In Oman, students at University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat have developed biodegradable fishing line from Prosopis juliflora tree, an invasive species more commonly known as mesquite or marine Ghaf. They also founded a startup, called Hyaal, to scale up and commercialize the fishing line. “The idea came with the aim of creating […]
In Missouri, The National Corn Growers Association has launched the fourth iteration of its Consider Corn Challenge—an open-innovation contest that invites participants to “answer the call” and submit proposals for new uses of field corn as a primary feedstock for chemicals and products. “As corn farmers continue to press forward with advanced technology that allows […]
In Germany, cable and wire manufacturer LAPP is using biobased plastic produced by chemicals giant BASF in cable sheathing. LAPP will be showcasing the ETHERLINE® FD P Cat.5e for Industrial Ethernet, which it claims to be the first ethernet cable to use bioplastic, at the upcoming Hannover Messe industrial tech expo. “Using plastics from rapidly […]
In Georgia, bioplastic makers Danimer Scientific and TotalEnergies Corbion say they have developed a compostable material for single-use coffee pods that complies with proposed EU packaging regulations for the ubiquitous—but unfortunately problematic—product category. Danimer and TotalEnergies Corbion’s new formulation contains a blend of Danimer’s polyhydroxyalkanoate Nodax® and TotalEnergies Corbion’s Luminy® High Heat polylactic acid materials. […]
In Houston, process technologies provider Lummus Technology and bioplastics company RWDC Indus-tries have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand availability of polyhydroxyalkanoates via global licensing opportunities. “Our focus is to make environmentally safe and highly functional biobased materials available globally,” RWDC CEO Dr. Daniel Carraway said in a press statement. “Our partnership with Lummus […]
In Belgium, cultivated meat startup Paleo is considering legal action over a competitor’s lab-grown mammoth meat claims. Australia’s Vow recently made international headlines for producing a meatball using cells from wooly mammoths preserved in permafrost. Vow claims to be the first company to have done so, but Paleo tells Sifted it got there first, having […]
In San Francisco, grammy award winner Christina Aguilera has co-founded a plant-based personal lubricant brand named Playground. The company actually launched last year, but gained press in recent weeks after naming the 90s pop icon and “What a Girl Wants” singer its Chief Brand Advisor. “I continue to encourage women to feel empowered while owning […]
In San Diego, plant-based cigarette filter company Greenbutts reports it will be featured in an upcoming episode of Viewpoint, a long-running educational documentary series hosted by The Parent Trap and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra star Dennis Quaid. The episode raises awareness of cigarette filters being the most littered single-use plastic in the world. […]
In Kentucky, Fruit of the Loom has partnered with Austrian wood-based textiles maker Lenzing Group to introduce a new line of men’s underpants. Dubbed Fruitful Threads Men’s Underwear Collection, the line is produced using 96% Lenzing Ecovero Viscose fibers. The line’s launch was timed to coincide with Earth Day. Lenzing Ecovero fibers are made from […]
In New York, payment processor Mastercard aims to replace polyvinyl chloride credit cards with recycled PVC, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or bioplastic polylactic acid versions within three years. All new cards issued after January 1, 2028—including those from issuing partners—will be made from one of these alternatives. “Mastercard is committed to advancing climate action and reducing […]
