Berlin startup Made of Air develops carbon-negative bioplastic

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In Germany, startup Made of Air says it has developed a bioplastic derived from burnt plant and forestry waste, also known as biochar, that can be used in a broad range of end products. Because the raw materials are plants that sequester carbon dioxide during their growth, the company is claiming its product is carbon-negative—essentially storing two tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for every one ton of bioplastic produced. 

“While we are a materials company, really in our heart we are a climate company and that’s the reason for our existence,” chief commercial officer Neema Shams tells Dezeen. “We’re aiming to help reverse climate change.”

Founded in 2016 by architects Allison ​Dring and Daniel ​Schwaag, Made of Air hopes to be producing enough bioplastic to sequester 1 gigaton of CO2e annually. Applications are pretty broad, and the material has already been used by H&M in a sunglass line. Made of Air is also in talks with a US furniture maker as well as automakers.