Newlight Technologies - Aircarbon, Covalent | World Tea Expo 2025
Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025
Las Vegas Convention Center
24 Mar - 26 Mar, 2025
Product Offerings
Products:
Aircarbon: Biodegradable thermoplastic
Covalent: Carbon-negative eyewear
Restore: Carbon-negative foodware
Product Categories
Available Products
Biodegradable thermoplastic
Carbon-negative eyewear
Carbon-negative foodware
Newlight Technologies, headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, is the pioneering climate-tech company behind Aircarbon—a regenerative, carbon-negative material designed to replace plastic by capturing carbon from the air. Through decades of biotechnological innovation, Newlight has created a platform that not only combats climate change but also redefines sustainability across industries ranging from fashion to foodservice.
Core Business and Product Innovations
Newlight’s core innovation is the development and commercialization of Aircarbon, a biomaterial made using microorganisms that consume greenhouse gases (such as methane and CO₂) and convert them into a high-performance, biodegradable thermoplastic called PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate).
Flagship Products and Brands
Aircarbon Material
A carbon-negative, ocean-degradable thermoplastic alternative to plastic and leather
Produced using naturally occurring microorganisms
Home-compostable, marine-degradable, and free of synthetic polymers
Covalent
A sustainable fashion brand that uses Aircarbon to produce carbon-negative eyewear
Each product is blockchain-traced, providing transparency on carbon impact and origin
Restore
A line of carbon-negative cutlery and foodware, offered to foodservice and hospitality sectors
Designed for single-use performance while being fully compostable and regenerative
These products serve as scalable, market-ready alternatives to petroleum-based plastics in packaging, accessories, and disposable goods.
Technology and Sustainability Impact
Aircarbon is manufactured by cultivating microorganisms that feed on air and greenhouse gases in a controlled environment. Once the microorganisms synthesize the biopolymer internally, it is extracted and processed into various materials.
Environmental Metrics (as of 2024):
Carbon-Negative Certification from third-party verifiers
Aircarbon production sequesters ~88 kg of CO₂e per kg of material produced
Plastic-equivalent tensile strength and moldability
Marine and soil biodegradation in less than 1 year, with no microplastic residue
Newlight’s material science platform has the potential to transform supply chains by decarbonizing materials at scale.
Market Reach and Distribution
Newlight operates across multiple industries and distribution channels:
Fashion and Lifestyle: Via Covalent’s direct-to-consumer model and retail partnerships
Foodservice and Hospitality: Through Restore’s collaboration with foodservice operators, event venues, and eco-conscious hospitality chains
Industrial and Packaging: Engaged in pilot partnerships with brands looking to decarbonize plastic packaging
Their materials are in use across the U.S., with active expansion into international markets in Europe and Asia.
Financial Insights and Funding
Backed by institutional investors and climate-focused funds, Newlight has raised over $100 million in capital, with major contributions from investors like Valley Oak Investments, Horizons Ventures, and ReGen Ventures.
Key Financial Milestones:
Facility in California now operating at commercial production capacity
Additional production facilities under development to support scaling demand
Projected production output expected to exceed 30 million pounds per year by 2026
Newlight targets sectors with the highest potential for plastic and emissions displacement:
Consumer goods and fashion
Foodservice and food packaging
Retail, health, and hospitality industries
Eco-conscious and climate-driven consumer segments
The company is also engaging enterprise clients seeking ESG-aligned materials to meet emissions-reduction targets.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
Bioconversion Facilities: Patented microbial production systems for scalable Aircarbon synthesis
In-House Manufacturing: Injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming capabilities
Product Customization: Tailored formulations for different use-cases (rigid, flexible, etc.)
Digital Transparency Tools: Covalent’s Carbon Tracer connects each product to its environmental impact via blockchain
Thought Leadership and Media Recognition
“Newlight’s Aircarbon is a masterclass in circular, scalable, science-backed sustainability.” – Fast Company
“A breakthrough that could change the world’s relationship with plastic.” – The New York Times
Featured in:
Forbes, Wired, Bloomberg Green
Recognized by World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer
Winner of the Index Award for design and innovation
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Nike: Material innovation collaborations for carbon-negative components
Shake Shack: Pilot deployment of Restore cutlery across select stores
USDA & Department of Energy: Research and commercialization support
Future Roadmap
Scale production through new bio-refineries and licensing partners
Expand Restore line to include plates, bowls, and food containers
Deepen integrations with luxury and performance brands in apparel and accessories
Introduce Aircarbon composite materials for durable applications
By turning greenhouse gases into everyday products, Newlight Technologies and its flagship material Aircarbon are charting a path toward regenerative consumer goods. In an era demanding climate accountability, Newlight stands at the forefront of carbon-negative manufacturing.
