In Switzerland, Dow has launched a new range of propylene glycols featuring lower carbon, biobased and circular feedstocks. The PG is marketed in Europe as using a mass balance approach, which traces the flow of sustainable raw materials through a complex value chain and attributes it based on verifiable bookkeeping. “We recognize demand has increased […]
In Ireland, banana behemoth Dole is using biodegradable produce stickers on bananas sold in northern Europe, making it easier for consumers there to compost. Manufactured by Sinclair, a produce labeling solutions company located in California, the stickers are made of biobased and plastic-free ingredients and certified for use with all fruit and vegetables. “This is […]
In Massachusetts, Long Wharf Supply Co has developed a process to convert oyster shells and polyethylene terephthalate bottles into sweaters. Long Wharf Supply extracts calcium carbonate powder from the shells and processes the powder with pellets from recycled PET. The combination is then extruded into thread that is spun with cotton or lambswool. Roughly speaking, […]
In Spain and the UK, researchers at Polytechnic University of Valencia and University of the West of England have developed a fungi-based coating that could be a multifunctional sensor for electronics. They also demonstrated the potential of the material to act as living, cybernetic “skin” by making a Terminator-style robot mockup. “There’s this scene in […]
In Finland, biomaterials producer Stora Enso has advanced restructuring actions aimed at strengthening its long-term competitiveness and creating a “decentralized and more customer centric operating model.” Actions include approximately 1,150 job cuts, with about 710 negotiated so far, and closure of a pulp and paper unit at Sunila, Finland. The Sunila site has an annual […]
In Pennsylvania, a team of researchers has developed a biodegradable test for COVID-19 in the hopes of reducing the large amount of plastics waste associated with at-home testing. Developed in the lab of César de la Fuente, Presidential Assistant Professor in bioengineering, microbiology, and psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania, the test employs bacterial cellulose and […]
In Israel, cultivated chicken produced by SuperMeat has been granted kosher status by Orthodox Union Kosher, marking the first such certification for lab-grown meat. Jewish law forbids consuming any part of a living animal, and lab-grown meat is derived from the stem cells of living animals. However, SuperMeat’s poultry uses stem cells from eggs, which […]
In Barcelona, Manel Echevarria has taken the reins at Ananas Anam and plans to guide the vegan leather maker to new growth avenues in fashion, interior design, and automotive. Ananas Anam produces a leather alternative (Piñatex) and fiber (Piñayarn) from pineapple industry waste. The company has collaborated with Nike, Hugo Boss, H&M, Paul Smith, Ecoalf, […]
In Houston, process technology provider Lummus Technology and biotech firm RWDC Industries have signed a binding Joint Development and Commercial Cooperation Agreement to expand manufacturing and global licensing of polyhydroxyalkanoates bioplastics. RWDC uses plant-based oils, including post-consumer or waste cooking oils, to produce its proprietary Solon™ PHA, which can be organically recycled or composted in […]
In Manhattan, a branding expert whose resume includes big-name clients like Netflix and Apple claims to have come up with 400 new names for cultivated meat, a category that is struggling to find resonance with consumers. The long list comes as cultivated meat producers begin to submit their products for regulatory approval and begin to […]
