Show Notes 151: Unpacking Innovation: The Future of Sustainable Plastic Recycling with Evoralis

In this week’s episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast, hosts Faye Holland and James Parton dive into the latest tech news and engage in a fascinating conversation with Josephin Holstein, founder and CTO of Evoralis. This episode is packed with insights into the world of sustainable technology and the innovative approaches being taken to tackle plastic waste.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

Weekly Tech News Roundup

• ARM’s Growth: ARM has reported a remarkable $1 billion in revenue for the second consecutive quarter, highlighting its pivotal role in the AI landscape. CEO Rene Haas stated, “AI is the most significant transformation of our generation,” showcasing ARM’s commitment to delivering energy-efficient computing solutions.

• Tech Incorporations Surge: The East of England saw a record high of 1,135 new tech companies incorporated in Q2 2025, a 21% increase from the previous year. This trend reflects a thriving tech ecosystem, with a total of 14,262 new tech companies across the UK.

• AI in Sports: Cambridge United has made headlines as the first football club to utilise AI for managing player contracts, partnering with GENIE AI to streamline the process. Rafie Faruq, CEO of GENIE AI, noted, “It’s an absolute pleasure to help the club sign players in line with EFL regulations through the use of AI.”

Interview with Josephin Holstein of Evoralis

In the second part of the episode, Josephin shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing how Evoralis is revolutionising plastic recycling through innovative enzyme technology.

• The Birth of Evoralis: Josephin and her team, originally postdocs at the University of Cambridge, recognised the potential for their research in biochemistry to impact the circular economy. “We decided to apply for the postdoc business plan competition... and it was quite nice,” she recalls, reflecting on their early steps towards commercialisation.

• Unique Technology: Evoralis develops enzymes that can efficiently break down various types of plastics, particularly in the textile industry. Josephin explains, “We can screen up to 10 million enzyme candidates per day, which is 1,000 times faster than conventional methods.” This rapid screening process is crucial for identifying effective solutions to plastic waste.

• Commercialisation Goals: The company is currently in the R&D phase, aiming to deliver its first enzymes within a year. Josephin emphasises the importance of collaboration, stating, “We need someone to produce our enzymes... we don’t want to build our own factory to recycle plastics.”

• Challenges Ahead: Josephin candidly discusses the hurdles in the biotech landscape, particularly in securing investment. “You have to be persistent and patient,” she advises, sharing her experience of navigating investor conversations and the importance of demonstrating traction in the market.

Why You Should Tune In

This episode not only highlights the exciting developments in the tech scene but also sheds light on the critical issue of plastic waste and the innovative solutions being developed to address it. Josephin’s insights into the intersection of science and business provide valuable lessons for startup founders and venture capitalists alike.

To listen and subscribe, search for ‘Cambridge Tech Podcast’ on your favourite podcasting platform or visit cambridgetechpodcast.com.