Tims China and Tencent’s CarbonXmade Launch Innovative Eco-friendly Straw Made with Captured CO₂
Rhea-AI Summary
TH International (NASDAQ: THCH) launched an eco-friendly drinking straw on December 3, 2025, developed with Tencent’s CarbonXmade program and Suzhou Kunshen using Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) to convert industrial CO₂ into PPC-TPU biodegradable material.
The straw debuts in stores across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen and was showcased at the 2025 Sustainable Social Value Innovation Summit via a low-carbon fashion show. SGS certification reports every 100 straws contain 3.185 grams of captured CO₂. The company also highlighted its Green Innovation Lab Store and ongoing sustainability initiatives.
Positive
- Rollout to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen starting Dec 3, 2025
- Product uses CCU-derived PPC-TPU biodegradable material
- SGS-certified capture: 3.185 grams CO₂ stored per 100 straws
- Green Innovation Lab Store featuring coffee-ground composite boards
Negative
- Per-unit CO₂ capture is small: 3.185 g per 100 straws
- Initial commercial rollout limited to three cities
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, THCH declined 1.50%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. This price movement removed approximately $1M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $84M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Pre-news, THCH was down 2.76% while key restaurant peers were mixed: STKS down 1.04%, GENK up 1.3%, RRGB up 3.06%, DENN flat, TWNP down 3.7%. This pattern points to stock-specific factors rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 09 | Q3 2025 earnings | Negative | -4.2% | Slight revenue decline, ongoing losses, and new convertible note financing. |
| Dec 03 | Sustainability initiative | Positive | -1.5% | Launch of CCU-based biodegradable straw across major Chinese cities. |
| Nov 11 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | +1.9% | Announcement of Q3 2025 results release date and conference call details. |
| Oct 31 | Convertible notes deal | Neutral | +0.6% | Agreement to issue US$89.9M senior secured convertible notes and amend existing notes. |
| Aug 26 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +3.6% | System sales growth, positive adjusted EBITDA, and loyalty member expansion. |
Recent moves tended to align with fundamental and financing news, while this sustainability-focused announcement coincided with a modest negative reaction.
Over the last six months, THCH has reported mixed earnings, refinancing activity, and brand-building initiatives. Q2 and Q3 2025 results showed revenue pressure but growing system sales and loyalty membership, alongside continued operating losses. In October 2025, the company agreed to issue senior secured convertible notes maturing on September 30, 2029, partly to repurchase earlier notes. Against this backdrop, the December 3, 2025 eco-friendly straw launch highlighted sustainability and innovation rather than near-term financial metrics.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlighted THCH’s sustainability efforts through a CCU-based biodegradable straw, initially rolled out in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, and supported by SGS-certified CO₂ capture of 3.185 grams per 100 straws. It complements initiatives like the "Bring Your Own Cup — Save RMB 8" program and a Green Innovation Lab Store focused on coffee-ground recycling. Set against recent mixed earnings and new convertible note financing, investors may watch how such ESG projects translate into traffic, brand strength, and profitability metrics over time.
Key Terms
carbon capture utilization (CCU) technical
ppc polyols technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BEIJING, Dec. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TH International Limited (NASDAQ: THCH), the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops in China (“Tims China” or the “Company”), today announced the launch of an innovative eco-friendly straw developed together with Tencent’s CarbonXmade program. The product made its debut at the 2025 Sustainable Social Value Innovation Summit (“S Summit”) in Beijing.
Starting today, the new straws will be introduced in Tims stores across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. With this rollout, Tims China aims to encourage consumers to make small, everyday choices that collectively support a more sustainable future.
Turning Emissions into Materials: CCU Technology in Action
Over recent months, Tims China has collaborated with Tencent’s CarbonXmade program and Suzhou Kunshen Biodegradable New Material Co., Ltd. to develop the straw.
The straw is produced using Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) technology, which captures industrial CO₂ emissions and converts them into PPC polyols. After chemical modification, these are processed into PPC-TPU, a CO₂-based biodegradable material. The material is then pelletized and formed—through heating, precision extrusion, and cooling—into straws that meet uniform product standards, including Chinese regulatory requirements.
(Innovative Eco-friendly Straw Made with Captured CO₂)
Importantly, the straws have the same tactile feel as traditional PLA straws and are biodegradable. Certification by global testing provider Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) shows that every 100 straws contain 3.185 grams of captured and stored CO₂—turning what was once a climate burden into material with an improved life-cycle performance.
A Low-Carbon Fashion Showcase
The launch event took the form of a “low-carbon fashion show,” featuring designs created by students and faculty from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute using the novel straws.
The pieces incorporated coffee-inspired brown tones and took cues from flowing dance costumes, using bold fan-shaped structures and abstract geometric elements to express movement. Matching accessories—such as crowns, brooches, chokers, and handbags—also used the straw as a central design feature, demonstrating sustainability through creativity.
(Low-Carbon Fashion Showcase)
Unusually, the models were not dressed by professionals but by team members directly involved in the straw’s development, including engineers from the production line and Tims store workers. Their participation added originality and made them effective ambassadors for the product.
Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability
Tims China continues to proactively pursue its sustainability goals. Following the launch of its “Bring Your Own Cup — Save RMB 8” initiative, the introduction of the carbon-captured straw marks another step forward toward a more sustainable future.
The company has also opened a “Green Innovation Lab Store” in Shenzhen, centered around the concept of coffee-ground recycling. The store uses composite boards made from coffee grounds and straw fibers throughout its seating, wall décor, condiment stations, and booth areas—making circular design a visible part of the retail experience.
Globally, Tim Hortons promotes responsible sourcing through its “Coffee for Communities” program, which provides training and support to coffee farmers to improve livelihoods, enhance sustainability, and elevate coffee quality. By 2023, the program had provided direct support to more than 18,000 farmers (https://www.rbi.com/sustainability/planet/responsible-sourcing/coffee/).
ABOUT TH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
TH International Limited (Nasdaq: THCH) (“Tims China”) is the parent company of the exclusive master franchisees of Tim Hortons coffee shops in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Tims China was founded by Cartesian Capital Group and Tim Hortons Restaurants International, a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International (TSX: QSR) (NYSE: QSR).
The company’s philosophy is rooted in world-class execution and data-driven decision making and centered around true local relevance, continuous innovation, genuine community, and absolute convenience. For more information, please visit https://www.timschina.com.
About Tencent CarbonXmade
Initiated by Tencent’s Sustainable Social Value organization, CarbonXmade program collaborates with leading global industrial technology partners and consumer brands to convert CO₂ emissions into everyday products—turning “waste into value” through carbon capture and utilization technologies. For more information, please visit carbonxmade.com.
Contacts
Investor Relations
IR@timschina.com or gemma.bakx@cartesiangroup.com
Public Relations
patty.yu@timschina.com
Follow @TimHortonsChina
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fcb12cfe-3e49-42c8-b45a-e28af6fb71d5
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2920217-5b84-4ed6-b0cf-781caa46c178
FAQ
What did THCH announce on December 3, 2025 about an eco-friendly straw?
Which cities will THCH introduce the carbon-captured straw in on Dec 3, 2025?
How much CO₂ does THCH’s new straw capture according to SGS certification?
What material is used to make THCH’s new straw launched Dec 3, 2025?
How did THCH showcase the carbon-captured straw at the 2025 summit?
What other sustainability initiatives did THCH highlight alongside the straw launch?
