Carbon Cell

Carbon Cell creates high-performance, compostable biochar foam from organic waste, offering a carbon-negative solution for thermal insulation and packaging. Our patent-pending foam is stronger, fire-resistant, and sequesters over 2 tonnes of CO₂e per tonne of material, effectively combating plastic pollution and climate change.
2022
2-10
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
BiotechnologynologyCarbon CaptureProduct ResearchSustainability

Innovation

Industry Problem

Carbon Cell is addressing several critical environmental and industrial problems through its innovative biochar-based foam.

R&D Focus

Carbon Cell is innovating in the eco-friendly alternatives to plastic foam, specifically targeting high-performance, compostable materials for use in thermal insulation and protective packaging, where traditional EPS dominates. Their R&D centers on carbon sequestration, waste-to-resource transformation, and scalable green manufacturing techniques.

Innovative Solution

Carbon Cell addresses plastic pollution and carbon emissions by developing a high-performance, compostable foam made from biochar derived from organic waste. This carbon-negative material not only sequesters CO₂ but also offers superior thermal insulation, strength, and fire resistance compared to EPS. Their flexible manufacturing process allows customization for use in packaging and construction, making it a scalable, sustainable alternative to traditional polymer-based foams.

Solution Effectiveness

Carbon Cell’s solution is highly effective in both environmental and performance terms. Each tonne of biochar used in their foam locks away up to 2.1 tonnes of CO₂e, actively contributing to carbon sequestration and helping combat climate change. The foam is three times stronger than EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and offers comparable thermal insulation and soundproofing, making it suitable for demanding applications such as construction and protective packaging.

Investment Funding

Last Funding Stage

Seed

Total Funding Amount

$152.1K

Last Funding Amount

$152.1K

Last Funding Date

May, 2025

Startup Stage

Pre-Seed

Lead Investors

Carbon13

People

Founders

CEO

Products

Product

Carbon Cell’s product, known as Carbon Cell, is a carbon-negative, biodegradable foam designed to replace traditional polymer-based foams lsuch as expanded polystyrene (EPS). Made primarily from biochar, a material produced by pyrolyzing organic waste such as potato peels and textile scraps, Carbon Cell offers a sustainable alternative for applications in packaging, insulation, and construction. – Customer Reviews- NA

Star Product

The star product is Carbon Cell foam; it stands out because it is carbon-negative, made from biochar that locks in more CO₂ than is emitted during production, making it highly sustainable. It also offers high performance, being three times stronger than conventional EPS foam, while remaining fully compostable and non-toxic. Its flexible manufacturing allows custom shapes for diverse uses in packaging, insulation, and construction, positioning it as an eco-friendly, high-quality alternative to traditional plastic foams.

Demo Product or Complete Product?

Carbon Cell has not yet launched a commercial product. Currently, they are in the scaling and pilot testing stage, moving from small-batch production toward continuous manufacturing. With recent funding of $1.6 million raised in May 2025, the company is focused on collaborating with early customers to deliver thousands of units for real-world trials and performance validation.

Future Plan

Market Expansion

The company is exploring various applications for its foam, including protective packaging, insulation, and other areas where traditional plastic foams are used to explore into various markets in future.

Awards and Recognitions

Awards

– Green Concept Award 2024 – Innovate UK “Unlocking Potential” Award 2024 – Green Alley Award 2024 – QMSVF Pitch Competition 2024

Media Apperance

– Carbon Herald – Biochar Today – Advanced Carbonics Council – Sustainable Times

M&A and Collabs

Collab

Carboncell collaborated with Imperial College London’s Enterprise Lab and Undaunted in 2023 for supporting and funding purposes

Collab

Carbon Cell collaborated with 5ireChain to develop on-chain carbon markets for transparent exchange of carbon credits and RECs in 2023