Category: Chemicals & Materials

Oscar Mayer launches bologna-esque face mask

Oscar Mayer launches bologna-esque face mask

January 31, 2022 |

In Wisconsin, bologna baron Oscar Mayer has introduced a face mask meant to physically resemble the mortadella mainstay of middle school sandwiches, while moisturizing your skin with wholesome, natural ingredients like witch hazel, seaweed, and collagen.  The masks are not edible, but do invoke nostalgia with red and yellow packaging synonymous with Oscar Mayer bologna. […]

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Peace, love, and biobased sandals: Brand launches styles for Deadheads

Peace, love, and biobased sandals: Brand launches styles for Deadheads

January 31, 2022 |

In California, novelty sandal brand Sanuk has introduced three new styles that incorporate biobased and recycled materials and target fans of the Grateful Dead.   Dubbed SustainaSole™ SANUK x GRATEFUL DEAD, the footwear feature the iconic Steal Your Face Grateful Dead album art, red and blue stitching, and tie-dye design elements. Biobased content includes jute […]

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Cracking idea: UK city trials biobased traffic pillars

Cracking idea: UK city trials biobased traffic pillars

January 31, 2022 |

In the UK, a local city council is installing traffic-control pillars made out of a plant-based biopolymer.  Commonly called bollards, such obstructions are meant to protect pedestrians from contact with vehicles—be it unintentional or otherwise—in high traffic areas.  According to Hampshire County Council, the biobased bollards are lower weight—and thus easier and cheaper to install—than […]

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Delta to debut bamboo cutlery

Delta to debut bamboo cutlery

January 31, 2022 |

In Atlanta, Delta has announced it will use bamboo and other biodegradable items for some single-use in-flight service items, such as cutlery. The new bamboo items will first be used for packaged meals in first class before rolling out to the plebs in the main cabin later this year.  The airline expects the switch, as […]

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Algae-based ski maker looks to share its secretes

Algae-based ski maker looks to share its secretes

January 31, 2022 |

In California, WNDR Alpine Skis has agreed to share its technology for incorporating algae-based materials into its products to help lift the sustainability profile of the entire sport.  WNDR’s skis incorporate algae oil developed by its parent company, Checkerspot, into the core and sidewalls. Checkerspot has also been working with DPS, another ski maker, to […]

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UPM biorefinery at Leuna, Germany delayed

UPM biorefinery at Leuna, Germany delayed

January 31, 2022 |

In Finland, forest-based fuels and chemicals maker UPM said its planned biobased ethylene glycol and propylene glycol plant at Leuna, German will be delayed about year, citing challenges stemming from the pandemic and widespread supply chain disruptions.  “[T]he pandemic has materially slowed down the completion of the detailed engineering in Leuna,” says Jussi Pesonen, UPM […]

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Focused fungi: Ecovative launches Forager subsidiary to serve fashion and automotive markets

Focused fungi: Ecovative launches Forager subsidiary to serve fashion and automotive markets

January 31, 2022 |

In New York, mycelium materials company Ecovative has launched Forager, a division focused on designing, marketing, and manufacturing mycelium-based materials and foams for the fashion and automotive industries. Grown on agricultural byproducts like corn husks, Forager’s pure mycelium materials are fully biodegradable and home compostable. Forager will utilize Ecovative’s AirMycelium™ technology to produce large sheets […]

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TerraVerdae acquires PolyFerm, plans PHA platform expansion

TerraVerdae acquires PolyFerm, plans PHA platform expansion

January 31, 2022 |

In Edmonton, bioplastics maker TerraVerdae Bioworks Inc. has signed a binding letter of intent to acquire 100% of the equity in PolyFerm Canada, a company developing a portfolio of biobased and biodegradable elastomeric polymers known as medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHAs).  The addition of PolyFerm will enhance TerraVerdae’s ability to produce biopolymers and resins for […]

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Ikea denies interest in burger bun couch

Ikea denies interest in burger bun couch

January 24, 2022 |

In Montreal, subversive artist Gab Bois has crafted a couch from burger and hot dog buns meant to resemble the vaguely loaf-like Camaleonda sofa popularized in the early 1970s by designer Mario Bellini.  Bois’s work, dubbed Loafa, went viral after being shared by Estonian rapper Tommy Cash, who claimed IKEA had agreed to produce the […]

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Alert Augustus Gloop, a village made of cacao is planned for Ecuador

Alert Augustus Gloop, a village made of cacao is planned for Ecuador

January 24, 2022 |

In Ecuador, an entire village has been planned using renewable construction materials, including 3-D-printed cacao waste.  Complete with an education and research center and chocolate factory, Cacao Eco Village was conceived by Sydney-based architecture studio Valentino Gareri Atelier at the behest of chocolate manufacturer MUZE Cacao. The village is planned for the seaside town of […]

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