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Dr. Devi Ramamoorthy: The Scientist Who Gave ‘Non-recyclable’ Waste a Second Life
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Dr. Devi Ramamoorthy’s transformation is one of quiet brilliance and unstoppable purpose. A Chennai-based chemist with a B.Sc, M.Sc, and PhD in Chemistry, she spent years studying materials and their environmental impact, alongside developing 18 years of experience in research and marketing. But it was during her time at HCL that she witnessed something deeply concerning, tons of polyurethane (PU) waste being dumped or burnt simply because the world believed it could not be recycled. That realisation pushed her toward a path very few dared to explore, and it became the beginning of Thaal Innovations.
Confidence is the key that carries you through even the most uncertain chapters.
At Thaal Innovations, Dr. Devi tackled a problem that had been ignored for decades. Polyurethane materials, from footwear to mattresses to textiles, generate enormous waste during manufacturing, waste that is usually treated as end-of-life. But she refused to accept that any material was truly “non-recyclable.” Through deep research, she developed a method to chemically break down PU waste into liquid chemicals that can be reused to create polyurethane-based products again. In a world where PU waste is produced in massive quantities, her innovation became a breakthrough, reducing pollution, cutting production costs, and proving that science can rewrite what we consider impossible.
Her participation at Pitch4Purpose became the turning point her innovation truly deserved. When she showcased how even materials once dismissed as “non-recyclable” could be transformed through deep research and scientific precision, the entire room paused. Many attendees were stunned to learn that polyurethane, a material long believed to have no sustainable end-life, could be chemically broken down and re-created into new PU products. Her clarity, confidence, and women-led leadership made her stand out instantly. Among the top 8 selected startups, she delivered a pitch so compelling that she won the “Best Pitch Award” in front of 10 investors. The recognition was immediate, investors approached her on the spot for next-level discussions, eager to explore funding and scale-up possibilities. Today, DPurpose Foundation is working closely with her to secure investment, expand market reach, and amplify the impact of her breakthrough innovation, ensuring that her solution reaches the scale the world needs.
She shared with us a powerful feedback, that DPurpose should amplify this message on a much larger scale so the world knows that recycling doesn’t end at plastics and metals; it extends to overlooked materials like PU that urgently need attention. Her trust in our voice and reach meant a lot, and it strengthened our commitment to elevate purpose-driven science.
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