Novoloop’s upcycled plastic takes a step closer to production

Novoloop, a plastic recycling startup based in Menlo Park, has secured a commercial-scale production deal with Huide Science and Technology to supply a chemical building block—polyol—used to make thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Novoloop’s polyol is produced from post-consumer polyethylene waste, such as plastic bags, which are notoriously difficult to recycle. TPU is a versatile plastic used in products ranging from running shoes to medical devices. This agreement marks a significant milestone for Novoloop as it navigates the challenging “valley of death” phase common to hardware-dependent climate tech startups, where technology validation has occurred but revenue generation remains limited. Currently, Novoloop operates a demonstration plant in India capable of producing tens of tons of polyol annually, sufficient for major pilot projects including an upcoming footwear collaboration. The company previously supplied Swiss shoe manufacturer On with its Lifecycled TPU material. CEO Miranda Wang emphasized that achieving economies of scale through deals like the one with Huide is critical