The automotive industry is increasingly considering its overall environmental impact through the development of EVs, circular economy principles, and the reuse of recycled materials in the manufacture of auto parts. The use of plastics is increasingly recognized as an issue that needs to be addressed in terms of overall carbon emissions.
The Mercedes VISION EQXX electric concept utilizes UBQ, a 100% bio-based material made from organic and non-recyclable household waste, developed by UBQ Materials. UBQ is used in the bionic structure of vehicle body shells and internal structures such as headrests.
We spoke to Jack ‘Tato’ Bigio, co-CEO of UBQ Materials, about how bio-based materials are manufactured and their environmental benefits.
Just Auto (JA): Could you tell us a little about your background when you joined the company?
Jacques Tato Biggio (JTB): My background at UBQ is in project development and fundraising. The other aspect of my curriculum was managing an investment company. This is very different from project-based work.
I have been exposed to the dynamics of the business environment through project development. I have also been exposed to the startup world. The investment firm worked on 42 startups at various stages.
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Without that experience, I am convinced that my role at UBQ would not be the same. Three years ago, we never thought we would be able to sell these materials to the automotive industry. Our company has been very thorough in its research and development of material processes, which has allowed us to create versatile materials that can be used in a variety of industries.
How is 100% bio-based material made?
Basically, we created a new material. It didn’t exist before. A bio-based thermoplastic composite material. We call this a “plastic alternative” because the word plastic refers to petroleum-based plastics, but we’re creating a plastic alternative. All made from household waste. This waste is intended for landfill or, in some cases, incineration.
Since we are not extracting new natural resources, we have invented new natural resources that cost nothing to the environment or to the planet. We waste money, and waste becomes a burden. Landfills aren’t just ugly and smelly. They emit huge amounts of methane. Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, and 20% of the world’s methane is produced in landfills.
First, by recovering these materials, we can create circular solutions for these materials. Second, it saves methane, saves space, and eliminates odors. Landfills are seen as the end of the road, and we say, “No, that’s not a cemetery. It’s just the beginning, the beginning of a unique new natural resource.”
We use all the waste in the process, especially the organic part of the waste, which no one uses. Typically, when we talk about recycling in the plastics industry, we’re talking about turning plastic back into plastic, either mechanically or chemically.
UBQ offers ‘new plastics’ made entirely from waste, without any sorting, including all food products such as chicken bones, banana peels and salad leftovers. Of course, this also includes all the dirty cardboard and paper that has high recyclability and is already contaminated. This includes diapers, which are highly recyclable, and also includes all plastics left as residue in landfills.
We accept that waste and keep it out of landfills. We convert that material into pellets, which are then shipped to manufacturers to be used to make more sustainable products.
It is bio-based, circular and carbon negative. This means that for every ton of UBQ we reduce emissions. Rather than contributing carbon to the planet, we are locking it up.
We are highly recyclable. This means that when using UBQ materials, the product is highly recyclable. This is very important because you are not using one loop, you can loop it many times.
How does the company receive waste from landfills?
Landfills are a business unto themselves. We don’t partner with them, we partner with waste haulers who are interested in doing something instead of sending their waste to a landfill.
First of all, they have some recognition that this is a problem, but the important thing is that landfilling is very expensive and is a last resort. Countries pay large amounts of money per ton to engage in landfilling, making it very expensive to dump waste there. These companies save huge amounts of money by not sending their waste to landfills.
This is a win-win, and we can not only give them a much better deal, but also come up with a solution. As waste transporters, they also support the circular economy.
There are three very large waste management companies in the United States. These companies like to talk about recycling, but at the end of the day, only 6% is recycled because there is no system to recycle it economically.
With us, they can actually talk about recycling anything they pick up from home. We can put that back into the economy and replace the material, which is plastic, which is very problematic, rare and expensive.
We are solving the problem of mass exploitation of natural resources and actually solving the problem of waste with new materials that replace the very limited material of plastics made from petroleum. It’s a combination of many elements into one, and that’s why we’re getting so much attention.
Where does Mercedes-Benz use materials in the manufacturing process?
They started using it in boxes that housed electric car batteries. Our company continues to develop automotive plastic parts using UBQ materials. If I remember correctly, there are 29-30 approved and verified applications.
Plastic is a central material for automobiles. You may not know this, but cars are made of a lot of plastic. UBQ can be used to protect the trunk, interior and underside of the vehicle. There are lots of different applications that typically use plastic.
Do you think other auto industries will make this change over time?
There is no doubt about it, and for that to happen the industry must embrace change. Mercedes did a great job of pioneering this, knowing that there would be regulations that would impose similar things in the coming years. They were amazingly efficient in his implementation of UBQ. This is a partnership that we are very proud of.
We talk a lot about Mercedes because we feel from the beginning that we have a very strong connection with Mercedes. We also cooperate with other car companies. Typically, what we want is for car companies to announce that they are using UBQ before they announce a partnership with us.
I think the automotive industry will embrace this change in a big way. They also need to. It’s part of the new language. Many companies and brands in construction, retail, logistics, etc. can manufacture any product made of plastic with UBQ, which is why many companies and brands are making the move.
What goals has the company set for this year?
The company’s strategy is to expand by installing industrial plants and UBQ manufacturing facilities in as many locations as possible. Producing UBQ using local waste makes a lot of sense, as does shipping it to local industry. It brings us closer to the market. We need to be close to our customers. At the end of the day, we need to sell material, and we need demand and traction for that material.
We developed the technology at our factory in Israel and started shipping materials. We have found that we are building a strong customer base. So we decided to develop a factory in the Netherlands. We aim to start commissioning that plant soon and hopefully start selling his UBQ materials from that plant to the European industry and to the United States.
We are also expanding our workforce. We are expanding our research and development and support capabilities in Israel. In the Netherlands, we employ people for factory operations, material sales, sales force, and technical support. And we are hiring more people in the United States to develop new plans, future development plans.
Technology like UBQ is needed to bridge the gap between behavioral change and effective industrial operations. The new generation has a very open mindset towards the environment. Their choices are increasingly influenced by their impact on the environment, and this will completely change the way the industry works. We need efficient and economically viable technology. Because they need a way to support themselves instead of making a living through charity and grants.
Our technology shows that it is possible to think outside the box. Creating alternative solutions that are impactful, commercially viable, and help solve our collective climate impact, solve our dependence on natural resources, and pass on a better word to our grandchildren. being able to do things in a way that