AirX Carbon Transforming Agricultural Waste into Carbon-Negative Bioplastics

AirX Carbon is one of the rare Vietnamese startups pursuing carbon-negative material technology — a relatively new but highly promising field amid global efforts to reduce emissions. Founded in 2015, the startup took a bold path: transforming agricultural by-products such as coffee husks, rice husks, and coconut fibers into environmentally friendly bioplastics. With a founding team grounded in strong technical expertise and years of perseverance in R&D, AirX Carbon successfully developed proprietary technology to convert agricultural waste into bio-polymers. These materials are then processed into pellets using eco-friendly manufacturing techniques and can be applied across a variety of industries, including footwear soles, electronics, household goods, and furniture.

Unlike many alternative plastic technologies that focus solely on biodegradability, AirX Carbon takes it a step further by aiming for carbon negativity throughout the entire product life cycle. Specifically, the startup is developing two main types of materials: one that can be recycled at the end of its life cycle, and another that is capable of rapid biodegradation—typically within two years under suitable biological conditions. This represents a significant improvement over conventional bioplastics, which may take decades to fully decompose. Moreover, the use of underutilized agricultural by-products helps substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste processing and open-field burning.

Since launching its first MVP product, AirX Carbon has continuously improved its materials to enhance mechanical strength, manufacturing compatibility, and application diversity. A major milestone was the development of NetZero Pallet, a packaging solution made from agricultural and forestry by-products. This product has been commercialized and received positive feedback from logistics and retail companies. Thanks to this innovation, AirX Carbon secured a $350,000 grant from the P4G initiative to scale up production of the NetZero Pallet.

The startup’s success stems not only from its technology but also from its ability to leverage the startup support ecosystem. In 2023, AirX Carbon ranked among the Top 2 at the TECHFEST Vietnam 2023 and won first prize at the Net Zero Challenge, an innovation competition focused on climate solutions held in Vietnam. Through these achievements, it received a total of $50,000 from investment funds Touchstone Partners and East Ventures. These partners, with their experience supporting tech startups in Southeast Asia, provided more than just capital — they also offered strategic guidance for market expansion. Additionally, AirX Carbon has built a manufacturing facility in Long An province with a current capacity of 100 tons per month, which is expected to increase to 500 tons by 2025, demonstrating the company’s readiness to meet growing market demand.

The journey of AirX Carbon offers valuable lessons for other founders. First is the importance of choosing a truly urgent and globally relevant problem. Instead of focusing on niche markets, AirX Carbon identified the global demand for plastic alternatives and committed to developing a foundational solution. Second is the ability to tap into both domestic and international innovation ecosystems. Participating in programs like TECHFEST, the Net Zero Challenge, and accessing international funding like P4G not only validated their technology but also opened practical opportunities for market access, mentorship, and partnerships. Finally, the integration of deep tech with a scalable business model has enabled AirX Carbon to generate both environmental value and commercial viability.

As Vietnam places greater emphasis on sustainable development goals, technology models like AirX Carbon not only contribute meaningful environmental solutions but also showcase the country’s innovation potential in the green industry sector.

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