SuperBin

About SuperBin

SuperBin is a South Korean company, founded in 2015 by CEO Kim Jeong-bin, that is tackling the urban waste problem through a technology-driven approach to recycling. Kim, who previously served as a consultant and later as CEO of a steel company, established SuperBin to create a circular economy where waste is a traded resource. The company's core mission is to make recycling more efficient, profitable, and engaging for the public.

SuperBin's business model revolves around the entire recycling value chain, from collection to the production of high-value raw materials. The company has two primary revenue streams: the sale and maintenance of its proprietary collection robots, and the manufacturing and sale of high-purity recycled plastic flakes. Its main clients include local governments, corporations like Naver and Samsung Biologics, and petrochemical companies that require a stable supply of recycled materials.

The company's flagship product is 'Nephron,' a reverse vending machine named after the filtering unit of the kidney. These AI-powered robots use computer vision to identify, sort, and collect recyclable PET bottles and aluminum cans. Users are incentivized to recycle by receiving cash-redeemable points for each item they deposit. This system addresses a critical issue in recycling: contamination. By collecting clean, properly sorted materials at the source, SuperBin significantly increases the quality and quantity of recyclables that can be processed. As of May 2022, over 450 Nephron units were operational across South Korea.

Collected materials are then processed at SuperBin's smart factory, 'im_factory,' which opened in late 2022. This facility uses AI and automation to produce high-quality r-PET flakes, a raw material used in textiles, construction, and food-grade packaging. The purity of these flakes is a key differentiator, as they are made from clean waste, reducing the need for extensive chemical processing. SuperBin has received significant funding, including a Series B round, to expand its operations and infrastructure.