Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

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

Certifications and Compliance

• USDA Certified Biobased Product
• REACH and RoHS compliant
• BPI Compostable Certification (in progress)
• Third-party LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)-verified carbon footprint

Target Market

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.