Category: Chemicals & Materials

Fungi funds: Ecovative raises $30 million for mushroom-based products

Fungi funds: Ecovative raises $30 million for mushroom-based products

June 12, 2023 |

In New York, mycelium materials company Ecovative Design has raised $30 million in a Series E financing. Half of the funds will be used by its plant-based foods subsidiary, MyForest Foods Co., and the other half will support Ecovative’s plans to scale its Forager business into a world-class supplier of sustainable textile and foam products. […]

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Braskem parent receives controlling stake offer from Unipar

Braskem parent receives controlling stake offer from Unipar

June 12, 2023 |

In Brazil, Reuters reports that Unipar Carbocloro has made a non-binding offer to conglomerate Novonor to acquire a controlling stake in Braskem. Citing a securities filing, Reuters notes that the Unipar proposal also includes the possibility of Novonor continuing to hold an indirect minority stake in the petrochemical firm. Participation by Petrobras, which holds 47.0% […]

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BASF to expand biobased alkyl polyglucosides capacity

BASF to expand biobased alkyl polyglucosides capacity

June 12, 2023 |

In Germany, chemicals giant BASF has announced plans to expand capacity for biobased alkyl polyglucosides in Bangpakong, Thailand and Cincinnati, OH.  APGs are secondary surfactants derived from 100% renewable feedstocks. The non-ionic surfactants are widely used in different applications within personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, industrial formulations and agriculture markets. “Both our […]

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Derek Jeter invests in Meati Foods

Derek Jeter invests in Meati Foods

June 12, 2023 |

In Colorado, baseball legend Derek Jeter has invested in alternative protein company Meati Foods and joined the company as an advisor. Based in Boulder, Meati products use mushroom root and are available at Sprouts markets nationwide as well as restaurants like PLNT Burger. “When it came to considering an investment in this industry, I had […]

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NGO: Aubrey Plaza “Wood Milk” campaign from USDA violates federal law

NGO: Aubrey Plaza “Wood Milk” campaign from USDA violates federal law

June 5, 2023 |

In Washington, DC, health advocacy nonprofit Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine is alleging a new ad campaign from the USDA violates laws forbidding federal agricultural promotions from depicting products in a negative light. The ad from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service features The White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza mocking plant-based milk by promoting the clearly fake […]

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Sustainable spirits: Absolut Vodka unveils latest paper bottle

Sustainable spirits: Absolut Vodka unveils latest paper bottle

June 5, 2023 |

In Sweden, popular spirits producer Absolut Vodka has unveiled the latest iteration of its paper bottle design as it makes progress toward its goal of 100% biobased packaging. The latest version is 57% paper with a plastic lining. It was developed as part of the Pabobco bottle initiative, which also includes brands such as Coca-Cola […]

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H&M invests in biobased resin and yarn maker Kintra Fibers

H&M invests in biobased resin and yarn maker Kintra Fibers

June 5, 2023 |

In Sweden, fast fashion giant H&M group has led an investment round in New York biobased materials startup Kintra Fibers. Kintra’s material is designed to address the environmental impact caused by traditional polyester. The funds will allow Kintra to expand its resin and yarn production capacities and better support its frontier brand partners, which include […]

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Bulgaria’s Cupffee wants you to eat your coffee cup

Bulgaria’s Cupffee wants you to eat your coffee cup

June 5, 2023 |

In Bulgaria, a “sustainable edibles” startup aims to reduce the mountains of waste generated by takeaway cups of coffee. Dubbed Cupffee, the company has developed a material from oat bran, wheat flour, sugar and oil that will not leak and can be eaten once you’ve fulfilled your morning caffeine fix. “[Cupffee] remains crunchy for 40 […]

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WNDR Alpine launches algae-based activewear line

WNDR Alpine launches algae-based activewear line

June 5, 2023 |

In Utah, ski and snowboard manufacturer WNDR Alpine has launched an activewear line made from algae. Called the Phase Series, the clothing comes after WNDR—a subsidiary of biotech firm Checkerspot—found success manufacturing skis and snowboards with cores made from AlgalTech®, Checkerspot’s proprietary microalgae-derived, high-performance material. The apparel is produced using miDori® bioWick WA, a wicking, […]

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PANGAIA uses Hyosung biobased spandex for activewear

PANGAIA uses Hyosung biobased spandex for activewear

June 5, 2023 |

In New York, athleisure brand PANGAIA has expanded its collection of plant-based activewear using biobased spandex from Hyosung. Dubbed Motion, the collection is made with 99.99% plant-based EVO® Nylon and 30% plant-based creora® spandex produced by the South Korean chemicals company. For men, the collection include Mesh T-shirt, Zipped Long Sleeve Top and Tights in […]

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