Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands — December 18, 2025 –Today, the first circular and CO₂-negative diamond-head bollard(1) has been installed in the Municipality of Bergen op Zoom, taking an important step toward sustainable urban infrastructure.
This CO₂-negative diamond-head bollard, made from recycled plastic, recycled household waste, and industrial hemp, was developed through a unique collaboration between UBQ Materials, C-biotech, Delaware, Microsoft, Trafiroad, and SGS.
“Sustainability is high on the agenda within the Municipality of Bergen op Zoom. This diamond-head bollard shows how we work together with companies and knowledge partners toward a climate-neutral future. It is not only a symbol of our ambitions, but also a product that helps make our environment greener every day, and therefore fits seamlessly with our plant-based ambition,” said alderman Hans Peter Verroen of the municipality of Bergen op Zoom.
Circular and CO₂-negative
At UBQ Materials’ 55,000 m² factory in Bergen op Zoom, household waste is collected and processed into a bio-based thermoplastic composite, UBQ™, which replaces traditional plastics in durable and semi-durable applications. Trafiroad and C-biotech combine UBQ™ with recycled plastic and hemp grown in the Netherlands to develop an innovative bio-composite.
Good for the environment
By converting household waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated into a sustainable plastic alternative for use in, among others, high-quality construction products, we create a scalable circular model that directly contributes to the decarbonization of the construction sector—without compromising on quality or price.
“This demonstrates that in the Netherlands, and also in Europe, we have the tools, the technology, and the sense of urgency to take a leading role in a climate-positive future—not tomorrow, but starting today,” says Steffan Brouwer, Managing Director of UBQ Materials NL.
Hemp is a CO₂-negative raw material that slows erosion and offers an alternative to tropical hardwood, an increasingly scarce and expensive resource. “With this application, we prove that bio-composites are not only ecologically responsible but also technically and economically viable. It is a tangible example of how local cultivation and circular innovation come together to make the construction sector more sustainable,” says Frederik Verstraete, C-biotech, a subsidiary of the Cordeel Group and a pioneer in the use of biobased (construction) materials.
“We are proud, as a market leader in traffic signage, to be the first to bring a 100% circular and CO₂-negative diamond-head bollard to the market,” continues Tony Marien. “In addition to preventing deforestation and reusing waste materials, our bollard provides sufficient warning and prevents potential damage during vehicle impacts.”
Full traceability
Full traceability of the production process is essential to prove the sustainability of the end product. Microsoft supports this with a transparent blockchain system that records every step and, with the help of satellite and sensor data, calculates the CO₂ impact of each phase. Delaware built a real-time platform for Earth+ that scientifically visualizes this chain and makes it fully traceable. SGS, an international expert in inspection and certification, independently validates the sustainability claims. The consortium of UBQ Materials, C-Biotech, and Trafiroad intends to engage SGS for the certification process.
- The net product carbon footprint of the diamond-head bollard is carbon negative and based solely on the raw materials of the bollard.
About UBQ Materials
UBQ Materials is a global manufacturing company that has developed a pioneering solution to the world’s growing waste challenge. Our patented UBQ™ technology transforms mixed household waste into a bio-based thermoplastic composite, UBQ™. This advanced solution reduces GHGs, lessens reliance on conventional plastics, and minimizes natural resource extraction. UBQ Materials is committed to providing cost-competitive, sustainable solutions that contribute to a circular economy. Learn more at www.ubqmaterials.com
For more information on the diamond-head bollard, visit: Steddy | Trafiroad
