How Novoloop Is Transforming the Future of Upcycled Plastic
Plastic recycling has long faced criticism for its inefficiencies, with less than 10% of global plastic waste ever finding new life. One of the biggest challenges has been single-use items like plastic grocery bags, which are notoriously difficult to recycle. But Novoloop, a pioneering California-based startup, is flipping the script with a breakthrough solution in upcycled plastic that turns waste into valuable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Within the first 100 words, it’s clear that Novoloop isn’t just improving recycling—it’s redefining it. By focusing on harder-to-recycle plastics and creating commercial-grade outputs, Novoloop is delivering results that have eluded the recycling industry for decades.
Scaling Upcycled Plastic into High-Value Products
At the core of Novoloop’s innovation is its newly proven ability to continuously produce TPU from waste plastics. Their demonstration plant has already reached an annual output capacity of 70 metric tons of this high-quality material, which is used in a wide range of products from footwear to automotive interiors. What's more, the material—branded as Lifecycled TPU—offers performance characteristics that match or exceed those of virgin plastic. This alone sets it apart from traditional recycling methods, which often yield subpar results. With strong demand and every batch selling out immediately, Novoloop is now planning its first commercial-scale facility. This planned expansion will enable broader use of upcycled plastic across multiple industries, proving that waste can fuel sustainable growth.
Funding and Partnerships Fuel Novoloop’s Expansion
Following a successful production trial, Novoloop secured a $21 million Series B funding round led by Taranis, a fund backed by oil and gas company Perenco. Additional investors include Valo Ventures and Shop Limited. This funding will help finalize the design of a large-scale commercial facility and kick off construction. Interestingly, Novoloop is exploring a co-location strategy—partnering with existing chemical plants that can host the new facility. These partnerships would provide ready infrastructure, while Novoloop brings its advanced process technology and market expertise. According to co-founder Miranda Wang, this collaboration offers traditional chemical companies a growth path into sustainability without requiring them to dive deep into new marketing or production domains.
Lifecycled TPU and the Next Phase of Circular Innovation
Novoloop’s flagship material, Lifecycled TPU, is created through a chemical process that deconstructs polyethylene into monomers and rebuilds them into stronger, more versatile polymers. This not only extends the lifecycle of plastic but also upgrades it. Their work has already caught the attention of major brands—running shoe company On used Lifecycled TPU in the tread of its Cloudprime sneaker. The startup is also entering mechanical recycling, collecting TPU scraps from factory floors and enhancing them to match virgin-quality standards. This dual approach—upcycling and mechanical recycling—positions Novoloop as a leader in sustainable materials innovation, and its journey serves as a model for how deep-tech solutions can solve one of the planet’s most pressing problems: plastic pollution.
Why Novoloop’s Model Matters
Novoloop is offering more than just a new material—it’s offering a new vision for plastic waste management. By transforming hard-to-recycle materials into commercial-grade products, the startup is enabling circular economies at scale. Investors are backing the company’s unique model, industries are lining up for its products, and its dual focus on innovation and sustainability places it at the forefront of a critical global movement. As more businesses look to reduce their environmental footprint, Novoloop’s approach to upcycled plastic stands out as a scalable, profitable, and planet-friendly solution.
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