In California, a 300-unit affordable housing complex called Phoenix is being built by Autodesk Research using mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Developers hope the innovation—dubbed mycotecture–will help decarbonize building and construction, which currently accounts for a about a third of global CO2 emissions. The buildings’ core is comprised of mycelium composite panels with exteriors […]
In Spain, Aimplas is coordinating an effort to convert brewers spent grain leftover from beer production into bioplastics. Dubbed BioSupPack, the project’s goal is to develop sustainable alternatives for packaging for food, cosmetics, and other consumer goods, and also evaluate the feasibility of a recycling process. BSG makes up most of brewing waste and can […]
In Denmark, a bioscience company dedicated to upcycling coffee waste has opened its first biorefinery. Kaffe Bueno’s newly inaugurated facility at Rodovre can upcycle 500 tons of coffee grounds annually. The company’s technology converts the proteins, antioxidants and fats that remain in coffee grounds into personal care ingredients, oils, and fibers. The company tells Beverage […]
In Italy, iGreenGadgets has created biodegradable cell phone cases with embedded seeds in an effort to reduce the waste associated with iPhone or Android upgrades. Made from cornstarch and natural pigments, the iGreen Cover case provides the same level of protection as a traditional case, but at the end of its life can be planted […]
In Antwerp, materials company StoneCycling has turned waste corn cobs into a recyclable, biodegradable, and carbon-neutral wall covering. Aptly called CornWall, the material is produced in collaboration with consulting firm Circular Matters. It is made by heating corn cobs to 150 degrees Celsius using solar power. No fossil fuels are used in the process, and […]
In Brooklyn, a startup developing leather-like materials from mushroom and seafood shell waste has raised $4.15 million in a seed funding round led by founder Uyen Tran. Investors also include Happiness Capital, SOSV, Parley for the Oceans, and MIH Capital. TômTex will use the money to add staff, boost manufacturing at its Brooklyn facility, and […]
In Germany, sporting goods and apparel giant adidas unveiled the official match ball that will be used at next year’s European Football Championship and said the high-tech ball includes several biobased materials. Dubbed FUSSBALLLIEBE, the “ball’s design is inspired by the joy of football and the energy of the tournament, and has been engineered with […]
In New York, a design studio has created a high-end lighting series from wood salvaged in New York City. The studio—aptly named Stickbulb— told design publication dezeen that the wood-paneled light fixtures are mostly made from pin oak, a common Big Apple tree. The material is collected in partnership with the NYC Parks Department and […]
In Seattle, e-commerce behemoth Amazon has partnered with Italian biobased materials producer Novamont to pilot the use of bags made of biobased and biodegradable materials. “In this project, we use biobased raw materials obtained from sources such as starch and vegetable oils, which can be produced sustainably in Europe,” Amazon said. “Customers can place these […]
In the Netherlands, startup Human Material Loop is turning human hair into textiles and has already made prototype coats, sweaters, and blazers that feel similar to wool. The company tells CNN that 72 million kilograms of human hair waste ends up in European landfills annually. This is the equivalent of seven Eiffel Towers. “It’s a […]
