In South Carolina, Cambio Roasters is working to make wasteful but wildly popular single coffee pods, known as K cups, more sustainable. The brand first created pods made with just two materials—polypropylene and aluminum—to facilitate recycling. To these efforts it has added packaging for the K cups in biodegradable, molded pulp containers that act as […]
In Michigan, Chemovator, the business incubator and early-stage investor of BASF, has finalized an undisclosed investment in Heartland, a startup developing natural fiber plastic additives. Heartland’s hemp-based materials can be used as additives within plastic compounds. The innovation improves properties with regard to flammability, bonding, dispersion, and bulk density, which are historically associated with processing […]
In California, Dole Packaged Foods has partnered with circular design firm Rais Case and Ananas Anam, creator of pineapple-based textile Piñatex, to tackle pineapple industry waste. On Earth Day, the three companies unveiled a limited-edition Vida Bag made with Piñatex material sourced from Dole Philippines farms. “These types of collaborations like ours with Dole and […]
In Italy, a research project looking to grow cells from chicken feathers into chicken meat has concluded its first phase by generating a batch of cellular material ready for bioreactor scaling. The work is being conducted at University of Trento continue and is led by professors Luciano Conti and Stefano Biressi and researcher Nike Schiavo. […]
In India, IIT Guwahati has developed 3D-printed dummy ballots made of biobased polylactic acid. Commissioned by the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Cell, the ballots are used to familiarize voters, including first-timers and senior citizens, with voting procedures. The PLA ballots are produced using corn starch and are biodegradable. According to a statement on […]
In Switzerland, design school ÉCAL has introduced a new concept in sustainable furniture: ultra-compact cellulose sponge forms, efficiency shipped in flat parcels and expanded into sturdy furnishings once at its destination. Dubbed Under Pressure Solutions, ÉCAL claims the material can expand up to 10x its original size when soaked in water. After this step, users […]
In Maine, the world’s largest 3D printer—capable of printing objects as large as 96 feet long by 32 feet wide by 18 feet high—has been unveiled at University of Maine. The hope is the mammoth printer will boost the ability of the university’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center to 3D print habitable houses using sustainable […]
In Canada, researchers at University of Saskatchewan have made a bioplastic meat wrap out of fava beans that also extends freshness thanks to infusion with antimicrobial agents. Led by Michael Nickerson, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Research Chair in Protein Quality and Utilization, the team says the wrap is also biodegradable. “You could actually take this […]
In Germany, lab consumables giant Eppendorf has launched PCR plates made of biobased polymers. With the introduction of twin.tec Trace Plates, Eppendorf “advances sustainability in lab environments, meeting growing demands for eco-friendly alternatives without sacrificing performance,” according to Biospectrum Asia. The new plates come with 96 wells and are available in translucent clear. PCR, or […]
In Belgium, Syensqo has completed the acquisition of South Korean ceramides specialist JinYoung Bio, a move that expands the Syensqo’s beauty care portfolio. “This acquisition reflects our deep commitment to innovation and our focus on sustainable solutions leveraging the power of biotechnology. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the beauty industry, addressing […]
