Kubik uses proprietary technology to upcycle plastic waste into low‑carbon, durable, and affordable interlocking building materials such as bricks, columns, beams, and jambs. The company operates a factory in Addis Ababa and currently recycles 5,000 kilograms of plastic per day, with a capacity of 45,000 kilograms per day. Its materials have passed safety tests by Intertek covering strength, toxicity, and flammability. Kubik says its products allow wall construction without cement, aggregates, or steel and can reduce costs by at least 40% per square meter. The startup has partnerships with corporates and the Addis Ababa municipality for a regular supply of plastic feedstock and is exploring near‑term product diversification into pavers and flooring. Kubik plans to out‑license its technology to scale across Africa from 2025 and eventually pursue global growth; it was co‑founded by Kidus Asfaw and Penda Marre in 2021. Kubik upcycles hard-to-recycle plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) into interlocking building materials such as bricks, columns, beams and jambs that enable wall construction without cement, aggregates, or steel. Its products are engineered to match the strength of cement-based walls while costing at least 40% less per square meter and producing at least five times lower greenhouse gas emissions. The company reports removing 45,000 kg of plastic waste from landfills every day and says its Ethiopia plant can produce over a quarter million square meters of wall surface annually — enough for up to 10,000 affordable homes per year. Kubik plans to scale production at its Ethiopia facility later this year and then expand to other African countries, building on operations in Kenya and Ethiopia. The startup emphasizes affordable, low-carbon housing solutions and has received recognition including Startup of the Year at the 2023 Global Startup Awards and being named the leading climate tech startup in Africa at VivaTech.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Apr 2024