for proven plastics upcycling options that strengthen ESG metrics while reducing Scope 3 emissions. At the same time, regulators and investors are tracking the rise of innovative plastic recycling technologies that promote resource efficiency and expand markets for recycled content. By enabling the recovery of high-quality molecular building blocks, Aduro creates technology that contributes to environmentally sustainable materials management and supports the clean-tech sector&rsquo;s rapidly evolving role in the low-carbon, circular economy.

<h3>Watch, share, and help us build a cleaner, more harmonious future</h3>
Join the movement: Support sustainable innovation, explore impact-investing opportunities, and spread awareness of advanced recycling
We invite you to watch Chemistry Goes Music and share it with others who care about sustainability, innovation, and the intersection of chemistry and music.&nbsp;
👉 <a href="https://www.chemistrygoesmusic.com" rel="follow">https://www.chemistrygoesmusic.com</a>
For those exploring sustainable investing opportunities or researching emerging sustainability companies, Aduro represents a compelling example of how clean tech can reshape the future of plastics.
&nbsp;👉 <a href="https://www.adurocleantech.com/hpu">https://www.adurocleantech.com/hpu</a> &nbsp;👉 <a href="https://investors.adurocleantech.com/" rel="follow">https://investors.adurocleantech.com</a><a href="https://www.adurocleantech.com/hpu"></a>

Aduro Clean Technologies explores that same balance between simplicity and complexity, between human invention and nature’s design, in Chemi

When chemistry and music meet: How a concert pianist helped visualize the challenge of recycling pl

Aduro Clean Technologies explores that same balance between simplicity and complexity, between human invention and nature’s design, in Chemistry Goes Music.

When chemistry and music meet: How a concert pianist helped visualize the challenge of recycling plastic — and why innovation is key

In industries driven by innovation, bringing a breakthrough from the lab to the market does not happen in a single leap, but rather follows a carefully staged journey. Because so much of this process happens before reaching the broader public, the stages along the commercialization path are not widely known. Each step plays a critical role to reduce technical, financial, and operational risk while building confidence in the technology&rsquo;s real-world potential.
At Aduro Clean Technologies, we are currently in the <a href="https://investors.adurocleantech.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2025/Aduro-Clean-Technologies-Provides-Update-on-NGP-Pilot-Plant-Commissioning/default.aspx" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">pilot stage</a> of our Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology for chemical recycling of waste plastic&mdash;a pivotal phase that bridges controlled lab research with scalable industrial applications. But scaling a technology isn&rsquo;t just about making it bigger; it&rsquo;s about proving it works, safely, efficiently, and repeatedly, every step of the way.
Let&rsquo;s take a closer look at how innovative technologies scale, the technology commercialization process, and where Aduro stands on that path today.

<h2>The Five Key Stages of Commercialization</h2>
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<h3>&nbsp; 1. Research &amp; Discovery</h3>
The journey begins with science. In this stage, innovators develop foundational ideas, theoretical models, and initial experiments.
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At this early phase of the commercialization process, teams generate scientific concepts that form the foundation of a technology commercialization roadmap. These discoveries often become intellectual property (IP), helping to establish a company&rsquo;s position in the innovation pipeline and attract early interest from investors. Proof-of-concept experiments provide critical validation data that demonstrate feasibility and help organizations build investment readiness before scaling further.
Our example: Our early work focused on research and investigation in the bitumen upgrading space. The initial goal was to find better ways to upgrade heavy petroleum. In pursuit of alternatives to conventional petrochemical technologies, Aduro scientists took a different approach that resulted in the discovery and development of Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology. The R&amp;D team took their learnings gathered over the years and applied them innovatively to further expand the scope of the core technology to the recycling of waste plastics. From lab notebooks to patents, this stage yielded critical intellectual property and experimental groundwork.
&nbsp;
<h3>2. Lab Scale</h3>
Once a concept is proven on paper, lab-scale experimentation puts it to the test in small, controlled settings. Here, the goal is to validate the chemistry and understand process parameters.
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During the lab-scale phase of a technology commercialization process, innovators focus on proof of scalability and market validation through repeatable experiments. This stage often defines the technology readiness level (TRL), generating reliable data that inform process design and set the foundation for future scale-up. It&rsquo;s where early-stage deep-tech investment becomes more tangible, supporting companies as they build a track record of operational excellence and prepare for a pilot-to-commercial transition.
Our example: Be it the chemical recycling of waste plastics, or bitumen upgrading, we successfully conducted extensive lab scale trials, generating reproducible results and basic process data &mdash; early proof that the technology works beyond theory.
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<h3>3. Pilot Scale &mdash; Where Aduro Is Now</h3>
Pilot plants are the first real-world test of a technology&rsquo;s performance under continuous operation and with real inputs. It&rsquo;s where lab success meets industrial reality.
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At the pilot stage, companies focus on technology validation, long-duration testing, and gathering operational data to prove commercial scalability. This is a critical milestone on the commercialization roadmap, showing investors that the company is managing capital efficiency, de-risking technology, and developing a repeatable, investment-ready process. Pilot operations strengthen strategic partnerships and set measurable commercial milestones that demonstrate a clear growth trajectory toward the demonstration phase.
Our status: We are actively <a href="https://investors.adurocleantech.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2025/Aduro-Clean-Technologies-Provides-Update-on-NGP-Pilot-Plant-Commissioning/default.aspx" rel="follow">commissioning our pilot plant</a>, running long-duration tests, gathering operational data, and refining automation. It is a pre-profit validation step on the commercialization journey, critical to the progress of Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology
&nbsp;
<h3>4. Demonstration Scale &mdash; Next for Aduro</h3>
Demonstration plants are intermediate-sized systems. In terms of chemical recycling processes, a demo plant simulates commercial operation on a smaller scale, helping validate the technology&rsquo;s reliability, cost-efficiency, and product quality, and is typically capable of processing 1&ndash;10 tonnes per day.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/CIZDGhTlQMAJ1LB0PIXH" width="800" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> At this stage, a company proves market readiness by generating product qualification data and performing techno-economic studies that appeal to potential investors. Demonstration-scale facilities are often pivotal in securing venture capital opportunities, forming public-private partnerships, and expanding innovation ecosystems. This is where commercialization funding and strategic partnerships come together to bridge the gap between a pre-revenue company or scaling startup and a commercial-scale enterprise, enabling confident market entry.
Our next step: <a href="https://investors.adurocleantech.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2025/Aduro-Clean-Technologies-Advances-Demonstration-Plant-Program-with-Extruder-Engineering-Trials/default.aspx" rel="follow">Front-end engineering</a> for our demonstration facility is already underway. The pilot plant will help provide critical data for the design and integration of the demonstration plant. We&rsquo;re <a href="https://investors.adurocleantech.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2025/Aduro-Clean-Technologies-Signs-NonBinding-LOI-for-Demonstration-Plant-Site-in-Europe/default.aspx" rel="follow">exploring site options</a> and engaging with potential partners to prepare for this next leap.
&nbsp;
<h3>5. Commercial Scale</h3>
At this stage, the technology is market-ready. Whether through full-sized facilities or modular deployments, the focus shifts to delivering value, generating revenue, and scaling impact.
The commercial stage represents the realization of a full commercialization strategy. Companies now deploy scaling technology at industrial scale, achieving market expansion and driving sustainable growth strategy. This is where revenue generation, customer contracts, and long-term investor confidence materialize, supported by a proven technology roadmap and disciplined execution. Success at this level signals commercial maturity &mdash; the culmination of a well-structured business scale-up process built on trust, validation, and innovation.
At Aduro, we remain committed to advancing our journey toward commercialization with unwavering scientific rigor, disciplined execution, and transparent communication with all stakeholders.
&nbsp;
<h2>Why the Stepwise Approach Matters</h2>
Scaling innovation isn&rsquo;t a race &mdash; it&rsquo;s a methodical process. Each stage builds technical credibility, de-risks investment, and ensures responsible growth.
Following a defined commercialization roadmap allows companies to transform early-stage ideas into scalable, investable technologies. Each stage &mdash; from research through demonstration &mdash; adds value by generating proof points that attract early-stage investment opportunities and innovation investment, and strengthen investor confidence. This structured approach not only clarifies a company&rsquo;s growth trajectory and helps map its position on the technology adoption curve, but also provides measurable indicators of technology readiness and capital efficiency.
By progressing step-by-step, innovators can manage investment risk, prioritize go-to-market strategies, and demonstrate proof of scalability before committing large resources. This process encourages smarter capital decisions, facilitates strategic partnerships, and lays the groundwork for sustainable, long-term success.
For investors, this framework offers transparency and predictability &mdash; key attributes of any emerging technology company or growth-stage company seeking to build credibility. Each milestone achieved serves as both a technical validation and a commercial signal that the company is executing effectively on its business growth stages. These commercialization success stories serve as social proof for investors and partners, turning technical progress into compelling commercial narratives.
Ultimately, this disciplined, stepwise approach represents the foundation of sustainable technology investment. It helps companies build operational excellence, ensures responsible market expansion, and accelerates the commercial innovation pathway that turns cutting-edge research into real-world impact.

<h2>Where Aduro Is Today &mdash; and What&rsquo;s Ahead</h2>
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Today: Our pilot plant is in the final stages of commissioning. We're processing real feedstocks, testing automation, and collecting operational data that will inform our next scale.
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Next: We're deep into engineering design for our demonstration plant, identifying site locations, and lining up partners.\
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Future: With validated pilot and demo results, Aduro will be positioned for licensing and commercial deployment. 
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&ldquo;While we validate our pilot-scale results, we&rsquo;re already laying the foundation for our demonstration plant &mdash; ensuring Aduro is always one step ahead.&rdquo;

<h2>Conclusion: Building Trust, Step by Step</h2>
Commercialization is not just about technology. It is fundamentally about trust, earned through data, discipline, and a proven, stepwise approach.
Follow our journey to learn more about Hydrochemolytic&trade; Technology and the real-world impact that it will have as we progress along our path to commercialization.

Learn about the five key stages of commercialization, from research to commercial scale, and discover where Aduro Clean Technologies stands today in its journey with Hydrochemolytic™ Technology.

Scaling innovation: The 5 stages of commercialization

In industries driven by innovation, bringing a breakthrough from the lab to the market does not happen in a single leap, but rather follows a carefully staged journey. Because so much of this process happens before reaching the broader public, the stages along the commercialization path are not widely known. ...

Scaling innovation: The five key stages of commercialization

Chemistry Goes Music
Combine chemistry and music to discover a real solution to plastic waste.

Nature is beautiful, diverse, and intricate. Beneath its complex web of molecules and chemical compounds lies an inherent circularity, where nothing goes to waste and everything is repurposed.

A world without plastics is unimaginable. Though often misunderstood, plastics bring immense value to our daily life. The challenge? At end-of-life, they don’t easily degrade in nature. Their strength is rooted in repetitive molecular structures that nature finds boring!

The solution? Breaking the monotony of long molecular chains to produce interesting compositions. At Aduro, we apply the transformative power of chemistry and novel technology to recompose difficult-to-recycle plastics into clean, reusable resources.

From boring to beautiful: Inspired by nature, our technology unlocks the true potential of plastic waste, bridging innovation with sustainability. We turn waste into possibility, bringing plastic back into harmony with nature… a perfect symphony!

Nature singing

Plastic talking

Technology working

Singing again

The game: Make chemistry go music

Download the sheet music