In Italy, Furf Design Studio and designer Cesar Pieri have created a sailboat concept with a transparent, algae-based bioplastic hull and internal structures and fabrics made from plastic trash collected from the ocean. Dubbed Second Sun, the emphasis on sustainability and transparent elements aims to reinforce the connection between the sailor and the sea. A […]
In the United Kingdom, Reebok and National Geographic have partnered on a collection of plant-based sneakers aimed at raising awareness of endangered species. The Club C 85 Vegan line includes 16 patterns dedicated to various endangered animals, including the Galapagos Penguin, Black Rhino, Eastern Gorilla, Ring-tailed Lemur and Fiji Banded Iguana. The Nano X2 Grow […]
In Ohio, a bioplastic scoliosis brace designed by University of Cincinnati grad student Sangyu Xi has won the US section of the James Dyson Awards. Scoliosis develops during puberty and is marketed by a curved spine. The brace—dubbed Airy—is made from polylactic acid and is designed to have an off-the-shelf fit for teen girls. “I […]
In Singapore, Meatiply has unveiled three lab-grown meat prototypes—smoked duck breast, kampong chicken yakitori, and chicken katsu bites. The prototypes are a mix of lab-grown muscle and fat and plant-based ingredients to better mimic conventional meat’s taste and texture. “We developed a versatile platform that allows us to isolate and cultivate a variety of cells […]
In Australia, Vow has opened one of the world’s largest cultivated meat production facilities. Dubbed Factory 1, the New South Wales facility has the capacity to produce 30 tons of “an extremely delicious” but undisclosed first product annually. “With Factory 1, Vow has quietly become a world leader in cultured meat, we are now operating […]
In Milwaukee, Sensient Technologies Corporation has acquired Endemix Doğal Maddeler A.Ş., a Turkish supplier of natural color and extracts company for food and beverage markets. Endemix works with multinationals in Turkey and exports to customers throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company’s production, research and development, and administrative offices are located near Istanbul. […]
In Malaysia, India and Singapore, a group of researchers has developed a process for converting pineapple leaf fibers into filaments for 3D printing. Combined with polylactic acid, the biodegradable filaments were shown in the journal Polymer Composites to have enhanced mechanical, crystalline, chemical bonding and thermal properties. “In particular, the characterization study reveals that the […]
In Japan, Toray Industries announced it has developed a new variety of Ultrasuede, a material which partially consists of 100% plant-based polyester. The company said Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) will adopt this developed material to the headrest covers in ANA Green Jet from November this year. Ultrasuede nu is a non-woven material for […]
In Finland, Huhtamaki, a global provider of sustainable packaging solutions, announced the launch of ICON packaging, a new paper technology, initially for use for ice cream containers and lids, which enables recycling in communities with paper product recycling programs across the United States. The new solution combines Huhtamaki’s proprietary water-based barrier coating with SFI-certified paperboard […]
In Minnesota, artist David Bowen has created an art installation in which a philodendron sends signals that spur movement in a machete-wielding robotic arm. Dubbed “plant machete,” the wall-mounted work uses an open-source micro-controller connected to the plant that translates electrical signals from plant’s leaves into motion, according to the artist’s website. Using custom software, […]
