Mark Herrema is the co-founder and CEO of Newlight Technologies, a California-based biotechnology firm that converts greenhouse gases into a biodegradable material called AirCarbon. Founded in 2003, Herrema’s mission has been to use market-driven solutions to combat climate change by treating carbon emissions as a valuable resource rather than a waste product. Under his leadership, Newlight has developed a proprietary biocatalyst that mimics natural processes found in the ocean to produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a high-performance thermoplastic. As of 2026, Herrema has successfully scaled this technology, securing partnerships with global giants like Nike, Amazon, and Target to replace traditional plastics and leather with carbon-negative alternatives.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Mark Herrema’s journey into the world of sustainable materials began during his undergraduate years at Princeton University. Graduating magna cum laude in 2004, Herrema initially focused on politics and political theory but maintained a rigorous secondary focus on physics, mathematics, and chemistry. This multidisciplinary background allowed him to approach environmental problems through a lens of both scientific feasibility and economic scalability.
His senior thesis at Princeton explored market-based solutions to global hunger, but it was during this research that he pivoted his attention toward carbon emissions. Herrema realized that if carbon could be assigned a tangible market value as a raw material, the private sector would have a self-sustaining incentive to pull it out of the atmosphere. This “starting with why” philosophy became the cornerstone of his career and the eventual founding of Newlight.
Founding Newlight Technologies (2003)
In 2003, while still a student, Herrema teamed up with his childhood friend Kenton Kimmel to launch Newlight Technologies. Operating out of Orange County, California, the pair spent the first decade of the company’s life in “stealth mode,” focusing strictly on research and development. Their goal was to find a biological catalyst that could convert methane or carbon dioxide into a solid polymer at a cost lower than petroleum-based plastics.
The early years were defined by technical hurdles and lean operations, as the team worked to perfect a biocatalyst that wouldn’t “shut off” once it produced a certain amount of polymer. By 2013, they made a breakthrough with a catalyst that was nine times more efficient than previous versions. This innovation allowed them to produce AirCarbon at a commercial scale, moving the company from a laboratory concept to an industrial reality.
The Science of AirCarbon
AirCarbon is a naturally occurring molecule known as PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate), which is produced by microorganisms in the ocean as a way to store energy. Herrema’s team developed a way to replicate this ocean-based process on land using large fermentation tanks. By feeding these microorganisms a blend of air and greenhouse gases—specifically methane or CO2—the organisms grow and fill their cells with PHB.
Once harvested, this material is purified into a white powder that can be melted down and formed into various shapes, including fibers, sheets, and solid parts. Unlike traditional plastics, AirCarbon is bio-based, biocompatible, and biodegradable in both soil and marine environments. Because the process uses captured greenhouse gases as its primary feedstock, the resulting products are often certified as carbon-negative, meaning they remove more carbon from the environment than was emitted during their production.
Career Milestones and Series F Funding
By 2026, Mark Herrema has steered Newlight Technologies through several massive growth phases, most notably the completion of a $125 million Series F funding round led by GenZero and Oxy Low Carbon Ventures. This capital infusion has been used to expand the company’s “Eagle 3” production facility in California and kickstart new operations in Ohio. These facilities represent the world’s first commercial-scale plants for biological carbon capture and conversion.
Herrema’s leadership has also been recognized on the global stage. He has been named a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum and was featured on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders. Under his tenure, Newlight received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. EPA, cementing AirCarbon’s status as a gold standard in sustainable material science.
Partnership Strategy and Consumer Brands
A key part of Herrema’s strategy has been the creation of consumer-facing brands to showcase AirCarbon’s versatility. He launched Restore Foodware, which produces the world’s first carbon-negative straws and cutlery, and Covalent, a high-end fashion brand that uses AirCarbon to create leather-alternative bags, wallets, and eyewear. Each Covalent product includes a “Carbon Date” on a blockchain, allowing consumers to track the exact day the carbon was captured for their specific item.
Beyond internal brands, Herrema has secured high-profile collaborations with Fortune 500 companies. Nike has partnered with Newlight to explore the use of AirCarbon in footwear and apparel, while Shake Shack has adopted Restore straws in select locations. These partnerships are critical to Herrema’s vision of making carbon-negative materials the new industry standard for the 21st century.
Practical Information and Planning
For businesses or researchers interested in collaborating with Mark Herrema and Newlight Technologies in 2026, the following information is essential:
Headquarters: Newlight Technologies is located in Huntington Beach, California.
Production Facilities: Major operations are centered at the “Eagle 3” site in California, with newer facilities expanding into the Midwest (Ohio).
Product Availability: Restore Foodware products are available at major retailers like Target and used by various hospitality chains. Covalent fashion items can be purchased via their official online boutique.
Business Inquiries: Newlight typically works with large-scale industrial partners for material integration (AirCarbon as a resin) or through their finished consumer product lines.
Sustainability Audits: All AirCarbon products are independently certified for carbon negativity by third parties like the Carbon Trust and SCS Global Services.
FAQs
Who is Mark Herrema?
Mark Herrema is the co-founder and CEO of Newlight Technologies, an innovator known for creating AirCarbon, a plastic alternative made from captured greenhouse gases.
What is AirCarbon?
AirCarbon is a brand name for PHB, a biodegradable material produced by microorganisms that “eat” methane and CO2, effectively turning pollution into a solid thermoplastic.
Is AirCarbon truly biodegradable?
Yes, unlike traditional plastics, AirCarbon is a natural molecule that microorganisms in the soil or ocean recognize as food, allowing it to biodegrade safely if it enters the environment.
Which companies use Mark Herrema’s technology?
Prominent partners include Nike, Amazon, Target, Shake Shack, and H&M, all of whom use AirCarbon for packaging, foodware, or fashion.
Where did Mark Herrema go to college?
Mark Herrema graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 2004, where he studied politics, physics, and chemistry.
Is Newlight Technologies a public company?
No, as of 2026, Newlight Technologies remains a private company, having raised significant capital through Series F funding rounds.
How does AirCarbon help the environment?
It reduces the amount of methane and CO2 in the atmosphere by using them as raw materials, while also preventing the accumulation of permanent synthetic plastics in the ocean.
What products can be made from AirCarbon?
The material is highly versatile and is currently used for straws, cutlery, phone cases, eyeglasses, handbags, and clothing fibers.
What is Covalent?
Covalent is a fashion brand founded by Mark Herrema that uses AirCarbon to create carbon-negative accessories with blockchain-traceable environmental footprints.
Can I invest in Newlight Technologies?
Direct investment is generally limited to institutional investors (like GenZero or Valedor Partners), though individuals can support the mission by purchasing AirCarbon-based products.
What is the “First Start” equivalent for AirCarbon?
In the world of carbon capture, this refers to the moment a new fermentation tank is “seeded” with microorganisms and successfully begins converting gas into solid polymer at scale.
For More Blog Related insights click on :
Bernie Bourke: The Life and Legacy of the Classic Car Expert
Universal Credit Payment Dates: 2026 UK Schedule and Guide
DWP Latest News on PIP: Comprehensive Guide to 2026 Reforms
To read more , Brighton City News