In San Francisco, a mycelium-based earplugs company is finding favor from music industry heavyweights like Billie Eilish and The Lumineers. Named GOB, the company sources mycelium foam from New York’s Ecovative. GOB’s first product—a single-use earplug dubbed DFC-001—degrades in just weeks if they find their way into the environment. “It’s hugely important that we support […]
In Maine, scientists from the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, an indigenous tribe located in Northern Maine, have found that hemp can remove notorious forever chemical PFAS from soil. Chelli Stanley and the tribe’s Vice Chief, Richard Silliboy, found that hemp’s thick roots absorbed the chemicals into their shoots. The plants grew quickly and without much […]
In Florida, Methes Energies International Ltd. has introduced biodegradable bar and chain oil made with biobased feedstocks. Branded b2 biOil, the chainsaw oil is formulated for use with all makes and models of chainsaws in the harshest weather condition. The oil is made with domestically harvested vegetable oils (90-95%) and exhibits “excellent flow characteristics and […]
In the United Kingdom, Starbucks is testing fiber-based cold cups designed and produced by Finnish packaging specialist Huhtamaki. According to Packaging World, the trial is being conducted across selected Starbucks stores in the U.K. The single-use cups are made from fiber-based materials and feature a compostable barrier coating, offering an alternative to the conventional plastic-lined […]
In France, Arkema has announced a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of its biobased nylon 11 grades, now at 1.3 kg CO2e/kg—an 80% decrease compared to traditional fossil-based nylon. Arkema attributes the reduction to increased use of renewable electricity and enhanced energy efficiency at its production sites. The milestone follows a previous 46% reduction […]
In Texas, Orion S.A. has launched a carbon black for printing applications that is derived entirely from biobased or circular feedstocks. PRINTEX® Nature 35 has equivalent performance to the company’s PRINTEX® 35 line and is suitable for food packaging, books, catalogs, brochures, and other printed materials. The carbon black is produced at Orion’s European sites […]
In the Netherlands, biobased chemicals and plastics producer Avantium has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Contact Notification approval for its polyethylene furanoate in food contact articles. The approval allows Avantium’s food contact grade PEF to be used as packaging for all food types in the United States, including items stored at room temperature, […]
In Italy, a project to convert brewers’ waste into high-value bioplastics has begun its work. Funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking HORIZON program, the POLYMEER initiative aims to valorize brewers’ spent grain, a brewery waste rich in fiber and protein, into new biobased polymers, copolymers and polymer blends for agriculture films, automotive industry […]
In Japan, architecture and construction firm Takenaka Corporation will unveil temporary, 3D-printed structures made from plant-based resin that will turn into forests once their usable life is over. Straight-forwardly called Architecture that Becomes a Forest, the project is being displayed at the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka. As part of the interactive experience, children will be […]
In Germany, Evonik and BASF have announced the first delivery of BASF’s ammonia BMBcert grade, marking a pivotal collaboration aimed at reducing the product carbon footprint. The biomass-balanced ammonia boasts a 65% reduction in PCF compared to conventional alternatives. Evonik plans to incorporate the sustainable ammonia into its eCO product range, including VESTAMIN® IPD eCO […]
