Plastic recycling innovator Novoloop has officially entered into a major manufacturing partnership, formalizing a deal that will enable the commercial-scale production of its groundbreaking upcycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as reported exclusively by TechCrunch. This agreement signals a transformative step forward for the Menlo Park–based startup, allowing it to advance beyond the precarious developmental phase commonly referred to as the ‘valley of death’—a critical juncture that often challenges climate technology companies striving to transition from proof-of-concept to full-scale operations. Many emerging hardware-focused startups encounter this perilous stage after successfully validating their core technology yet before achieving consistent market revenue, frequently facing a shortage of funds to sustain momentum.
Under the newly established arrangement, Novoloop will provide Huide Science and Technology, a prominent manufacturer, with one of its core chemical intermediates essential for producing thermoplastic polyurethane. This material, a polyol, is derived from post-consumer polyethylene waste—such as discarded plastic shopping bags—which represents one of the most notoriously difficult categories of plastic to recycle through conventional means. Novoloop’s proprietary process transforms this hard-to-reclaim waste into valuable industrial input, effectively breathing new life into materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill accumulation.
Thermoplastic polyurethanes, commonly abbreviated as TPUs, are versatile polymers widely utilized across a broad range of industries. These materials are known for combining elasticity, durability, and resistance to abrasion, and they appear in consumer goods from running shoes to high-performance medical equipment. By supplying industrial-grade polyols made from sustainable feedstocks, Novoloop positions itself at the intersection of advanced materials engineering and circular economy innovation.
According to co-founder and chief executive Miranda Wang, the partnership with Huide represents a crucial step forward in solidifying a commercially viable business model. In her discussion with TechCrunch, Wang emphasized that for this particular line of products, Novoloop has effectively reached the stage of establishing a bona fide commercial relationship, marking the transition from prototype-based experimentation to market-driven production capacity. Nevertheless, the company presently faces supply limitations, as its existing production capabilities remain constrained by the size of its demonstration facility.
Earlier this year, Novoloop inaugurated its pilot-scale plant in India, a milestone achievement that provides tangible proof of its ability to operate beyond the laboratory environment. The plant can currently produce several tens of tons of polyols annually—a modest yet meaningful volume sufficient to support sizable pilot programs with early commercial customers. Among these initiatives is a major footwear project set to be unveiled in the near future. Previously, Novoloop collaborated with the Swiss footwear company On, supplying its proprietary Lifecycled material for use in the tread of the brand’s innovative Cloudprime sneaker, a prominent example of how circular design can merge with performance-driven fashion.
Wang underscored that agreements like the one struck with Huide will play a central role in propelling Novoloop toward profitability and scalability. The company’s next major challenge involves overcoming the industry’s persistent barrier of achieving economies of scale, which remains fundamental to reducing production costs and achieving price parity with conventional, fossil-derived plastics. In her view, the coming year will be dedicated largely to solidifying a pipeline of customer partnerships, finalizing additional agreements, and leveraging these relationships to secure financing for the construction of larger commercial-scale manufacturing facilities.
Looking ahead, Novoloop anticipates that once the necessary deals and funding are in place, it will be able to commission its first full-scale production plant by early 2028. This facility, in its initial configuration, is projected to generate enough polyols to produce approximately 16,000 tons of TPU each year—a scale that would substantially advance both its commercialization goals and its environmental mission. As Wang explained, achieving that level of production volume would allow Novoloop to offer its sustainable materials at cost parity with virgin TPUs, thereby removing one of the most significant competitive hurdles and positioning the company to compete directly with traditional petrochemical-based polymer producers. Through initiatives like these, Novoloop continues to demonstrate how technological ingenuity and circular design can combine to create a more sustainable and economically viable materials industry.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/08/novoloops-upcycled-plastic-takes-a-step-closer-to-production/
