Leading the Way in Nanotube Technology

Our Mission: A Sustainable Future

TrimTabs was born from an obsession with the potential of carbon nanotubes to solve some of humanity's largest challenges. We aim to end plastic as waste by unlocking its value through innovative engineering. We strive to meet the escalating global demand for carbon nanotubes sustainably. We are driven to demonstrate how waste from one stream can be a feedstock for another, resulting in superior value materials in alignment with the circular economy principles.

If nanotubes reach their full potential in energy storage and transmission applications, humanity will have access to cheap, clean and abundant energy, made from waste materials.

At TrimTabs, we're inspired by the concept of the trimtab - a small but powerful tool that can effect large-scale change. This idea was proposed by Buckminster Fuller, the American architect, engineer, and philosopher (1895-1983).

Fuller's idea of the trimtab as a metaphor for the power of small actions to effect large-scale change is a philosophy we've adopted in our business. We strive to drive innovation, create positive change, and promote sustainability with our cutting-edge technology for converting plastic waste into high-quality carbon nanotubes.

With our focus on sustainability and the power of small actions, we're leading the way to a better future for everyone. Join us on this journey towards a more sustainable world with TrimTabs - where innovation meets impact.

Our history and vision

When we created our first electronic circuit using carbon nanotubes that were sourced from black plastics, we felt strongly that this work needs to be continued.

Innovating with Sustainable Nanotube Technology

The idea behind TrimTabs originated with founder and CEO Dr. Alvin Orbaek White, whose background spans physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. His journey with carbon nanotubes began during his PhD at The Polytechnic University of Catalunya in 2005, where he was working on a device to convert lunar regolith into solar cells and oxygen for future moon missions.

"In order to do that, in space physics, you really need robust, lightweight materials that have long durability. And there was one critical material that was capable of doing this - carbon nanotubes," Dr. Orbaek White explains. Fascinated by their potential, he continued exploring nanotubes at Rice University, inspired by the late Professor Richard Smalley, a Nobel laureate for his work on buckminsterfullerene. Under Professor Andrew Baron's supervision, Dr. Orbaek White honed his skills, recalling, "I learned to make carbon nanotubes and was just totally enamoured by them. They're light like ash but have tensile strength 100 times greater than steel. So I thought to myself, this is a magic material."

Groundbreaking Research and Commercialization

After significant contributions at Rice, Dr. Orbaek White moved to MIT in 2014, where he developed a new method to produce carbon nanotubes of centimeter length. In 2016, he joined Swansea University to create the Power Distribution Materials Group, furthering large-scale nanotube production for the energy sector. Having perfected his approach, he founded TrimTabs in 2019 to commercialize this revolutionary technology.

TrimTabs secured €1 million in seed funding from angel investors in 2022. Dr. Orbaek White spent the last two years preparing the process for industrial application, optimizing for better yields and testing various feedstocks. R&D continued at Swansea University through a research agreement with the Energy Safety Research Institute.

Breakthrough in Sustainability

TrimTabs has achieved a breakthrough in sustainable manufacturing by developing a proprietary process that recycles waste plastic into high-quality carbon nanotubes. This innovation not only diverts plastic from landfills but also promotes a circular economy by capturing carbon from waste materials.

The company's patented technology has demonstrated remarkable success, including creating high-performance network cables from recycled materials. In one project, TrimTabs worked with a multinational medical materials producer to transform ostomy bags into Cat 5 network cables made entirely of carbon nanotubes.

Scalable and Cost-Effective Production

TrimTabs' method uses off-the-shelf equipment and a modular approach, enabling efficient and scalable production of nanotubes. This flexibility allows the company to meet diverse industry needs, from small-scale microfactories to large industrial facilities.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability

Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, TrimTabs' extensive patent portfolio and strategic partnerships ensure it remains at the forefront of nanotube technology, paving the way for groundbreaking applications across various sectors.

The company's mission is deeply rooted in sustainability. By converting waste plastic into valuable nanotubes, TrimTabs contributes to a greener, more efficient future, envisioning widespread adoption of sustainable technologies driven by the transformative power of carbon nanotubes.

Join our Journey

We invite researchers, corporate innovators, investors, and visionaries to join us on our mission. Together, we can unlock the full potential of carbon nanotubes and create a better world for future generations.