21. Apr 2021
Keter Group Partners with UBQ Materials
Keter to introduce climate-positive UBQ material into product lines in a three-year contract, with plans for production worldwide
UBQ Materials, developer of the most climate-positive thermoplastic material on the market, today announced that Keter Group, the world's largest resin-based consumer goods company, will incorporate UBQ into multiple product lines in its effort to achieve its sustainability goal of incorporating 55 percent recycled content in its manufactured products within five years.
Established in 1948, Keter has long been an industry leader in resin manufacturing and was among the first to implement recycled materials into resin-based consumer goods. Keter products are a mainstay in homes all over the world. Leading the fast-growing outdoor furniture industry valued globally at over $17 billion, Keter operates in 100 countries and has 21 plants in Israel, Europe and North America. Keter is majority-owned by the private equity firm BC Partners, which purchased 80 percent of the company for 1.4 billion Euros in 2016.
"To reach our climate goals, we are going far beyond the classic recycling method by incorporating climate-positive UBQ," said Iftach Sachar, MD Global Sustainability, Marketing and Innovation of Keter Group. "This partnership will allow us to differentiate ourselves in the market, bringing a new level of sustainability to consumers and retailers without compromising on quality or competitive pricing of our products."
UBQ is a novel raw material for the manufacturing industry, distinguished by its patented technology and significant environmental benefits. A bio-based thermoplastic, UBQ™ is the result of an advanced waste conversion process that transforms landfill-destined household waste into a cost effective, climate-positive, alternative to plastic, wood, and minerals. Every ton of UBQ produced prevents nearly 12 tons of CO2-eq from polluting the environment, a gamechanger for manufacturers like Keter that are actively seeking to neutralize or even reverse the carbon footprint of their products.
"Innovation aimed to halt climate change exists and is readily available, but its ability to impact is dependent on the adoption and implementation across industries," said Tato Bigio, co-founder and CEO of UBQ Materials. "Continuing to deplete our natural resources is not an option, it is frankly no longer economically or environmentally viable. Through our partnership with Keter, we hope to set an example for industries to recognize sustainable manufacturing as a simple, cost-effective and necessary choice."
This partnership follows UBQ's announcement of its planned industrial scale facility in the Netherlands. The new facility will have an annual production output of over 72,000 tons of UBQ, one third of which is already allocated to Keter.