In Georgia, bioplastic maker Danimer Scientific has announced a merger agreement with Live Oak Acquisition Corp. that will result in Danimer becoming a public company. Danimer Scientific produces polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a 100% biodegradable and renewable plastic that uses canola oil as feedstock. The company currently produces its PHA—trade named Nodax—at an industrial-scale facility in Winchester, […]
In Massachusetts, Dunkin’ has said it is testing the use of bioplastic straws at 250 locations throughout the United States. Formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts, the popular coffee chain says the straws are made of PHA, a bioplastic produced via fermentation from canola oil. “[W]hile the straws have the same look and feel as traditional […]
In Finland, circular fiber firm Infinited Fiber Company is investing in more capacity as it racks up big-name partners like H&M, Patagonia, Wrangler, PVH Corp, and Bestseller. The biotech startup’s technology can convert used textiles or any cellulose-based material such as used cardboard or agricultural waste into a biodegradable soft fiber. Applications include T-shirts, hoodies, […]
In Japan, protein fermentation firm Spiber has entered into a production partnership with US agribusiness giant ADM. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will expand production of Spiber’s Brewed Protein polymers for use in apparel and other consumer products. The collaboration will combine Spiber’s structural protein fermentation technology with ADM’s expertise in […]
In Montreal, biotech firm Hyasynth says it is the first to sell cannabidiol produced by yeast fermentation. The technology eliminates the need for traditional cultivation and extraction and provides more sustainable and consistent cannabidiol. It also takes less than a week to complete, 12 times faster than cannabidiol extraction from cannabis or hemp. “Our head […]
In Maine, Poland Spring has partnered with the University of Maine to develop biobased packaging alternatives for the ubiquitous bottled water brand. The partnership evolved out of a meeting at a May 2019 bioplastics summit at the University of Maine. “Their innovative work is already showing how a Maine-based circular economy is possible, and this […]
In the Netherlands, scale-up PeelPioneers is building Europe’s largest peel processing factory in Den Bosch, the Netherlands. Supermarkets, restaurants and hotels that offer freshly-squeezed orange juice to their customers now have an effective, sustainable way to dispose of their growing pile of peels. Supported by a strong consortium of investors, the new plant triples the […]
In the UK, Arla is getting in gear with its sustainability efforts and transforming cow manure from its farms into vehicle-friendly fuel in a major new trial. Arla’s initiative will mean that for the first time, farmers will send their cows’ poo to a nearby anaerobic digestion plant where it will be broken down into […]
In Ghana, the Ghana News Agency reports that a Chinese entrepreneur is investing $10 million in a cassava-based ethanol plant that should be online in early 2021. The facility that will produce 10,000 metric tons of ethanol annually is expected to create employment for 700 youth, of which 500 will be for farming cassava feedstock. […]
In India, the Economic Times newspaper reports that ethanol production should double by November 2021 at 3.6 billion liters, allowing for blending to reach an all-time high of between 7.5% and 8%. Sugar mills are working to invest in new production as well as expansion projects, with estimates that installed capacity could reach 5.9 billion […]
