Author Archive: Rebecca Gendron

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Israeli startup using algae to solve fashion’s environmental woes

Israeli startup using algae to solve fashion’s environmental woes

October 18, 2021 |

In Israel, a startup is converting algae into natural fibers and dyes in an effort to combat the heavy environmental cost of the fashion industry.  Founded in 2016 by fashion industry veteran Renana Krebs, Algaeing sources its algae from Algatech, another Israeli company that uses solar energy, seaweed, and vertical farming techniques to produce algae. […]

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Lab-grown antelope startup looks to address food insecurity

Lab-grown antelope startup looks to address food insecurity

October 18, 2021 |

In South Africa, cultivated meat startup Mogale Meat has a bank of more than 500 cell samples from antelope and cattle that it hopes to commercialize into slaughter-free, low-cost protein.  However, unlike most lab-grown meat companies targeting beef, pork, and poultry, Mogale Meat wants to create an alternative to the game meats common in local […]

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Sustainable sexy time: Biobased materials penetrate adult toy market

Sustainable sexy time: Biobased materials penetrate adult toy market

October 11, 2021 |

In Brooklyn, Vice Media has offered an in-depth review of various adult toys that are trying to create both pleasure and good “vibes” by incorporating renewable materials.  One toy, dubbed Womanizer, uses biolene bioplastic and is fully biodegradable. As for performance, the Womanizer received a rating of four and a half eggplant emojis—losing half an […]

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Former boy bander Zayn Malik partners on biobased sunglass line

Former boy bander Zayn Malik partners on biobased sunglass line

October 11, 2021 |

In the United Kingdom, X-Factor and One Direction alum Zayn Malik has released a sunglass collection with Arnette that features biobased acetate frames.  Dubbed Zayn x Arnette, the collection consists of five “edgy, yet easy to wear styles” with an emphasis on 90s nostalgia.   “I’m very interested in design and the creative elements of […]

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Danish brand debuts 100% biobased sleeping bag

Danish brand debuts 100% biobased sleeping bag

October 11, 2021 |

In Denmark, Grüezi Bag has introduced a compostable sleeping bag made of 100% natural materials.   According to Yanko Design, the bag’s insulation is made from an RDS-certified down and wool material, called DownWool. “In DownWool we combine the good properties of down and wool,” says Grüezi Bag. “All individual parts on the sleeping bag […]

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Mushroom leather hits the catwalk

Mushroom leather hits the catwalk

October 11, 2021 |

In France, Stella McCartney has featured a bag made out of mushroom leather at the recent Paris Fashion Week. The material, trade named Mylo, was produced by Bolt Threads using mushroom root. Stella McCartney, a UK-based design house that has been a leader in sustainable fashion innovation, has previously displayed tops and pants made from Mylo, […]

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Norway mushroom materials startup attracts seed investment

Norway mushroom materials startup attracts seed investment

October 11, 2021 |

In Norway, startup NoMy has raised funds to develop and commercialize fungi-based materials for markets including food, materials, alternative protein and bioplastics.  Founded in 2020 and based in Oslo, NoMy says participants in the undisclosed seed funding include We Are Human, TRK, StartupLab Founders and Firda. The fungi is locally produced using no land or […]

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Jane Goodall, Moby team up for cultivated meat documentary

Jane Goodall, Moby team up for cultivated meat documentary

October 11, 2021 |

In California, primatologist/environmentalist Jane Goodall is narrating a new documentary on cultivated proteins. Called Meat the Future, the film chronicles the technology and market development of Upside Foods, a Berkeley-based foodtech startup targeting cell-based chicken.  The film is directed by Liz Marshall, the voice behind other environmental and animal rights documentaries like The Ghosts in […]

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Ashton Kutcher is the latest celeb to endorse lab-grown meat

Ashton Kutcher is the latest celeb to endorse lab-grown meat

October 11, 2021 |

In Israel, 3D-printed, cultivated meat company MeaTech says it has partnered with actor/model/entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher to accelerate development and commercialization of slaughter-free meat.  Guy Oseary, a talent agent with a client list that includes Madonna and U2, and venture capitalist Effie Epstein are also working with MeaTech.   “We are excited about MeaTech’s innovative technologies, […]

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Cultivated meat tech could solve traditional Chinese medicine’s poaching problem

Cultivated meat tech could solve traditional Chinese medicine’s poaching problem

October 11, 2021 |

In Hong Kong, advances in lab-grown meat development are raising hopes for alternative routes to producing Traditional Chinese Medicines—particularly remedies that have pushed several species to the brink of extinction.  TCM is a $434 billion global market that includes exotic therapies like donkey-hide gelatin for strengthening blood but also more conventional practices like acupuncture and […]

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