Category: Chemicals & Materials

Brooklyn start-up makes perfume (almost) out of thin air

Brooklyn start-up makes perfume (almost) out of thin air

October 25, 2021 |

In New York, a startup is using captured carbon dioxide to produce ethanol for a proof-of-concept perfume. Dubbed Air Eau de Parfum, Air Company’s scent includes notes of fig leaf, orange and jasmine. Indistinguishable from traditional perfume, Air Eau de Parfum uses ethanol made from captured carbon dioxide, as opposed to corn-based ethanol that, while […]

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Cali waste firm showcases poop pigment

Cali waste firm showcases poop pigment

October 25, 2021 |

In California, waste management technology firm bioforcetech has unveiled a pigment produced from sewage sludge.  The company displayed the technology at Dutch Design Week,  where its booth featured a sleek black planter made from polylactic acid and its OurCarbon pigment.  bioforcetech said OurCarbon could replace coal-based materials while at the same time diverting materials like […]

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Dutch designer envisions biomaterial skyscrapers

Dutch designer envisions biomaterial skyscrapers

October 25, 2021 |

In the Netherlands, a biomaterials advocate says buildings could be completely made from plant-based products and natural mineral materials.  Lucas DeMan, CEO of Biobased Creations, tells architecture and design publication dezeen materials like hemp, straw, lumber, and mycelium could replace products such as steel and cement that contribute to the construction industry’s poor environmental performance.  […]

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Symrise expands sustainable patchouli sourcing program

Symrise expands sustainable patchouli sourcing program

October 25, 2021 |

In Sumatra, flavors and fragrance giant Symrise and Van Aroma have expanded their sustainable patchouli cultivation program.  The two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PT. Sirukam Lumbung Nagari for the rejuvenation of cultivation in the region. The deal gives Sumatran farmers access to a growing network in the region that includes nearly […]

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Bill Gates invests in cell-based breast milk startup

Bill Gates invests in cell-based breast milk startup

October 25, 2021 |

In North Carolina, Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures has co-led an oversubscribed, $21-million Series A funding for cell-based breast milk startup Biomilq.  Using cellular agriculture techniques, Biomilq successfully produced human breast milk outside of the body earlier this year, and managed to produce important components such as anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fatty acids.  The funding will accelerate […]

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Cell cultured chocolate startup raises $4 million

Cell cultured chocolate startup raises $4 million

October 25, 2021 |

In Davis, a lab-grown chocolate startup has raised $4 million to advance its technology, which is aimed at addressing the negative environmental and labor impacts of traditional cocoa production. Agronomics, a listed company focused on cellular agriculture, led the seed round in California Cultured with an investment of $2.2 million.  California Cultured aims to use […]

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From helmets to hives, designers are flexing fungi’s functionality

From helmets to hives, designers are flexing fungi’s functionality

October 25, 2021 |

In Vancouver, online magazine Yanko Design has done a deep dive on mycelium-based production innovations, which include innovative concepts like helmets and Mars habitats.  The publication’s thorough list illustrates the diverse end markets interested in creating sustainable and biodegradable products from the thread-like roots of mushroom-producing fungi.   For example, a “Grow It Yourself” helmet […]

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I don’t see London or France, thanks to biodegradable underpants

I don’t see London or France, thanks to biodegradable underpants

October 18, 2021 |

In the United Kingdom, Stripe & Stare, a brand focused on pajamas and knickers, has launched a 100% compostable line of underwear.  Dubbed the B Edit, the unmentionables use wood-based Tencel fiber produced by Austria’s Lenzing and elastane sourced from Japan’s Roica.  The underthings are certified compostable by Oeko-Tex and Cradle to Cradle and break […]

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Coldplay announces “sustainable tour” with bamboo stage, electricity-generating floor

Coldplay announces “sustainable tour” with bamboo stage, electricity-generating floor

October 18, 2021 |

In the United Kingdom, popular rock act Coldplay has announced its upcoming tour will emit half the carbon dioxide emissions as its last outing, thanks to measures that include a bamboo stage, biodegradable glitter and renewable energy.  “The planet is facing a climate crisis,” Coldplay says in a statement. “So we’ve spent the last two […]

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Psych! Beet juice concoction tricks mosquitos into drinking poison

Psych! Beet juice concoction tricks mosquitos into drinking poison

October 18, 2021 |

In Sweden, startup Molecular Attraction has developed a plant-based poison concoction that tricks mosquitos into thinking they’re drink blood.  Made from beet juice, the idea was born when Molecular Attraction cofounder and Stockholm University molecular biosciences professor Noushin Emami noticed mosquitos are more attracted to blood containing malaria parasite than uninfected blood. She soon realized […]

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