In Sumatra, flavors and fragrance giant Symrise and Van Aroma have expanded their sustainable patchouli cultivation program. The two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PT. Sirukam Lumbung Nagari for the rejuvenation of cultivation in the region. The deal gives Sumatran farmers access to a growing network in the region that includes nearly […]
In North Carolina, Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures has co-led an oversubscribed, $21-million Series A funding for cell-based breast milk startup Biomilq. Using cellular agriculture techniques, Biomilq successfully produced human breast milk outside of the body earlier this year, and managed to produce important components such as anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fatty acids. The funding will accelerate […]
In Davis, a lab-grown chocolate startup has raised $4 million to advance its technology, which is aimed at addressing the negative environmental and labor impacts of traditional cocoa production. Agronomics, a listed company focused on cellular agriculture, led the seed round in California Cultured with an investment of $2.2 million. California Cultured aims to use […]
In Vancouver, online magazine Yanko Design has done a deep dive on mycelium-based production innovations, which include innovative concepts like helmets and Mars habitats. The publication’s thorough list illustrates the diverse end markets interested in creating sustainable and biodegradable products from the thread-like roots of mushroom-producing fungi. For example, a “Grow It Yourself” helmet […]
In the United Kingdom, Stripe & Stare, a brand focused on pajamas and knickers, has launched a 100% compostable line of underwear. Dubbed the B Edit, the unmentionables use wood-based Tencel fiber produced by Austria’s Lenzing and elastane sourced from Japan’s Roica. The underthings are certified compostable by Oeko-Tex and Cradle to Cradle and break […]
In the United Kingdom, popular rock act Coldplay has announced its upcoming tour will emit half the carbon dioxide emissions as its last outing, thanks to measures that include a bamboo stage, biodegradable glitter and renewable energy. “The planet is facing a climate crisis,” Coldplay says in a statement. “So we’ve spent the last two […]
In Sweden, startup Molecular Attraction has developed a plant-based poison concoction that tricks mosquitos into thinking they’re drink blood. Made from beet juice, the idea was born when Molecular Attraction cofounder and Stockholm University molecular biosciences professor Noushin Emami noticed mosquitos are more attracted to blood containing malaria parasite than uninfected blood. She soon realized […]
In California, a new credit card will help combat the climate crisis by planting a tree every time you shop. With every purchase on the Aspiration Zero card, issuer Aspiration will plant a tree and also give users the option to plant a second tree by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar. The […]
In Toronto, a designer has launched a Kickstarter to fund production of a biodegradable shoe that, if buried, can be grown into an apple tree. Luc Houle, 33, calls the shoe Johnny—a nod to Johnny Appleseed, who introduced apples to North America in the 1800s. Houle spent seven years designing Johnny from biodegradable materials with […]
In the United Kingdom, research is underway to convert seafood waste into adipic acid, a precursor material for nylon. The consortium includes researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, seafood producer Farne Salmon, and Impact Solutions, an independent plastics laboratory in Scotland. The group has genetically modified bacteria to convert the fatty […]
