---
title: Carbon Cell
description: Repurposing EV batteries for energy storage, reducing waste to landfill, and improving carbon intensity of energy used through increased renewable generation throughout the system.
image: https://www.third-derivative.org/hubfs/carbon-cell-logoArtboard%201.png
---

[Skip to content](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/carbon-cell#main-content)

[![logo-dark](https://www.third-derivative.org/hubfs/Atomic_Third_Derivative/logos/logo-dark.png)](https://www.third-derivative.org)

- [Our Portfolio](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio)
- [For Entrepreneurs](https://www.third-derivative.org/startups) 
    - [Eligibility & Selection](https://www.third-derivative.org/startups)
    - [How to Apply](https://www.third-derivative.org/startup-application)
- Programs & Opportunities 
    - Innovation Cohorts & Partnerships 
          - [Industrial Innovation Cohorts](https://www.third-derivative.org/industrial-innovation-cohorts)
          - [Future Industries Partnership](https://www.third-derivative.org/future-industries-partnership)
          - Impact Archive 
                  - [Clean Mobile Power Initiative Cohort](https://www.third-derivative.org/clean-mobile-power-initiative-cohort)
                  - [First Gigaton Captured](https://www.third-derivative.org/first-gigaton-captured)
    - [Cooling Innovations](https://www.third-derivative.org/global-cooling-innovations) 
          - [Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling](https://www.third-derivative.org/passive-daytime-radiative-cooling)
- [Insights & Events](https://www.third-derivative.org/insights)
- [About Us](https://www.third-derivative.org/about) 
    - [Our Team](https://www.third-derivative.org/team)
    - [Careers](https://www.third-derivative.org/careers)
    - Our Partners 
          - [Corporates](https://www.third-derivative.org/corporates)
          - [Investors](https://www.third-derivative.org/investors)
          - [Mentors](https://www.third-derivative.org/mentors)

# Carbon Cell

##### ACCELERATING THE RATE OF CLIMATE INNOVATION BY:

Developing a carbon-negative, compostable, and high performance expanded foam replacement to EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Insulation — for use in packaging, insulation, and more.

![Carbon Cell](https://www.third-derivative.org/hubfs/carbon-cell-logoArtboard%201.png)

[Buildings](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/tag/buildings) [Low Carbon Materials](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/tag/low-carbon-materials) [Building Construction](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/tag/building-construction) [Cohort 25-1](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/tag/cohort-25-1)

##### PROBLEM FOCUS

EPS foam production has exceeded 10.64M tons / year. Made from petrochemicals, EPS is difficult to recycle and damages ecosystems. There is increasing regulatory pressure and consumer demand for green alternatives, but scalable, cost-effective options remain scarce.

##### TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION

Carbon Cell offers a carbon-negative, non-toxic, plastic-free foam made from biochar and natural binders. It is lightweight, strong, insulating, and compostable, with the ability to replace plastic foams in packaging, insulation, and fabrication. Fabricated as expandable beads for integration into existing foam manufacturing infrastructure, if Carbon Cell is not burned at end-of-life it can lock in carbon for 100+ years, proving a valuable tool in our battle against climate change.

##### HEADQUARTER

 London, England, UK

##### LEARN MORE

[http://www.carboncell.co](http://www.carboncell.co)

[Explore D3’s startup portfolio](https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio)

![logo-white](https://www.third-derivative.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Atomic_Third_Derivative/logos/logo-white.png?width=300&name=logo-white.png)

Founded by [RMI](https://rmi.org/) and [New Energy Nexus](https://www.newenergynexus.com/), Third Derivative (D3) is accelerating the rate of climate innovation through our inclusive ecosystem approach, which rapidly finds, funds, and scales climate tech globally.

#### Connect with us:

<https://twitter.com/Third_Deriv> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/third-deriv/> <https://newenergynexusnetwork.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-7cjoxxyf-QYn4y_ixtfMek3s~8WxQhA#/>

#### About

- [Story](https://www.third-derivative.org/about#story)
- [Team](https://www.third-derivative.org/team)
- [Careers](https://www.third-derivative.org/careers)

#### Insights & Events

- [Research & Insights](https://www.third-derivative.org/insights)

#### Contact

- [Contact Us](https://www.third-derivative.org/contact)
- [Media](https://www.third-derivative.org/press)

#### For Entrepreneurs

- [How to Apply](https://www.third-derivative.org/startup-application)
- [Eligibility & Selection](https://www.third-derivative.org/startups)

#### Partners

- [Investors](https://www.third-derivative.org/investors)
- [Corporates](https://www.third-derivative.org/corporates)
- [Mentors](https://www.third-derivative.org/mentors)
- [Refer a Startup](https://www.third-derivative.org/startup-referral)

#### SIGN UP FOR THE MONTHLY D3 NEWSLETTER

[Sign Up](https://rmi.tfaforms.net/100)

 Copyright 2026. Third Derivative. All Rights Reserved.

- [Privacy Policy](https://www.third-derivative.org/privacy-policy)

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3824596&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "dateModified" : "2024-10-01",
  "datePublished" : "2024-10-01",
  "headline" : "Carbon Cell",
  "image" : [ "https://7483280.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7483280/carbon-cell-logoArtboard%201.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.third-derivative.org/portfolio/carbon-cell",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  }
}
```