Enter the matrix: Inside Israeli UBQ Materials’ “scientific breakthrough” for waste management
24 Jan 2022 --- Israeli tech startup UBQ Materials is claiming to have developed a process that can produce the most “climate-friendly thermoplastic on the market.” By breaking down almost any household municipal waste, from chicken bones and diapers to plastic waste and cardboard, the company says it has discovered a method of reconstituting material elements into usable products.
Speaking to PackagingInsights, Albert Douer, chairman and co-CEO of UBQ Materials, says this “revolutionary” invention has the potential to end landfilling and slash greenhouse gas emissions globally.
“Our patented conversion process uses the entire unsorted household and municipal solid waste stream – humanity’s most abundant and least valued resource – and transforms it into a climate-positive, cost-effective and functional raw material that substitutes plastic, wood or concrete in endless industrial applications.”
Douer says this is the only known process that can utilize any discarded material and turn the “waste crisis into a truly circular economy.” UBQ stands for ubiquitous, he explains, as this adequately describes the waste crisis and its needed solution.
In December 2021, UBQ completed a funding round of US$170 million, led by impact investment firm TPG Rise.
UBQ thermoplastic created from municipal waste.The UBQ method
The UBQ conversion process is not a recycling or plastic treatment process, Douer explains.
“Our technology breaks down the organic elements of heterogeneous waste streams into their basic, natural components before reconstituting them to create a novel material. The vast majority of household waste consists of organic materials like lignin, cellulose, fibers and sugars. We reassemble them into a matrix.”
Any remaining mixed plastics are melted and bound into the matrix to create UBQ, a composite thermoplastic material. Both the advanced waste conversion process and the final UBQ material are novel innovations, and are patented worldwide.
Since the process uses the entire waste stream and requires no sorting or separation (except for metals and minerals that have high recycling values), UBQ Materials can support a circular economy in geographies that have little to no recycling infrastructure, Douer continues.
“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, valuable, bio-based composite material.”
Israel to the Netherlands
Douer says the inspiration for UBQ came from previous academic studies and empirical evidence.
A thermoplastic chair created with the UBQ method.
“What we have developed with UBQ is a scientific breakthrough that could close the loop between waste and product manufacturing,” he reiterates.
In 2018, following several years of R&D, plant upscaling, automation and material certifications, UBQ introduced its material into commercial production. Currently, UBQ is being used for several commercial applications, including in the logistics and automotive industries, and the company is preparing to expand internationally, starting with a factory in the Netherlands.
The factory is set to begin operations in 2022, with an annual output of 80,000 metric tons of UBQ. This expansion will also multiply the production of UBQ tenfold, reduce transportation mileage of material to clients, and employ over 150 people.
Challenges ahead
Douer says the most important challenge his team has faced has been overcoming the “disconnect between the sense of urgency we at UBQ feel, and the slow pace of change for standards and policies in place.”
“The climate crisis is real, and it’s happening now. Humanity cannot afford to pass the buck to another generation. Thankfully, we have a solution to address one of the most pressing issues, but we need to adopt it quickly for it to have the full effect.”
“With extensive R&D, third party validation, and world-renowned partners, we no longer need to convince the public that the linear model of consumption needs to change to a circular model,” he adds.
UBQ is suitable for products with a wall thickness of 2 mm and above, encompassing the most durable goods. However, the material is not approved for direct food contact at this stage.
The UBQ factory in the Netherlands is set to produce 80,000 tons of material per year.Color limitations
Near-food applications are currently permitted, and UBQ is already being used in McDonald’s serving trays and can be suitable for grocery carts or logistics crates. As with all recycled content, there is a color limitation that bars products with UBQ from being white or transparent, Douer explains.
Despite these limitations, UBQ has been tried and tested in thousands of other applications, including injection and compression molding extrusion and 3D printing. UBQ is also compatible with polypropylene, polyethylene, polylactic and polyvinyl.
Like other polymers, virgin or recycled, UBQ can be compounded with common additives to address product specifications such as coloration, impact strength and UV resistance.
Pricing war
Like nearly all packaging and waste management innovations, UBQ faces the challenge of reaching cost-competitiveness with virgin fossil fuel-based materials.
However, Douer claims UBQ is already used in existing manufacturing processes to replace petroleum-based plastics “without additional adaptation costs.”
“Our material introductory sales price is competitive with virgin resins on the market. Our conversion cost is no different than turning a polyolefin monomer into a polymer.”
Compared to conventional plastics, the company’s profit margin even increases due to the lack of feedstock costs, refining processes and monomerization, he says.
“Beyond price parity, UBQ’s competitive advantage is its ability to provide long-term fixed prices regardless of market volatility, all while bringing a powerful environmental value proposition to the market.”
Due to these advantages, UBQ’s main customers are plastic product manufacturers seeking environmentally sustainable solutions, stable competitive pricing, and high-performance materials.
“Our ability to deliver this trifecta showcases a win-win for all parties involved. This competitive edge will only grow exponentially, as do our economies of scale,” Douer concludes.
By Louis Gore-Langton
