In Massachusetts, researchers at Tufts University are demonstrating that cultured meat can be made healthier than conventional meat by genetically engineering cow cells to also produce beta carotene. This was achieved by inserting the carotenoid pathway from golden rice. “Cows don’t have any of the genes for producing beta carotene,” Andrew Stout, Biomedical Engineering PhD […]
In London, popular design publication Dezeen has done a deep dive on renewable leather alternatives as fashion and design markets look to move away from both animal-based leather and non-biodegradable petrochemical products. “Leather and fur have long epitomized luxury in the worlds of fashion, accessories and furniture,” writes Dezeen’s Jennifer Hahn. “But recently, popular opinion […]
In the Netherlands, a running shoe brand has designed a 100% plant-based sneaker, jumping ahead of larger brands that have introduced athletic shoes that are partially biobased or incorporate recycled materials. Zen Running Club says its trainer boasts a midsole made of sugarcane and algae and an outsole comprised of natural rubber. “The sugarcane is […]
In New York, glasses giant Marchon Eyewear says it has partnered with Eastman Chemical to use Eastman’s renewable acetate in its frames. Trade-named Acetate Renew, the material is 60% biobased and 40% recycled content. It also has a lower carbon footprint than conventional, petrochemical acetate. Scrap from Marchon’s manufacturing of the frames—which can be up […]
In the United Kingdom, spa supplier BC Softwear has introduced 100% biodegradable slippers made from coir, a soft, fuzzy fiber obtained from the outer husk of coconuts. The slippers are available in cream cotton or jute and can be recycled or tossed with food waste. Bamford, a luxury spa chain, has already put in an […]
In Finland, researchers at the University of Turku have created a cyanobacteria biofilm that produced ethylene—a major building block of the chemical industry—for more than a month. The team genetically engineered cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to produce ethylene by inserting a gene for ethylene-forming enzyme acquired from Pseudomonas syringae. The only inputs were sunlight […]
In the Netherlands, a student team and an Israel startup have designed and constructed a prototype electric car with numerous biobased elements, including coconut fiber and horsehair seats and a flax chassis. Dubbed Luca, the zero-waste vehicle was designed by TU/ecomotive, a student company at Eindhoven University of Technology, and UBQ, a Tel Aviv-Yafo-based company […]
In Canada, Biokraft has selected Andion Global as a key contractor for construction of the Skogn II LBG production facility. The Skogn II LBG production facility will extend Biokraft’s LBG production capacity at Skogn in Trøndelag, the world’s largest LBG production facility. The biological waste consists of agricultural byproducts including cow manure, fish waste and […]
In Malaysia, due to increasing market demand and to fulfil the government B20 biodiesel mandate for the transport sector, FGV has expanded its bulking facility by adding six new vegetable oil storage tanks. Four of the tanks are located in Pasir Gudang, Johor with 10,400 metric tons capacity completed in August 2020 and two tanks […]
In Ireland, a series of maps released by Teagasc each day from October 19-23 as part of Irish Bioeconomy Week will answer questions including: What is the bioeconomy? Is it relevant to me, my sector, my business, the place where I live or my farm? What is unique about it? How does Ireland compare relative […]
