# Arqlite

Arqlite is expanding its revolutionary technology to tackle plastic pollution

## Elevator pitch
Arqlite has developed a unique technology to transform the up-to-now unrecyclable plastics into efficient materials for the built environment.

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/arqlite
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:34705
- Last updated: 2026-06-06T05:00:48Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-06T09:41:36Z

## Quick facts
- ♻️We recycle what no one else can: complex plastics, at scale (1 ton per hour!)
- 🚀46% month-over-month growth on retail channels since our pre-launch in September.
- 💵Paid to take the waste and paid again for our outputs.
- 😎Our very first product is Smart: 3X lighter and 10X better insulator compared to mineral gravel.
- 🌿Our Smart Gravel replaces dumb gravel in concrete, hydroponics, and the base of pots, and planters.
- 🇦🇷🇺🇸Proven track record, from a garage in Argentina in 2015 to 24,000 sq ft California.
- 🥇Validated by Techstars, Plug & Play, Solar Impulse, Cemex Ventures, Echoing Green…
- 🙋‍♂️All created with $3M of investments from people like you and strategic investors like Cemex and Coca-Cola.

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:58032: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:58033: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:47146: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:47147: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## Story
Our commitment to you and the planet You recycle, and that's great, but did you know that most of the plastic you put into the bin still ends up in a landfill? There just hasn't been a way to turn dirty plastic waste into anything of value...until now. That’s where we come in: we recycle what no one else can and repurpose it to create Arqlite "Smart Gravel," a lightweight concrete aggregate and drainage replacement.And there’s another upside to our business model: we are paid by big plastic-waste generators to process their waste, which is our raw material, creating a second revenue source for our company.Moreover, Arqlite’s Smart Gravel is just the tip of the iceberg as the team is already working on new products to come using our innovative technology and the vast industrial network developed so far.The market is also evolving rapidly and new opportunities for revenue are emerging all the time. For example, companies around the world are now able to offset their plastic impact by purchasing plastic bonds. We are currently working towards being certified through the Recycled Materials Standard (RMS).*1 bag of Arqlite Smart Gravel (0.5f3) = 1451 bottle caps equivalent recycled!Why is Arqlite Smart Gravel such a great product?Ten times better insulator than mineral gravel, generating significant savings in AC and heating and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and housing when used as light aggregate for concretesThree times lighter than mineral rock reduces transportation emissions (with three times the volume in each truckload). Its lightweight helps cut installation times in half on french drains and water collection systems, saving labor costs and workers` backs.A greener replacement for lightweight aggregates like expanded clay, which has a high CO2 impact and requires mining extraction.Reusable as growth media in hydroponic operations, representing sizable long-term savings, besides offering a dust-free substrate that keeps systems clean and working for longer times.Great to grow bigger and healthier plants by keeping plant roots healthier. Plant lovers love installed contained at the bottom of big pots and raised garden beds. Check out our happy users: https://www.instagram.com/arqlite/Our product is already available across the USA from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, and is coming soon to your local supply center. And, we are already receiving great product reviews on Amazon. 4.5 stars.Arqlite featured on Spectrum News LATake a look at our manufacturing facilities in California and meet one of our #HappyUsers in this great story recently aired on Spectrum News.How we got to where we are todayAlready successfully manufactured and sold in Argentina, where we developed our proprietary technology to repurpose plastic waste (our raw material) and convert it into smart gravel, we are now manufacturing in the USA at our new factory in Los Angeles, California, a ten-times bigger installation.Forward-looking projections cannot be guaranteed.Our business model has been validated by key investors: Coca-Cola, Cemex, and Arcor. Moreover, we’ve already raised US$3 million through Seed and Series A funding rounds, ramping up the company valuation from US$285,000 to US$12 million in just six years. Now we are ready to take things to the next level by getting the community involved so we can multiply the impact of our business.Strategic InvestorsNational and international awardsFuture GrowthOur combined growth model consists of a combination of self-owned facilities and licenses to take this solution to every city around the world. Revenue streams include a recycling service fee (going up as landfills reach maximum capacity); Smart Gravel sales (with combined markets); a ready mix concrete (coming soon) you’ll see at all major big box stores, using the best Smart Gravel formula for a light, great insulative and eco-friendly cement concrete; and plastic bonds that generate cash just because we are already doing good for the planet.*This chart includes forward-looking projections that are not guaranteed.Arqlite is a business investment that checks all the boxes. Check it out!Products currently available      *Wholesale prices: 1G $7.99, 0.5CF $12.99, 1CY $90Our competition (dumb gravel)If you are an investor that wants to back a company whose mission is to drive positive change by delivering a truly scalable solution, look no further!

## FAQ
1. **Hello, I realize the process is proprietary, and it's great you are re-claiming formerly un-recycled plastic, but is there risk that the newly formed pellets could leech chemicals into water and/or soil? Is there testing done that shows this isn't the case, or is negligible(?)**
   - Hi Amit! Thanks for the question, this is one we get asked a lot and it makes total sense with all going on with plastics around the world. First of all, let me tell you safety is our number one priority. We have done extensive testing to ensure that the Smart Gravel is safe for soil, water, and all other applications. Our proprietary process turns the mixed plastics into a new plastic polymer, stable and inert, meaning it’s neutral in its interaction with other elements. Anyway, because this...
2. **I don't see anything in your investor presentation regarding patents. Are there any? How broad and in what countries/markets are they filed?**
   - Hi Robert, Patents have been filed in Argentina and the US, both for the process and the product, and are still under review. You can check more on USPTO: https://uspto.report/company/Arqlite-Spc However, because our R&D team never rests, we are way ahead of the tech originally filed and will soon be submitting new materials and processes.
3. **Plastics are a wide range of products with different base materials ( ethylene, polyethylene ect.) I believe the recycling numbers for plastics go from 1 to 7. Which plastics specifically does your process address?**
   - Hi Daniel, I'm passionate about plastics and especially about plastic waste (or discarded plastics) so this is a conversation I can have for hours. However, long story short is our technology is capable of processing the vast majority of plastics, including the most traditional 1 to 6 and many others including 7s (a polite category for no idea what's in here). The magic resides in the ability to process different polymers together into a new mix that can then be shaped in different ways. That...

## Team
- Sebastian Sajoux (CEO)
- Carlos Paviolo (Chief Development Officer)
- Alonzo Renteria (Facility Manager)
- Payton Rockwood (Marketing & Communications Analyst)

## Q&A
- Q: Hello, I realize the process is proprietary, and it's great you are re-claiming formerly un-recycled plastic, but is there risk that the newly formed pellets could leech chemicals into water and/or soil? Is there testing done that shows this isn't the case, or is negligible(?)
  - A: Hi Amit! Thanks for the question, this is one we get asked a lot and it makes total sense with all going on with plastics around the world. First of all, let me tell you safety is our number one priority. We have done extensive testing to ensure that the Smart Gravel is safe for soil, water, and all other applications. Our proprietary process turns the mixed plastics into a new plastic polymer, stable and inert, meaning it’s neutral in its interaction with other elements. Anyway, because this is a priority, we still test our product for leachate (an example of these results can be downloaded from the documents section on Wefunder) and it's always leachate-free. Additionally, because our process reduces the surface area of the plastic waste 100’s of times over, it will not degrade over time or release micro-plastics like a plastic bag or other plastic films typically would. Consider it as “good” as the plastic hose you water your plants with or the plastic pipes and containers used for hydroponic growth, where our product is a star. We also take it back for reprocessing if you ever decide to uninstall it and can’t find a new application. Reuse and recycle! Thanks again for your question, rest assured that we have our priorities in order!
- Q: Hello, you use water to clean the plastic before processing it. How much water is required to clean say a ton of material? Is this fresh water? Are you recycling the water and reusing it. What are you doing with the waste accumulated from the washing process? As you are well aware California is in a decades long drought with no end in site and reservoirs are at the lowest levels ever recorded. Are you using solar energy & storage batteries to run the factory?
  - A: Hi Julia! Thanks for getting involved! Arqlite's process is pretty unique as it doesn't require any water to clean the plastics. Its innovative technology works with a dry conditioning system that separates impurities and leaves plastic ready for processing. And because it has been designed sustainable from the base, even our cooling water runs on a closed-loop system so we don't even have a water discharge installed. Regarding solar, the heavy machinery needed to process 1 ton/hour requires to be connected to the grid. We do plan to shift to generate our own electricity in the future, but that's something down the road as it requires high-tech equipment. Hope this answers your questions. :)
- Q: As time goes on, do you have plans to further your process to find more efficient uses, or to potentially eliminate plastics?
  - A: Hi Robert, Definitely! Arqlite is a recycling technology company and our plans include new tech and new products with the goal of ultimately solving the problem of plastics. Our Smart Gravel is just an excuse to get out there, designed to avoid the bottlenecks of niche markets that many times slow down a startup's growth. This is the first commodity ever made from mixed plastics and that's the way we want to design future solutions as well. Large-scale solutions for large-scale problems. Thanks for joining!
- Q: Plastics are a wide range of products with different base materials ( ethylene, polyethylene ect.) I believe the recycling numbers for plastics go from 1 to 7. Which plastics specifically does your process address?
  - A: Hi Daniel, I'm passionate about plastics and especially about plastic waste (or discarded plastics) so this is a conversation I can have for hours. However, long story short is our technology is capable of processing the vast majority of plastics, including the most traditional 1 to 6 and many others including 7s (a polite category for no idea what's in here). The magic resides in the ability to process different polymers together into a new mix that can then be shaped in different ways. That's why our Smart Gravel is just the very first product on our list, with more to come in the future. Arqlite was originally designed as a solution for multilayered plastics found in most of the flexible plastic packaging out there. Having more than one layer of different plastics makes these materials unrecyclable under standard technologies. Instead of focusing on separating back the plastics, we decided to find a way to process them together. Nowadays we process flexible multilayered materials and also mixed plastics that come as refuse from other recyclers.
- Q: Hello Arqlite Team! Is the $500k raise towards OpEx? What's the payback period for the California plant, and the main friction to growth? Would love to see you guys open up plant after plant 🌳
- Q: How much compressive strength loss in concrete are you seeing with the plastic aggregate? One of the data sheets looks like a 4000psi test sample and it was 3000psi with the Arqlite. Is this correct? Does this translate across other strengths of concrete? 25% loss? Is this acceptable for construction? Roads? Are you planning on trying to enter the bagged concrete (Quikrete, etc) market? What is the weight difference on an 80lb bag with this aggregate vs natural stone aggregate?
  - A: Hi Aaron! There can be as many results as combinations of materials possible to produce a concrete mix (sand, cement, gravel, Arqlite, additives, water, slag, etc). For example, the most recent test results coming from US concrete show a reduction from 6,000psi to 5,000 psi at a 100% replacement of fine aggregates with our micro-mini gravel. This result makes it suitable for most concrete applications. Used at smaller percentages could be used in roads and many other high-scale projects. Bagged concrete is definitely an option for the future. Regarding weight comparison, Arqlite offers 650 to 800lbs/y3 vs 2,000 to 2,400lbs/y3 for mineral gravel. :)
- Q: Hi, Can your smart gravel be used with a specific green epoxy to form a paved, pathway like some other recycled products ( e.g. rubber tires) and aggregates. E,g KBI, USA, FilterPave, , PorousPave, etc. Maybe a future application for you?! I have a pathway refresh project ahead and looking sustainable durable porous substrate formed in place
  - A: Hi Leonard, This sounds like a cool experiment to run! Arqlite binds perfectly to epoxy and we've heard of people making slabs for decoration in the past. Not sure how it'll perform on a pathway although definitely curious about it! Maybe we can work on a small pilot together.
- Q: The following are relevant to the terms of the convertible note. 1.) When does the note expire? 2.) What is the interest rate of the note? 3.) Is there a discount to conversion for investment + accrued interest (i.e. sweetener)? 4.) What is the conversation trigger for this round of financing?
- Q: hi do you use your technology for the farming and agriculture business?...thanks
  - A: Hi Tom, our tech applies to all kinds of plastics, even those degraded by UV Light. For the farming industry, we could process all ag film, although there's no one sending it at this time.
- Q: I own and manage a retail outlet for recycled plastic lumber and furniture- plasticlumberstore.net - how do i become a distributor?
  - A: Hi David, please reach out to me at paytonrockwood@arqlite.com and I will help coordinate. Thank you for your interest!!
- Q: Your business looks like a wonderful idea for the environment. However, I'm a little concerned on the financials. If I understand correctly, the California plant went online around Oct 2020, your revenue over past three months is averaging about $20,000/mo., corresponding cost of goods are about $9,000/mo., and operating expenses run about $132,000/mo. What is going to change here and when? Either costs have to go way down or revenue has to go way up. If revenue is going to increase (significantly), where will that growth come from? I would love to support you but I would like something more than “We have had good contacts with people at the DOT.” Is the DOT saying they will run a test for road filler?
- Q: Hola Sebastian! ya hice mi aporte por $10k apostando por su proyecto. Te queria consultar porque me aparece como monto ''reservado'' en lugar de estar pago, hay que esperar por algo que haga wefunder? gracias, abrazo!
  - A: Mariano, bienvenido al equipo! Gracias por la confianza y por apoyar nuestra misión! En los próximos días estaremos presentando nuestro Form C, lo cual habilita el proceso de pagos y transferencias. Wefunder estará enviando las instrucciones, y nosotros sumaremos información adicional para que el proceso sea bien sencillo. Un abrazo!
- Q: Reuters recently ran an article on the "The Recycling Myth" discussing some of the failures of plastic recycling technologies. 1) Could you note some of the differences between your successful technique and those that have failed (pyrolysis or chemical recycling)? Obviously you are not attempting to separate and recover the different resins, so this cuts out one of the hardest steps that has failed in the past, is that the main difference or are there others. Also of note in the article is the worry about the release of dioxins during the recycling process. 2) Does your process process avoid/mitigate the release of dioxins during recycling?
  - A: Hi William! This is a conversation that could go for hours, but here's my own point of view in a few words: i) Pyrolysis (aka carefully burning it all) had its boom some years ago in Europe, where it was considered the ultimate solution for mixed trash. They were the pioneers installing hundreds of waste to energy facilities across the continent. Issues with this tech: #1 heavy Co2 generator (greenhouse effects), #2 it claims to be clean, but no one wants to live next to one, so they don't find spots close to the cities to settle, #3 It requires a constant and high-quality blend to optimize its performance, something impossible to find in mixed waste. The result: Most plants are currently closing down due to low performance, high ops costs, and people's health issues. ii) Chemical recycling: Sounds very promising but it's still at lab scale and offers no scale. It also requires plastics to be separated as different techniques are used for different polymer chains. It may turn into something big in the future though. iii) Our technique is mechanical, meaning no added chemicals bringing in more contamination and higher processing costs. Our process doesn't liberate any toxins so it can be installed near urban areas. So far is the only option capable of processing mixed plastics at a large scale and low-cost. It's even water-free so no water is discharged or contaminated along the process. It's important to consider different cities have different characteristics, problems, and available solutions. We are still working on the perfect solution for everywhere, but in the meantime, we've got a quite unique value proposition, already tackling the problem. Best, Sebastian
- Q: Hello, i understand that your company gets paid to remove the plastic from the landfills which is great. But who pays yall and is that enough to cover the haul, employees, trucks, etc.? Does it cover it completely?
- Q: hey Sebastian, very cool and interesting company, I see you guys are already selling in home depot. how's the traction with that with home depot? also what's in it for investors would investors have to wait for an acquisition or dividends payouts? thank you
  - A: Hi Benny, We are still polishing our HD online channel as its setup is very tricky. Although the product is already available, there's a lot happening behind the curtains. This should be ready in the next few days and then we'll be pointing our cannons to it, and hopefully seeing it grow as Amazon has. The final goal is getting into the stores. Regarding payback on the investment, the plan is to keep increasing the company's valuation every round as has happened since our first investment in 2015 (with a $285k valuation). We believe re-investing the capital into R&D rather than distributing dividends assures that trend and allows investors to trade their shares at greater values, or wait for an exit, resulting in a much bigger win. 🚀