Category: Chemicals & Materials

Amyris acquires Brazilian clean beauty brand

Amyris acquires Brazilian clean beauty brand

March 1, 2021 |

In Brazil, renewable chemicals company Amyris has acquired the clean beauty brand Costa Brazil for an undisclosed sum.  Co-founded by Francisco Costa and Michele Levy in December 2018, Costa Brazil is a clean luxury beauty and wellness brand inspired by Brazil’s biodiversity. Amyris plans to leverage its science platform and fermentation technology to develop and […]

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Canadian researcher develops compostable coffee pod

Canadian researcher develops compostable coffee pod

March 1, 2021 |

In British Columbia, researcher Zachary Hudson has developed a compostable coffee pod made from renewable materials.  The University of British Columbia assistant professor and research chair in sustainable chemistry created the pods over three years in partnership with Nexe Innovations. The pod consists of bamboo fiber capsule, polylactic acid lining, and paper seal. The pods […]

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Tempeh inspires Indonesian mushroom leather startup

Tempeh inspires Indonesian mushroom leather startup

March 1, 2021 |

In Badung, Indonesia, Mycotech Lab is developing technology to produce vegan leather from mycelium. The company was inspired by the process used to make local delicacy tempeh—a fermented protein made from soybeans and fungi that is increasingly popular among vegans in Western regions as well.  After years of research, Mycotech has adapted the tempeh production […]

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Bill Gates has beef with beef

Bill Gates has beef with beef

February 22, 2021 |

Microsoft cofounder and third richest man on the planet Bill Gates has ruffled feathers by suggesting in his latest book that to avoid a climate disaster, developed nations like America must switch to plant-based or lab-grown beef.  Cows are large emitters of methane emissions, and various feed additives to reduce the climate impact of their […]

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Iron Man invests in bioplastic

Iron Man invests in bioplastic

February 22, 2021 |

In Singapore, Iron Man has invested in a bioplastic startup. Robert Downey Jr., who played “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, in the popular Avengers series, participated in RWDC’s recent funding round. To date, RWDC has raised over $168 million to advance its medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) biopolymers.  “We believe the movement against […]

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Fungus among us: Mushrooms finding use in multiple end markets

Fungus among us: Mushrooms finding use in multiple end markets

February 22, 2021 |

E&T Magazine has done a deep dive on the recent efforts to produce sustainable materials from mushrooms, with end markets including packaging, water capture, textiles, and home furnishings.  According to E&T, New York-based Ecovative is developing a range of products, including animal-free leather, a replacement for polystyrene foam and even foam buoys and rafts. Designer […]

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Clog maker takes first step into renewable content

Clog maker takes first step into renewable content

February 22, 2021 |

In Philadelphia, popular lifestyle clog maker Dansko has begun using biobased ethylene vinyl acetate from Brazil’s Braskem. The new Kane footwear line will contain up to 50% biobased content, provide comparable shock absorption to Dansko’s conventional clogs, and feature the company’s Natural Arch technology. The clog will launch this spring at www.dansko.com/kane-blue-eva-clog.  Braskem says its […]

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Cultured meat startup files for IPO

Cultured meat startup files for IPO

February 22, 2021 |

Israeli cultured meat firm Meat-Tech 3D has filed for a $29-million initial public offering in the United States.  Founded in 2018, Meat-Tech 3D is working to develop and commercialize 3D bioprinting of cultured meat. Currently listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the ticker MEAT, the company’s first target is steak. It plans to […]

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Pernod Ricard, parent company of Absolut and Beefeater, reports sustainable packaging milestones

Pernod Ricard, parent company of Absolut and Beefeater, reports sustainable packaging milestones

February 22, 2021 |

In France, liquor leader Pernod Ricard is touting  packaging progress as it looks to deliver on its 2030 Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap.  Pernod Ricard is the world’s second-largest producer of wines and spirits with household-name brands such as Absolut Vodka, Perrier-Jouët and Beefeater and annual sales upwards of €8 billion (US$10 billion). Its sustainability targets […]

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Haute Couture rethinks sequins

Haute Couture rethinks sequins

February 22, 2021 |

In Los Angeles, noted fashion designer Phillip Lim and industrial designer Charlotte McCurdy have created a 100% renewable high fashion dress, complete with bioplastic sequins made from algae.  “Sustainability in fashion is not just about organic, natural or recycled textiles,” McCurdy tells Dezeen. “If we’re going to get to zero on our emissions, we need […]

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