Category: Chemicals & Materials

Biobased kettle and toaster available in Australia

Biobased kettle and toaster available in Australia

October 3, 2022 |

In Australia, bioplastics kettles and toasters produced by Philips Domestic Appliances are now available at local appliance retailer Bing Lee.  Priced at $129 each, the Eco Collection uses plant oil waste in its bioplastic casings. Purchase will also trigger a tree planted in the Philippines under an agreement between Philips and EcoMatcher.  “We are seeing […]

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Turkish designer creates soap packaging from artichoke and peapod waste

Turkish designer creates soap packaging from artichoke and peapod waste

October 3, 2022 |

In Turkey, a designer has created packaging for soap using a biodegradable material comprised of artichoke leaves and peapods.  Alara Ertenü tells designboom the material, which she named Packioli, helps repurpose artichoke waste, which comprises 80% of the crop in many cases. She adds Packioli is water resistant, meets the hygiene and durability needs of […]

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Tanners want more biobased chemistries

Tanners want more biobased chemistries

October 3, 2022 |

In London, an annual survey of tanners conducted by International Leather Maker has revealed overwhelming interest in biobased carbon content for tanning chemicals.  According to the results, 84% of tanners are or will be actively looking to source leather chemicals with 100% or partially biobased content.  “This confirms recent trends and launches by a number […]

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The LYCRA Company taps Cargill JV for biobased spandex precursor

The LYCRA Company taps Cargill JV for biobased spandex precursor

October 3, 2022 |

In Delaware, The LYCRA Company has signed an agreement with Qore® LLC to enable large-scale production of bio-derived spandex.  Under the terms of the deal, The LYCRA Company will purchase biobased 1,4-butanediol produced by Qore®, a joint venture held by Cargill and HELM, for use in producing 70% renewable Lycra fiber. The new feedstock will […]

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Kao joins Genomatica and Unilever in pursuit of palm oil alternative

Kao joins Genomatica and Unilever in pursuit of palm oil alternative

October 3, 2022 |

In Tokyo, consumer goods company Kao Corporation has joined a $120-million palm oil alternative venture launched earlier this year by Unilever and biobased chemicals producer Genomatica.  The collaboration aims to commercialize an alternative to palm kernel oil being scaled by Genomatica. PKO is a precursor to multiple products in the home and personal care markets, […]

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FSI and Lygos cancel merger

FSI and Lygos cancel merger

October 3, 2022 |

In Alberta, Canada, Flexible Solutions International, Inc. has announced the termination of its planned merger with Lygos Inc.  FSI did not offer an explanation but did say in a press statement that the two companies “remain committed” to finding routes to sustainable aspartic acid and the myriad sustainable and biodegradable products that can be made […]

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Bio-Vogue: Shrimp and mushroom waste hit the NY Fashion Week runway

Bio-Vogue: Shrimp and mushroom waste hit the NY Fashion Week runway

October 3, 2022 |

In New York, designer Peter Do included clothing made from shrimp and mushroom waste in his Spring Summer 2023 collection’s Fashion Week debut.   The material—sourced from TômTex—was used in “glossy wide-leg trousers and rounded-neck tank tops, with one look featuring camel hues and the other a black finish,” according to design publication dezeen.  TômTex’s material […]

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Upgrade your cocktail experience with… cabbage?

Upgrade your cocktail experience with… cabbage?

September 26, 2022 |

In Israel, a “marketing tech” machine that deposits colorful designs on cocktails—think latte art, but boozy—can now use entirely plant-based pods.  Manufactured by Ripples, a “bev-top media” category leader, the ability to print logos or designs on drinks is meant to target the ‘did-it-for-the-Gram [Instagram]’ demographic. Or, as Ripples puts it, “is designed to help […]

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Fruity Booty Launches Beech Tree Pulp Unmentionables

Fruity Booty Launches Beech Tree Pulp Unmentionables

September 26, 2022 |

In London, intimates apparel brand Fruity Booty has released a collection of underwear using modal, a material partially made from beech tree pulp.  Dubbed Bodywear, the collection includes seamless bras, thongs, and shorts.  “We chose to branch out into seamless because we wanted to create a collection for our customers which was solely focused on […]

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Calyxt Exploring Strategic Alternatives

Calyxt Exploring Strategic Alternatives

September 26, 2022 |

In Minnesota, synthetic biology company Calyxt says it is “evaluating potential strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value,” including financing alternatives, merger, reverse merger, other business combinations, sale of assets, licensing, or other transactions.  Calyxt uses its proprietary PlantSpring™ technology platform to engineer plant metabolism to produce high-value, plant-based chemistries for use in customers’ materials and […]

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