In Australia, Baxter Blue has become the latest high-end eyewear company offering compostable, plant-based frames. The company is using biobased acetate, which it says composts in as little as 115 days, or roughly the same amount of time as a coffee cup. The company modestly suggests, however, that its frames are so stylish most consumers […]
In Germany, startup Made of Air says it has developed a bioplastic derived from burnt plant and forestry waste, also known as biochar, that can be used in a broad range of end products. Because the raw materials are plants that sequester carbon dioxide during their growth, the company is claiming its product is carbon-negative—essentially […]
In California, popular outdoor gear brand Patagonia has signed an offtake agreement for a textile fiber made from cotton textile waste. Dubbed Infinna, the circular process is being commercialized by Finland’s Infinited Fiber Company. The process involves breaking down cotton-rich textile waste to cellulose and forming new fibers. “We are humbled by their stamp of […]
In Denmark, a company developing fermentation-based vegan food colorants has raised €6 million (US$7.14 million) in a seed funding round, bringing its total funding to date to €10 million. Chromologics was spun out of the Technical University of Denmark four years ago. The company aims to supplant animal-based food colorants as well as plant-based sources, […]
In Delaware, DuPont Biomaterials has announced a collaboration in which JayaShree Textiles will launch a sustainable fabric collection incorporating DuPont’s renewable Sorona fibers. JayaShree, which is part of the Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, will blend Sorona with linens to create garments with “exceptional stretch and recovery, luxurious drape, and a smooth, soft hand feel.” […]
In Israel, Future Meat Technologies has claimed the world’s first cultured meat factory as well as the emerging industry’s most competitive price point—$3.90 for a lab-grown chicken breast. The new plant at Rehovot has the capacity to produce 1,000 lbs of cultured chicken, pork and lamb daily, roughly the amount of meat gained from raising […]
In India, six women from a fishing community are collecting water hyacinth, an invasive plant species, from Deepor Beel Lake and turning them into yoga mats. They hope the industry will help save the livelihoods those who rely on the Assam lake as well as migratory birds who have difficult finding fish amid the hyacinth-choked […]
In London, sustainable apparel firm PANGAIA is set to launch an activewear line that incorporates numerous renewable materials while at the same time paying homage to the distinct, albeit occasionally regrettable, fashion trends of the 1980s. The “Let’s Get Physical” campaign features 1980s mainstays like legwarmers and brightly colored jumpsuits and bike shorts. The line […]
In Oregon, sneaker giant Nike has introduced a new collection incorporating a pineapple-based leather alternative produced in the Philippines. The Happy Pineapple collection debuted on June 17th and features some of Nike’s most recognizable styles, such as Air Force and Air Max. The material—called Pinatex—is produced by United Kingdom’s Ananas Anam. The material is made […]
In Italy, luxury brand Gucci has launched its first eco-friendly sneaker, featuring animal-free leather developed in-house. Dubbed Demetra, the material was developed at Gucci’s Gruppo Colonna plant in Tuscany. It is 77% plant-based, using viscose, wood pulp and renewable polyurethane. The sneakers also use organic cotton and recycled steel and polyester. The shoes will be […]
