In California, synthetic rubber distributor Intertex World Resources, Inc. has signed an agreement to purchase renewable carbon black made from hydrothermal carbon (HTC) produced by Origin Materials. The 100% biobased filler and pigment is made from wood residues at lower carbon emissions and fossil fuels than incumbent materials. The material will be used for tires, […]
In New York, menswear manufacturer Noah is set to launch new wetsuit styles incorporating limestone. The suits are made from Yamamoto #40, a hybrid fabric produced by Japan’s Yamamoto Corporation using neoprene and calcium carbonate sourced from Hawaiian limestone. Yamamoto also uses hydroelectric power and recycles its wastewater, further improving the wetsuits’ sustainability profile. Retailing […]
In France, luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton and Nike have partnered on a sneaker that it is made from 90% recycled and “bio-sourced” materials. Designed by the Virgil Abloh, a celebrated artist who recently died of cancer at the age of 41, the sneaker is available in green, red, and black. “Crafted in the Maison’s […]
In Switzerland, a bioplastic watch jointly developed by luxury watchmaker Omega and its more budget-friendly counterpart Swatch is facing significant shortages due to strong demand. Priced at $250, the eco-friendly MoonSwatch is even harder to find than the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which retails for $13,000 and has been a hit among the well-heeled, according to […]
In the United Kingdom, a music industry sustainability collective says the world’s first bioplastic vinyl record has gone on sale. First announced by Music Declares Emergency and Evolution Music in April, the album is called “No Music on a Dead Planet” and features tracks by Bicep, Angel Olsen, Black Country, New Road and Porridge Radio. […]
In San Diego, biodegradable filter manufacturer Greenbutts says it has been granted a patent for ‘Biodegradable Cigarette Filter Tow and Method of Manufacture,’ which covers its food-grade, fiber-based filters with starch-based binders. Greenbutts’ filter material is a sustainable alternative to the standard filters made of synthesized cellulose acetate and has been shown to degrade in […]
In Sweden, renewable chemicals maker Perstorp has been selected by The European Union Innovation Fund to receive a grant for Project Air, a planned production facility for sustainable methanol at Stenungsund. Project Air, which is a collaboration between Perstorp, Fortum and Uniper, has applied for €97 (US$98.6 million). Total investment in the project expected to […]
In Germany, BASF has launched a new skincare biopolymer made from rice. Dubbed Verdessence RiceTouch, the powder is made from non-GMO rice produced in the European Union. It absorbs oils to provide a mattifying effect to cosmetics with a “smooth and powdery light skin feel.” Stickiness reduction and spreading enhancement are additional benefits, BASF tells […]
In Boston, synthetic biology firm Ginkgo Bioworks and Sumitomo Chemical have announced a partnership to identify biobased ingredients for cosmetics and personal care applications. Sumitomo Chemical will leverage Ginkgo’s codebase and expertise in organism engineering to sustainably produce molecules used in products across a broad range of industries. The target molecule is planned to be […]
In the UK, researchers have created an aquatic snail-inspired biomaterial so strong it could one day serve as a renewable alternative to Kevlar. The breakthrough has its origin in 2015 work characterizing the tooth material of limpets, which has tensile strength even stronger than spider silk. Atomic-level analysis revealed a dense network of chitin fibers […]
