In Tokyo, Yokogawa Electric Corporation has launched Yokogawa Bio Frontier Inc. to develop businesses related to the production and sales of biomass materials, as well as associated licensing and consulting activities. Yokogawa Bio Frontier will focus on developing and commercializing value-added, plant-based biomass materials, such as nanocellulose and lignin monomer, that can be used to […]
In Uganda, researchers at the Makerere University in Kampala have developed a biobased packaging from maize stover that could be used to prevent spoilage of fruits and vegetables. Dubbed Stoverpack and developed in collaboration with scientists at Bangor University’s BioComposites Centre, the new material could also boost incomes for Uganda’s rural farmers, most of whom […]
In San Francisco, mycelium-based leather company MycoWorks has partnered with French luxury goods maker Hermès to advance a new material. Dubbed Sylvania, the new material is used in Hermès popular Victoria bag. The material employs MycoWorks new Fine Mycelium process, which enhances the mycelium as it grows. “We could not imagine a better partner than […]
In California, popular fuzzy boot maker UGG has launched a collection of shoes incorporating materials made from sugarcane and wood. Dubbed Plant Power, the collection includes three styles. The Fluff Sugar Platform and Fluff Sugar Sandal shoes maintain Ugg’s fluffy interior using TENCEL Lyocell, a material produced by Austria’s Lenzing from sustainably harvested trees. The […]
In the Netherlands, graphic designer Marianne de Groot-Pons has created biodegradable face masks with embedded seeds to help address the mountain of waste being generated by personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her company, Marie Bee Bloom, produces the masks from rice paper and fills each with meadow flower seeds. If the masks are […]
In Philadelphia, the world’s first biodegrable pregnancy test is now available for sale. Developed by healthcare company Lia, the test is made from paper, is flushable, and biodegrades in just 10 weeks. It is also over 99% accurate, in line with plastic competitors. Like other tests, Lia measures urine for a hormone produced when fertilization […]
In Luxembourg, a company has launched a fully home compostable coffee pod compatible with the popular Nespresso machines. Dubbed Capsul’in Pro, the Zero Impact coffee capsule is made from biobased materials and has an oxygen barrier sufficient to maintain your cup of joe’s flavor and eye-opening aroma. The pods break down in a home compost […]
In the Netherlands, Corbion has announced a series of global investments in lactic acid and lactic-acid derivatives capacity. Capacity increases are planned for the company’s sites in Gorinchem, Netherlands; Rayong, Thailand; Campos, Brazil; and Montmeló, Spain. The company had previously announced a capacity addition at Blair, Nebraska as well. All the investments combined will add […]
In Slovenia, a company creatively called Juicy Marbles claims to have achieved plant-based filet mignon with its Meat-o-matic Reverse Grinder 9000. The patent-pending device is able to “mimic the muscle texture and marbling of meat by aligning and layering fibers from the bottom up with all-natural ingredients” such as soy proteins. “The biggest challenge was […]
In Germany, chemicals giant BASF has entered into two partnerships in the biobased surfactants space. A strategic alliance with biomass-based surfactants producer Allied Carbon Solutions Co., Ltd (Japan) includes an exclusive technology cooperation, commercial agreement and product development for sophorolipids, one class of glycolipids. The deal includes an unspecified equity stake that makes BASF its […]
