Julian Brown’s Plastoline: Transforming Plastic Waste into Fuel

Julian Brown, a 21-year-old self-taught inventor from Atlanta, Georgia, has gained widespread attention for his innovative Plastoline system, a microwave pyrolysis reactor designed to convert plastic waste into usable fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. 

Operating through his company, Naturejab, Brown’s invention addresses two pressing global challenges: plastic pollution and the demand for sustainable energy sources.

Plastoline utilizes microwave pyrolysis, a process that heats plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment to break down long polymer chains into hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are then refined into clean fuels.

Brown’s system is powered by solar panels and a generator, making it energy-efficient and reducing its carbon footprint compared to traditional recycling methods. 

The reactor, developed over five years, is a backyard prototype that Brown has scaled up through relentless experimentation, despite lacking formal scientific training. 

His work began in high school, driven by a passion for sustainability and creative problem-solving.

Plastoline offers a promising solution to the global plastic waste crisis, transforming discarded plastics into valuable resources. Brown envisions decentralized waste-to-energy systems, with communities worldwide using similar machines to manage plastic waste locally while producing fuel. 

Although the technology leverages the established concept of pyrolysis, Brown’s use of solar-powered microwaves sets his approach apart, aiming for lower emissions and greater accessibility. 

In 2024, an explosion during testing caused second-degree burns, yet Brown persisted, showcasing his commitment.

Public Reception and Challenges

Brown’s invention gained traction through social media, amassing over 1.8 million followers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where he shared his progress. A GoFundMe campaign to scale Plastoline into a full-scale plant raised over $30,000, though far from its $1 million goal. 

In July 2025, Brown sparked concern after posting cryptic messages about being “under attack” and fearing for his safety, followed by a period of social media silence. 

His mother, Nia Brown, later confirmed he was safe but keeping a low profile for security reasons. No official missing person report was filed, and speculation about his disappearance remains unconfirmed.

Brown continues to refine Plastoline, aiming to make it more efficient and affordable for widespread adoption. 

His story highlights the potential for young innovators to drive environmental change, proving that determination and ingenuity can yield solutions to complex global issues.

As he works to scale his technology, Brown remains a beacon of hope in the fight against plastic pollution.