Cleantech startup UBQ Materials from Kibbutz Tze'elim is collaborating with German automotive giant Daimler in a pilot program to integrate the eco-plastic substitute produced by UBQ as a raw material in automotive production as part of Daimler's moves to environmentally-friendly raw materials and a reduction in its carbon footprint.
UBQ produces 5,000 tons of the plastic-like material a year from household waste, such as food scraps, dirty diapers, used yogurt cartons and other waste types, some of which cannot be recycled in other ways. The material is already used today to manufacture a wide range of products including pipes, garbage bins and shopping carts. UBQ Chief Executive Officer Jack (Tato) Bigio says the agreement marks the first time the company's products will be tested for use in the global automotive industry.