UBQ Materials

UBQ Materials has developed an advanced conversion technology, patenting the world’s first bio-based material (UBQ™) made entirely of unsorted household waste; A revolutionary way to divert municipal solid waste from landfills and transform it into a sustainable substitute for oil-based plastics. With a climate-positive impact and a cost-competitive price, UBQ™ replaces our current linear consumption models with a circular economy, eliminates the need for landfills, and conserves finite resources for future generations.

Unlike traditional recycling, where waste material streams need to be separated, UBQ Materials uses the entire waste stream. Everything from food waste and mixed plastics to cardboard, paper and even diapers are converted into UBQ™, a novel thermoplastic raw material for the manufacturing industry. By diverting landfill-destined waste, UBQ™ prevents the emission of methane, ground water 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''.

Founded in 2012, UBQ Materials was strategically in stealth R&D until 2018. When repositioning landfill-destined waste as a valuable resource, it was imperative we hit the market for commercial partnerships only when our material could withstand the highest levels of quality certifications in its environmental claims and industry performance.

Since 2019, UBQ’s partnerships have included production of recycling bins for Central Virginia – an almost-poetic demonstration of circularity, where recycling bins are themselves made of trash; Development of premium auto parts with Mercedes Benz, introducing UBQ™ material into the highly-regulated automotive industry; and most recently launching serving trays with McDonald's, leveraging UBQ's near-food contact certifications. Partnering with such industry leaders pushes the limits of a new standard for sustainable materials. It is not enough to be just recyclable or climate-positive or zero-waste, UBQ enables manufacturers to address every aspect of their environmental impact.