In Maine, Poland Spring has partnered with the University of Maine to develop biobased packaging alternatives for the ubiquitous bottled water brand. The partnership evolved out of a meeting at a May 2019 bioplastics summit at the University of Maine. “Their innovative work is already showing how a Maine-based circular economy is possible, and this […]
In San Francisco, Wildtype is working to grow sushi-grade salmon in a lab amid dangerously depleted ocean populations and factory farming beset with pest problems. The startup gives salmon cells nutrients, sugars, salts, amino acids and growth factor to “grow” salmon tissue in its lab. “This is applicable to other species than the salmon that we […]
In the Netherlands, lab-grown meat start-up Mosa Meat has raised $55 million to boost capacity at its Maastricht plant and obtain regulatory approval in new markets. “In the next 3 years, we aim to scale up to one industrial-sized production line, work with regulators to demonstrate the safety of cultivated meat, and introduce the first […]
In Germany, iconic sports car maker Porsche is expanding its use of natural materials to include body parts made from linseed and balsa wood. Porsche tells autoblog.com that the 718 Cayman GT4 uses natural materials in the front apron, rear apron, front spoiler, front lid, rear lid, mudflaps and air diffuser. Balsa composites hardened with […]
In San Francisco, green sneaker pioneer and household name Allbirds has closed a $100-million financing, which it will use to enter new product categories, amp up sustainable material innovation, support international growth, and add brick-and-mortar stores. “Business can be a force for positive change, and this additional capital will allow us to further our mission […]
In the United Kingdom, Peta U.K. and sustainable fashion brand Stella McCartney have sent Sophia Loren a biobased fur coat for her 86th birthday—with the hopes that the gift will push the actress and glamor icon to “choose compassion” and swear off animal-based fur fashion. The coat was made from KOBA, a biobased faux fur […]
In India, an English professor is working to address the populous country’s plastics waste crisis by turning waste coconut leaves into straws. Saji Varghese, of Christ University in Bengaluru, tells India Times the idea came to him in 2017 when he noticed the shape a fallen coconut leaf on campus took. “I picked it up […]
In Israel, food packaging startup W-Cycle has launched food packaging made from sugarcane waste. Dubbed SupraPulp, the material is compostable yet hardy enough to keep structural integrity when holding greasy, hot food. Targeted for frozen, ready-made meals, SupraPulp can be frozen to -40°C and heated in oven or microwave to 270°C. After use, it can […]
In New Jersey, a mattress manufacturer devoted to using natural materials is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Mark Tremlett and Peter Tindall founded Naturalmat in 2020 and have since grown the business to include mattresses, toppers, headboards, and bedding from renewable materials, including coconut husk and natural latex. The duo were inspired by their love […]
In the Netherlands, a Technical University of Delft researcher has taken the green funeral trend to the next level with a mycelium coffin. Dubbed Living Cocoon, Bob Hendrikx says the mycelium vessel helps compost the body and remove toxins from soil. Each coffin takes a week to grow, and two to three years to break […]
