In Scotland, researchers are evaluating how to promote circularity in the region’s most famous export—whiskey. The Whisky Project, led by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, includes Horizon Proteins, MiAlgae, and BioPower Technologies working to maximize value from whisky coproducts like draff and pot ale. All three companies already leverage whisky byproducts: Horizon Proteins extracts proteins […]
In Texas, researchers at A&M University have deployed the bacterium Zobellella denitrificans ZD1 to convert sewage sludge into the biodegradable plastic polyhydroxybutyrate. PHA is known to be produced by several bacterial species as a supplemental energy reserve in carbon-rich environments with limited nitrogen, phosphorous, or oxygen. Cost issues associated with bacterial production of bioplastics have […]
In Texas, Hollywood heavy hitters Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have picked Waco as the site of a new production and distribution facility for their natural baby care company, Hello Bello. The pair’s product line includes diapers made from plant-based absorbents and sustainably harvested fluff pulp. Wipes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies are also being sold. […]
In London, sustainable apparel firm PANGAIA has invested in Kintra Fibers, a material science company making 100% biobased and compostable yarns. PANGAIA will help Kintra scale its sugar-based resin and yarn production process and develop fabric blends and apparel using Kintra’s technology. PANGAIA says Kintra’s resin and yarns can be seamlessly integrated into existing synthetic […]
In Finland, architects and contractors are looking toward Scandinavia’s vast forests to reduce the carbon intensity of construction. Business Finland says 80% of detached houses in Finland already have a wooden frame, and many public buildings are also constructed with timber. The trade group also highlights new, wood-based technologies being explored in Finland. Woodio, for […]
In France, Agricultural Minister Julien Denormandie has seemingly indicated he will not approve cell-based meat for sale. On social media, Denormandie wrote, “Meat comes from life, not from laboratories,” according to FoodNavigator.com. The testy tweet came shortly after Singapore became the first country to okay cell-based meat for consumer sale. Singapore Food Agency approved Eat […]
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first world leader to sample cell-based meat—which he subsequently gave rave reviews. After tasting cultivated steak produced by Rehovot-based Aleph Farms, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the meat was “delicious and guilt-free,” adding that he couldn’t taste the difference between the cultivated version and conventional beef. “I have […]
In Israel, a startup working to produce dairy products using microbial fermentation has raised $11.3 million in a Series A found. Based in Tel Aviv, Remilk uses microbes to make dairy proteins to enable the production of milk, cheese, yoghurt, and cream without cows. The company plans on using the funds to expand production and […]
In France, startup Core Biogenesis has raised $3.1 million in seed financing to scale production of growth factors for cultivated meat. Founded earlier this year in the Station F technology incubator in Paris, the company says it will target samples for testing in the first half of 2021. “These [growth factor] molecules represent 50% to […]
In New Zealand, human pest control products maker Goodnature is working to develop biodegradable rat traps that can be dropped by drone or helicopter. Slightly bigger than a Keurig coffee capsule, the traps will break down in the environment within a few months, whether it caught a rat or not. The current iteration of the […]
