Category: Chemicals & Materials

Clariant gains full ownership of Brazil natural ingredients firm

Clariant gains full ownership of Brazil natural ingredients firm

August 30, 2021 |

In Brazil, Swiss specialty chemical Clariant has bought out the 70% of shares it did not already own in Beraca, a manufacturer of natural ingredients for the personal care industry, from company’s founders.  Beraca produces natural ingredients for the personal care sector, including inter alia fats, oils and botanicals, which are all collected and extracted […]

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Givaudan partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to scale-up rare ingredients

Givaudan partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to scale-up rare ingredients

August 30, 2021 |

In Boston, Swiss specialty chemicals giant Givaudan has partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks to enable fermentation-based production processes for ingredients that are in demand but only available in minute quantities in nature. Under the terms of the deal, Ginkgo will use its cell programming platform to develop organisms that produce these rare products at high yields. […]

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Pangaia adds two new plant-based fibers to its stable of materials

Pangaia adds two new plant-based fibers to its stable of materials

August 30, 2021 |

In London, sustainability-focused clothing brand Pangaia has added two new biobased fabrics to its collection. Made entirely from agricultural waste, PlntFiber and FrutFiber will help the company replace both synthetic fabrics based on petroleum as well as traditional, but water-intensive, plant-based materials like cotton.  Sixty percent of FrutFiber is bamboo, while the balance is comprised […]

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Lab-grown crab didn’t leave taste testers crabby

Lab-grown crab didn’t leave taste testers crabby

August 30, 2021 |

In Singapore, cultivated meat startup Shiok Meats recently held a tasting event for what it claims is the world’s first cell-based crab meat.  At an August 26th tasting event, samples were available for crab cakes and chili crab, with crab meat grown in a lab from cells extracted from crustacean shells.  The dishes were conceived […]

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Oprah-backed biotech raises $250 million

Oprah-backed biotech raises $250 million

August 23, 2021 |

In California, a company that boasts A-listers Oprah and Katy Perry among its investors has raised $250 million to advance its plant-based, shelf-life-extending produce coatings.  Apeel Sciences recently closed the Series E round, which brought its total funding to over $635 million and values the company at over $2 billion. The company’s Invisipeel is a […]

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Every little bit helps: Bakeries look to swap out plastic bread clips

Every little bit helps: Bakeries look to swap out plastic bread clips

August 23, 2021 |

In New Zealand, two bakeries have announced plans to eliminate plastic bread clips—the ubiquitous doohickeys used to better seal bread packaging and keep loaves fresh—and replace them with a cardboard alternative.  While bread clips are pretty small, the size of the bakeries making the switch adds up to a fairly significant figure in terms of […]

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Stella McCartney introduces sustainable sneaker

Stella McCartney introduces sustainable sneaker

August 23, 2021 |

In London, sustainability-focused fashion house Stella McCartney has created a version of its Eclypse sneaker made entirely from plant-based or recycled materials.  Dubbed Reclypse, the sneaker features a recycled polyester upper, vegan leather panels, lining made from recycled nylon and post-consumer waste, and plant-based soles. The shoes are hand-made in Italy and will be available […]

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LG Chem plans $2.2 billion green materials complex

LG Chem plans $2.2 billion green materials complex

August 23, 2021 |

In South Korea, LG Chem is investing ₩2.6 trillion ($2.2 billion) to build an eco-friendly materials production complex, including manufacturing using biobased raw materials.  The facility at Seosan will include 10 production plants, all set to come online by 2028. Products will include poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate, a material that breaks down in nature via oxygen, […]

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Coffee cookie cups are now available for sustainability-minded soccer fans

Coffee cookie cups are now available for sustainability-minded soccer fans

August 23, 2021 |

In the United Kingdom, fans at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium can cut down on waste while simultaneously addressing their caffeine and sugar cravings.  The stadium, which is host to Premier League’s Manchester United, will begin selling coffee and other hot beverages in cups made out of cookies, beginning this weekend. The cups are made by […]

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The North Face taps Spinnova for wood-based textiles

The North Face taps Spinnova for wood-based textiles

August 23, 2021 |

In Finland, renewable textile firm Spinnova has partnered with The North Face to improve the sustainability profile of outdoor apparel. Spinnova’s fiber is made from wood pulp and boasts lower water and carbon dioxide emissions than other renewable and synthetic textile materials.  “It’s our over-arching goal to build more circular products, constantly develop innovative materials […]

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