Category: Chemicals & Materials

Celeb-backed baby care brand picks Texas to make plant-based diapers

Celeb-backed baby care brand picks Texas to make plant-based diapers

December 21, 2020 |

In Texas, Hollywood heavy hitters Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have picked Waco as the site of a new production and distribution facility for their natural baby care company, Hello Bello.  The pair’s product line includes diapers made from plant-based absorbents and sustainably harvested fluff pulp. Wipes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies are also being sold.  […]

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PANGAIA invests in renewable fibers startup

PANGAIA invests in renewable fibers startup

December 21, 2020 |

In London, sustainable apparel firm PANGAIA has invested in Kintra Fibers, a material science company making 100% biobased and compostable yarns. PANGAIA will help Kintra scale its sugar-based resin and yarn production process and develop fabric blends and apparel using Kintra’s technology.  PANGAIA  says Kintra’s resin and yarns can be seamlessly integrated into existing synthetic […]

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Wood is making a construction comeback in Finland

Wood is making a construction comeback in Finland

December 21, 2020 |

In Finland, architects and contractors are looking toward Scandinavia’s vast forests to reduce the carbon intensity of construction.  Business Finland says 80% of detached houses in Finland already have a wooden frame, and many public buildings are also constructed with timber.  The trade group also highlights new, wood-based technologies being explored in Finland. Woodio, for […]

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France ag minister poo-poos cultivated meat, asks Twitter-verse to think of the children

France ag minister poo-poos cultivated meat, asks Twitter-verse to think of the children

December 14, 2020 |

In France, Agricultural Minister Julien Denormandie has seemingly indicated he will not approve cell-based meat for sale. On social media, Denormandie wrote, “Meat comes from life, not from laboratories,” according to FoodNavigator.com. The testy tweet came shortly after Singapore became the first country to okay cell-based meat for consumer sale. Singapore Food Agency approved Eat […]

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Netanyahu endorses cultivated meat, says Israel will become “powerhouse” in the space

Netanyahu endorses cultivated meat, says Israel will become “powerhouse” in the space

December 14, 2020 |

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first world leader to sample cell-based meat—which he subsequently gave rave reviews.  After tasting cultivated steak produced by Rehovot-based Aleph Farms, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the meat was “delicious and guilt-free,” adding that he couldn’t taste the difference between the cultivated version and conventional beef. “I have […]

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Milk rethinker Remilk raises $11.3 million

Milk rethinker Remilk raises $11.3 million

December 14, 2020 |

In Israel, a startup working to produce dairy products using microbial fermentation has raised $11.3 million in a Series A found.  Based in Tel Aviv, Remilk uses microbes to make dairy proteins to enable the production of milk, cheese, yoghurt, and cream without cows. The company plans on using the funds to expand production and […]

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French growth factor startup nabs $3.1 million in seed funding

French growth factor startup nabs $3.1 million in seed funding

December 14, 2020 |

In France, startup Core Biogenesis has raised $3.1 million in seed financing to scale production of growth factors for cultivated meat. Founded earlier this year in the Station F technology incubator in Paris, the company says it will target samples for testing in the first half of 2021.  “These [growth factor] molecules represent 50% to […]

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Kiwi firm wants to build a better mousetrap—Literally

Kiwi firm wants to build a better mousetrap—Literally

December 14, 2020 |

In New Zealand, human pest control products maker Goodnature is working to develop biodegradable rat traps that can be dropped by drone or helicopter.  Slightly bigger than a Keurig coffee capsule, the traps will break down in the environment within a few months, whether it caught a rat or not. The current iteration of the […]

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Consumers want plant-based products, but more education needed

Consumers want plant-based products, but more education needed

December 14, 2020 |

In Washington, DC, a consumer survey by the Plant Based Products Council shows the majority of U.S. consumers are receptive to plant based products and packaging, with 54% viewing them favorably and 59% expressing interest. According to the report, the potential market size for plant-based products is estimated to be over 136 million U.S. consumers. […]

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Silk eyed as petrochemical replacement in soap

Silk eyed as petrochemical replacement in soap

December 14, 2020 |

In New York, researchers at Manhattan College and green chemistry startup Evolved by Nature have demonstrated that pure silk can act as a co-surfactant, making the renewable material a potential replacement for petrochemicals in soap formulations.  The research demonstrated that a natural silk protein produced by Evolved by Nature—trade-named Activated Silk™ 10S—synergized with capryl glucoside […]

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