In Australia, biomaterials startup Nanollose Limited is collaborating with California leather alternative firm von Holzhausen. Under the terms of the agreement, Nanollose will provide von Holzhausen with samples of treated and processed microbial cellulose in various forms for testing as potential alternatives to leather or other materials, either in their initial state or after further […]
In Brussels, major chemical maker Solvay has declared renewable materials and biotechnology a major pillar of future growth. The company, which reported $10.6 billion in sales last year and is among Europe’s largest chemical producers, says the platform will build on its already leading position in biobased products that includes guar, solvents, and vanillin. Its […]
In the Netherlands, a pedestrian bridge made of flax fiber, biobased resin, and polyurethane foam has been constructed in the city of Almere. Led by Eindhoven University of Technology, the project is intended to highlight the potential of flax to replace steel in infrastructure. “The EU’s action plan Bio-Economy Strategy stresses the need for a […]
In Florida, startup Okeanos is launching a packaging alternative from calcium carbonate, a naturally occurring material found in rocks, eggshells, and gastropods. Calcium carbonate has long been used as a filler in packaging, but its use has been limited to small percentages due to processing and density issues, both of which Okeanos claims to have […]
In New York, startup Tomtex has raised $1.7 million in pre-seed funding to advance development and commercialization of leather-like materials from mushroom and seafood shell waste. The round was led by SOSV. Nucleus Adventures Capital, C3 Ventures, CRCM Ventures, Gaingels, Portfolia Food and AgTech Fund, Chasing Rainbow Ventures, and Angels also participated, according to Just […]
In Savanah, Georgia, McDonald’s is testing cups made from equal parts recycled materials and biobased plastic made from the company’s own used cooking oil. Twenty-eight franchises in the city will be testing the cups, which they claim are nearly identical to cups made from virgin fossil-based plastics. The pilot is part of the fast food […]
In Denmark, foodtech startup Remilk has announced plans to build the world’s largest cow-free milk plant. The 750,000-square-foot facility will be built in Kalundborg and produce as much protein annually for cheese, yogurt, and ice cream that can be generaterd by 50,000 cows. “We’re making dairy products that are identical to cow-milk products, with the […]
In France, a small hamlet will soon test the use of bioluminescent bacteria to light its streets. Rambouillet, located just a stone’s throw away from “La Ville-Lumière,” will use technology developed by Glowee to deploy the eco-friendly lighting solution. “Our goal is to change the way in which cities use light,” Glowee founder Sandra Rey […]
In Israel, a new cultivated seafood startup has been spun out of a collaboration between publicly traded investment fund BioMeat Foodtech and Volcani Institute, a governmental organization of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture. Dubbed E-FISHient, the company is first targeting Nile tilapia cultivated without the use of animal serum. Nile tilapia is among the most common […]
In Nashville, tires made from natural rubber extracted from a Southwest US desert shrub will make their racing debut at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in August. Dubbed Firestone Firehawk, the material for the tires has been under development by Bridgestone for more than a decade. “The introduction of guayule natural rubber to […]
