UBQ Materials has secured validation to issue carbon credits tied to emissions avoided through the use of its waste-based plastic alternative, marking a step toward integrating material innovation into carbon markets, the Netherlands-based manufacturer said Tuesday.
Its proprietary UBQ™, a thermoplastic made from mixed household waste, now allows companies to quantify emissions reductions achieved by replacing conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics with the material.
The credits are designed to help corporations address residual emissions while advancing climate targets in what is described as a “first of its kind project.”
The certification establishes an emissions avoidance factor of 2.155 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per ton of UBQ™ placed on the market.
The figure is based on a life-cycle assessment comparing UBQ™ with traditional oil-based plastics used in Europe, reflecting the emissions avoided through material substitution and landfill diversion.
The project was developed in partnership with Rainbow, a carbon registry aligned with Core Carbon Principles (CCPs), and underwent third-party validation by Carbon Check (India), an accredited verification body operating under international standards.
The credits are listed on the Rainbow Registry, where project data is publicly available.
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UBQ said the framework translates environmental benefits into a measurable financial asset, supporting adoption of lower-carbon materials across sectors such as retail, construction and automotive.
By linking waste conversion to carbon credits, the company aims to address cost barriers that have limited the uptake of circular alternatives.
Tato Bigio, co-founder and chief sustainability officer, said the approach helps correct pricing imbalances in the plastics market. “Today, plastics are not priced according to their true environmental cost, creating a structural barrier for circular and low-carbon alternatives,” he said.
Rainbow said the initiative represents a new methodology for quantifying avoided emissions from replacing conventional plastics. “Our collaboration with UBQ Materials has allowed us to create a new framework,” said Clément Georget, co-founder and chief product and technology officer.
The development reflects growing interest in expanding carbon markets beyond traditional projects, as companies seek new ways to link emissions reductions with industrial processes and circular economy models.
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