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UBQ is a scientific breakthrough that transforms household waste into the greenest thermoplastic material on the planet.
About
UBQ Materials is an Israel-based company that has developed one of the most promising advanced waste conversion technologies. In a patented, closed-loop process, UBQ Materials valorizes waste, a third-generation feedstock, processing everything from food waste, mixed plastics, cardboard, paper, and dirty diapers - and converts it into a new, sustainable, raw material for the manufacturing of everyday familiar goods across a multitude of industries. The process begins with the receipt of Residual Solid Municipal Waste, items that were previously considered unrecyclable and were en-route to landfill. UBQ’s technology breaks down the heterogeneous waste streams into their basic, natural components before reconstituting them to create a brand-new material. During this process, the organic trash (for example, leftover food or garden trimmings) that comprises 70-80% of UBQ’s feedstock is broken down to its particulate constructs—lignin, cellulose, fibers, and sugars—and then reassembled and bound together into a matrix. The mixed plastics that constitute the remaining 20-30% melt and bond into the matrix to create a novel composite thermoplastic material. UBQ™ is a fully recyclable material. As dictated by circular economy requirements, UBQ™ is capable of being looped back into its original material value, to be utilized over and over. Unlike existing oil-based resins, UBQ™ materials can be recycled many more times without losing their physical properties. With a climate-positive impact and a cost-competitive price, UBQ™ replaces current linear consumption models with circular ones, eliminating the need for landfills, and conserving finite resources for future generations.
Key Benefits
Unlike traditional recycling, UBQ Materials uses the entire waste stream, requiring no separation, except for metals and minerals which have high recycling values. This means that UBQ Materials can support a circular economy in geographies that have little to no recycling infrastructure. By diverting landfill-destined waste, UBQ™ prevents the emission of methane, groundwater leakage and other environmental harms. Every ton of UBQ™ produced prevents 11.7 tons of CO2eq from polluting our environment; Life Cycle Assessment auditors Quantis designated UBQ™ as “The Most Climate Positive Thermoplastic Material on the Market''. The UBQ conversion process was developed to have virtually zero impact. With a relatively small amount of energy, no emissions, waste, effluents or use of water, UBQ effectively converts a seemingly heterogeneous stream of materials into a homogeneous, bio-based, cost-competitive composite material.
Applications
Through robust partnerships, hundreds of UBQ™ production application development trials have been completed over the last several years. UBQ™ has been proven fit for use in the production of durable plastic products, spanning everything from municipal trash cans to shopping carts, shipping pallets, pipes and even car parts. UBQ Materials’ research and development began in 2012. For the past 8 years, we have designed, tested, and redesigned the UBQ™ production process, converting a seemingly heterogeneous stream of materials into a homogeneous, bio-based composite. From injection to compression molding through to extrusion and 3D printing, UBQ™ has been proven to be compatible with Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), and Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Our manufacturing partners have rigorously tested the material and its compatibility with their existing equipment and processes. Current partnerships include Mercedes-Benz, whose Daimler division aims to replace traditional materials such as Polypropylene with UBQ’s climate-positive thermoplastic as early as 2022; retail solutions supplier Mainetti, who is introducing UBQ™ material into its current production of climate-forward hangers; and McDonald’s, who is using UBQ™ material in climate-positive products.