Is Julian Brown Missing or Hiding? Inventor Missing After Plastoline Fame Sparks Threats

Julian Brown, a 21-year-old Atlanta inventor who gained fame for his Plastoline invention, a device that turns plastic waste into fuels like gasoline and diesel, has been absent from public view since 9 July 2025, after posting a video claiming, 'I'm certainly under attack.'

His mother, Nia Brown, insists he is safe but has provided no further details, leaving followers and climate advocates questioning whether he is missing or in hiding due to targeted threats related to his groundbreaking work.

As speculation grows, Brown's story raises concerns about the safety of young innovators.

Innovator's Vision and Industry Impact

Brown's Plastoline, a solar-powered microwave pyrolysis reactor, has been hailed as a potential solution to global plastic waste, with lab tests in Washington confirming its fuel burns cleaner than standard diesel, per the Financial Express.

Unlike traditional recycling, which costs £76 billion ($100 billion) annually to manage globally, Brown's technology aims to make recycling profitable.

'I saw a gap in recycling solutions and wanted to fill it,' Brown told Canvas Rebel in November 2024. His 1.7 million Instagram followers (@naturejab_) celebrated his DIY approach, but his rapid rise drew scrutiny.

X posts from @HustleBitch_ state, 'Julian Brown, a 21-year-old genius, created tech that could destroy Big Oil, converting trash into jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline.' His role as a 776 Foundation Climate Fellow further elevated his profile, positioning him as a leader in sustainable innovation.

Safety Concerns and Cryptic Warnings

Brown's final Instagram post on 9 July 2025, where he appeared visibly shaken, urged followers to 'keep your eyes open' and warned of 'very odd stuff' happening.

Earlier, he reported being falsely flagged to the US Environmental Protection Agency, suggesting regulatory harassment, per the Times of India.

'Something is happening, keep me in your prayers,' he captioned, as cited by Hindustan Times. Unlike previous reports of helicopters or stalking, these posts focused on vague threats, fueling fears of sabotage.

X posts from @LoveDoc26 noted, 'I don't believe he's missing. I think he's off the grid to avoid the black cars and choppers.'

@NaughtFan echoed the same sentiment, 'The global oil cartels, backed by complicit governments, will never allow this kind of breakthrough technology to reach the public uncontested'.

Atlanta police confirmed to Newsweek they are not investigating a missing person case, and the FBI has not commented, leaving followers to speculate about corporate or regulatory pushback against his disruptive innovation.

Family's Reassurance Amid Public Doubt

Nia Brown's statement to DailyMail on 28 July 2025, 'I can confirm Julian is safe, but in the best interest of his security, I'm not able to provide more information,' has done little to quell public concern. Users X were quick to catch on to this update, like this post from @DiRealDan

The lack of specifics, coupled with Brown's absence from his 1.3 million-strong TikTok community, has intensified speculation.

A 2024 reactor explosion that caused second-degree burns, noted by The Biography Bytes, highlighted the risks of his DIY experiments, yet Brown persisted, driven by a mission to address environmental crises.

With no confirmed investigation, his case underscores the vulnerability of independent inventors.

As global plastic waste is projected to increase by 70 percent by 2050, per World Bank report, Brown's potential to transform the industry remains at risk unless his safety is clarified.