In San Francisco, Prolific Machines has emerged from stealth mode and announced $42 million in funding for its scalable cultivated meat platform. Backers in the “massively oversubscribed” seed and Series A financings include a long list of major foodtech investors and celebrities. The seed round was led by Arvind Gupta at Mayfield, the first investor […]
In Berlin, watchmaker Lilienthal Berlin has designed a watch made from used coffee grounds that it claims retains that invigorating smell for quick aromatherapy pick-me-ups on the go. The timepiece, named Coffee Watch, retails for $349 and is available in colors like Americano and Macchiato. It uses material invented by Kaffeeform, a German company that […]
In France, a startup is converting mussel byssus—the threadlike extensions mussels use to adhere to rocks—into textile fibers. Founded just 13 months ago by Robin Maquet and Florence Baron, Bysco has partnered with the region’s mussel farmers and aims to produce 35,000 square feet of the material within the next two years. Bysco meets demand […]
In France, animal-free dairy protein startup Standing Ovation has closed a an oversubscribed €12 million (US$12 million) Series A financing round, with participation from several leading foodtech VCs. The company will use the cash to accelerate development and scaleup of animal-free casein and cheese substitutes as well as begin the regulatory approval process. The round […]
In Switzerland, food and beverage giant Nestlé will begin piloting production of animal-free dairy proteins at a recently inaugurated R&D Accelerator. Using precision fermentation technology developed by California’s Perfect Day, the proteins are identical to whey found in cow’s milk but are more environmentally friendly to produce. “As the world’s largest food and beverage company, […]
In San Francisco, renewable footwear pioneer Allbirds has expanded its material slate into rice hulls and citrus peels with a new sneaker called Plant Pacer. Available for $135, the vegan leather shoe is made with Mirum, an agricultural waste-based material produced by Natural Fiber Welding, an Illinois-based startup Allbirds invested $2 million in last year. […]
In New Jersey, biobased materials firm Modern Meadow has been named a finalist in three categories of Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards. The company’s Bio-Alloy platform delivers 13 miscible blends of plant-based proteins and biopolymers. The blends provide varying mechanical and thermal properties with a number of commercial applications. Modern Meadow’s BioFabbrica Bio-Tex™, for […]
In the Philippines, a pair of engineering students have won a James Dyson award for a post-mastectomy bra that biodegrades when composted. The bra is named Brakong—a nod to bakong, the fast-growing aquatic plant used with polylactic acid to produce the prosthesis. “We can 3D-scan a patient or create a 3D model out of other […]
In Finland, students at Aalto University have created a textile filling dubbed Fluff Stuff that is made from typha latifolia. Commonly known as broadleaf cattail, the plant grows a distinctive cigar-shaped seed head that can be dried and used to replace carbon-intensive down filling in products like cushions, duvets, jackets, and bags. According to developers […]
In Washington, a major manufacturer of mobile charging tools has introduced USB-C charging cables incorporating biobased materials. Dubbed Anker Eco Product, the outer sheath is made from 40% plant-based materials, including corn and sugarcane. The eco-friendly material replaces petroleum-based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer without sacrificing quality, strength, or durability. “As the global leader in mobile […]
