Tims China and Tencent's CarbonXmade Launch Innovative Eco-friendly Straw Made with Captured CO?
MWN-AI** Summary
On December 3, 2025, Tims China, the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops in China, unveiled an eco-friendly straw at the 2025 Sustainable Social Value Innovation Summit in Beijing. Developed in collaboration with Tencent's CarbonXmade program and Suzhou Kunshen Biodegradable New Material Co., Ltd., the straw utilizes innovative Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) technology to convert industrial CO2 emissions into biodegradable materials. This development underscores Tims China’s commitment to sustainability, encouraging consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.
The biodegradable straws, designed to mimic the feel of traditional PLA straws, contain approximately 3.185 grams of captured CO2 per 100 straws, effectively transforming climate-affecting emissions into a resource that enhances product life cycles. This initiative is part of Tims China’s broader strategy to promote sustainable practices across its operations, following previous efforts like the “Bring Your Own Cup — Save RMB 8” initiative.
The launch event featured a unique "low-carbon fashion show" showcasing creative designs by students and faculty from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. These designs utilized the new straws, emphasizing sustainability through innovative fashion and engagement with the community, as the models included individuals directly involved in the product's development.
Additionally, Tims China has opened a "Green Innovation Lab Store" in Shenzhen, highlighting its ongoing sustainability initiatives, which include a commitment to responsible sourcing through the “Coffee for Communities” program that supports coffee farmers worldwide. Tims China's collaboration with Tencent reflects a growing trend among companies to turn emissions into valuable products, aligning environmental responsibility with consumer choices.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent collaboration between Tims China and Tencent's CarbonXmade program marks a significant step forward in sustainable consumer products, particularly with the launch of the innovative eco-friendly straw made from captured CO?. This product is a testament to Tims China's commitment to sustainability, aligning with broader global trends favoring environmentally responsible practices.
For investors, this initiative emphasizes Tims China's proactive approach to sustainability and innovation, which can enhance brand loyalty and attract eco-conscious consumers. As the straws are launched in metropolitan areas like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, Tims China taps into markets that are increasingly focused on environmental impact, positioning the company favorably amid growing consumer demand for sustainable products.
The technology behind the straws—Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU)—not only reinforces Tims China's environmental credentials but also opens the door for potential cost efficiencies in future production. As awareness and demand for eco-friendly products expand, Tims China's strength in brand recognition combined with innovative sustainability initiatives will likely create competitive advantages in the coffee market.
On the flip side, while the focus on sustainability can drive consumer interest and sales, investors should monitor production costs and regulatory impacts associated with new materials. Initial investments in sustainable initiatives can be high, and it will be crucial for Tims China to effectively manage these costs to maintain profitability.
In the broader context, Tims China's collaboration with Tencent highlights the benefits of strategic partnerships in driving innovation. For current and potential investors, observing Tims China's performance post-launch of these eco-friendly products will be critical. The company's ability to achieve metrics related to sales growth, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency will provide key insights regarding long-term viability and growth potential in a changing market landscape. Thus, close attention to Tims China’s upcoming quarterly results and sustainability metrics is advised.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
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 CO? emissions and converts them into PPC polyols. After chemical modification, these are processed into PPC-TPU, a CO?-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 CO?)
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 CO?—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 CO? 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**
How does TH International Limited's partnership with Tencent's CarbonXmade program enhance its competitive advantage within the growing eco-friendly market, particularly in relation to Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR:CC?
Considering the innovative eco-friendly straw rollout, what are Tims China’s projected environmental impact and consumer response metrics, and how does this tie into broader sustainability goals aligned with Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR:CC?
In what ways does Tims China plan to leverage the success of its low-carbon fashion showcase to further promote its initiatives and engage consumers, in comparison to strategies employed by Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR:CC?
How might the introduction of the carbon-captured straw influence the overall brand perception of Tims China among consumers, especially in relation to the sustainability image of Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR:CC?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about TH International Limited (NASDAQ: THCH).
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