Category: Chemicals & Materials

Kibo Energy considers new revenue stream for its South African plant

Kibo Energy considers new revenue stream for its South African plant

January 19, 2023 |

In Ireland, Kibo Energy announced its decision to potentially introduce an additional revenue stream to its 2.7 MW plastic-to-syngas power plant in South Africa. This potential new revenue stream involves the production of synthetic oil from non-recyclable plastic waste in addition to the production of electricity from syngas, which promises significant added benefits to the […]

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Equinor to temporary close its Tjeldbergodden methanol plant

Equinor to temporary close its Tjeldbergodden methanol plant

January 19, 2023 |

In Norway, Reuters reported that Norwegian energy firm Equinor plans to close its Tjeldbergodden methanol plant from the second week of February until the end of April this year with the aim of installing a mercury removal unit. The facility is Europe’s largest methanol plant and currently accounts for around 25% of the continent’s production. […]

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Kraton appoints new VP of Global Operations for its pine chemicals business

Kraton appoints new VP of Global Operations for its pine chemicals business

January 19, 2023 |

In Texas, Kraton Corporation, a producer of specialty polymers and biobased products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, announced that Edgar Baena has been appointed as Vice President of Global Operations for the Pine Chemicals business. Baena will oversee the segment’s global operations strategy and progress toward achieving operational excellence and further improving manufacturing reliability, […]

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Crayola partners on natural glitter sunscreen 

Crayola partners on natural glitter sunscreen 

January 16, 2023 |

In Pennsylvania, Crayola has partnered with a biodegradable glitter maker to produce colorful and sparkly sunscreen for kids.  Partner Sunshine & Glitter, whose glitter is made from wood cellulose and readily biodegrades, says the “brands’ shared values of safety, quality, fun and self-expression” made the partnership a natural alignment. “Crayola is such a legacy brand […]

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Israel’s Balena field tests cinnamon-scented compostable slides

Israel’s Balena field tests cinnamon-scented compostable slides

January 16, 2023 |

In Tel Aviv, material science company Balena hopes to shortly launch 60% biobased, 100% compostable, and cinnamon-scented slide-style sandals.  Made from a proprietary natural elastomer dubbed BioCir, Balena’s slides are made using molds. The cinnamon scent comes from tea waste sourced from Israel. Founder David Roubach tells ISRAEL21c that the slides decompose in industrial composers. […]

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Seashells are having a moment

Seashells are having a moment

January 16, 2023 |

In London, design publication dezeen is highlighting the potential of seashells as starting material for everything from construction to crockery. The shells of sea creatures like lobsters and scallops are comprised mostly of calcium carbonate, which is similar to limestone. Designers looking to incorporate sustainability into their products and repurpose seafood industry waste are leading […]

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Icelandic algae collaboration yields food packaging spray

Icelandic algae collaboration yields food packaging spray

January 16, 2023 |

In Iceland, a supplier of natural astaxanthin from algae is attracting collaborators with ideas on how to use the leftover materials. Currently, Algalif dries microalgae and extracts relevant molecules for use in supplements, while the leftover biomass is used for fertilizer. But Julie Encausse, founder and CEO of bioplastic start-up Marea, is looking to use […]

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Project Eaden raises $2.3 million for meat fiber-spinning technology

Project Eaden raises $2.3 million for meat fiber-spinning technology

January 16, 2023 |

In Germany, food tech startup Project Eaden has added €2.1 million (US$2.3 million) to previously announced seed funding to advance its meat fiber spinning technology.  The additional cash brings the total fundraise to just under $11 million. Based in Berlin, Project Eaden believes its bio fibers can be “spun” onto spools and then bundled to […]

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Mowilex produces air-cleaning paint from seeds and grass

Mowilex produces air-cleaning paint from seeds and grass

January 16, 2023 |

In Indonesia, Mowilex has created a 28% biobased paint that is not only more sustainable to produce, but also converts harmful formaldehyde into water vapor. Called Naturalle, the paint swaps petroleum-based resins with ingredients made from seeds, stalks and grasses sourced from Michigan’s Dow, Inc. “PRIMAL™ RN Biobased Acrylic Emulsion and FORMASHIELD™ Technology from Dow […]

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LanzaTech SPAC heads to shareholder vote

LanzaTech SPAC heads to shareholder vote

January 16, 2023 |

In Chicago, special purpose acquisition company AMCI Acquisition Corp. II has scheduled a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on the proposed business combination with LanzaTech. Founded in 2005, LanzaTech transforms waste carbon into materials such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, packaging, and other products that people use in their daily lives. The vote is […]

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