Category: Chemicals & Materials

Symrise plans natural food coloring sale

Symrise plans natural food coloring sale

June 21, 2021 |

In Germany, specialty chemicals giant Symrise AG has received an offer from Chr. Hansen Natural Colors A/S, now known as Oterra, to acquire its natural food coloring activities for an undisclosed sum. Symrise says it welcomes the offer, having decided to focus its flavor and nutrition segment on core business.   “[The deal] supports our goal […]

Read More

Biocement looks to solve infrastructure’s massive carbon problem

Biocement looks to solve infrastructure’s massive carbon problem

June 21, 2021 |

In North Carolina, startup Biomason is making tiles and bricks out of bacteria to provide an alternative to cement, which is responsible for large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.  Cofounder and CEO Ginger Krieg Dosier tells Forbes that if cement were a country, it would be the world’s third largest emitter, behind China and the […]

Read More

Kanye set to drop algae-foam Yeezy sneakers

Kanye set to drop algae-foam Yeezy sneakers

June 14, 2021 |

In Oregon, Kanye West’s Yeezy sneaker line is set to drop three new designs made using algae-based foam.  Dubbed Yeezy Foam Runner, the sneakers are made in the distinct Yeezy style and are offered in yellow and camouflage. They are expected to go on sale in July, while a red algae-foam Yeezy kick will be […]

Read More

Undisputed GOAT Tom Brady expands biodegradable sunglass line

Undisputed GOAT Tom Brady expands biodegradable sunglass line

June 14, 2021 |

In New York, sunglass company Christopher Cloos has added new styles to the biodegradable sunglass line it launched late last year with Greatest Of All Time quarterback Tom Brady under center as spokesman. The line focuses on classic shapes and designs and uses M49 Mazzucchelli, a bioplastic made in Italy and composed of cellulose acetate, […]

Read More

Vans stays on-trend with vegan skater shoe line

Vans stays on-trend with vegan skater shoe line

June 14, 2021 |

In California, Vans has introduced a vegan line of its iconic skate shoe. Dubbed Eco Theory, the sneakers use natural rubber for soles, organic cotton for uppers and laces made from jute. The sneakers are also lined with cork and made with sustainable inks and glue. Vans says it has made sure all materials are […]

Read More

Adidas invests in wood-based textile fiber maker’s IPO

Adidas invests in wood-based textile fiber maker’s IPO

June 14, 2021 |

In Finland, adidas has invested €3 million ($3.65 million) in the initial public offering of Spinnova, a company using wood and agricultural waste to make textile fibers.  Spinnova raised €58 million, and says Adidas has indicated it wants “significant volumes” of the fiber when available. It is building its first facility in Finland with forestry […]

Read More

Colombian inventor creates biodegradable face masks that germinate

Colombian inventor creates biodegradable face masks that germinate

June 14, 2021 |

In Colombia, entrepreneur Héctor Mauricio Páez has developed biodegradable face masks made of cellulose paper with embedded seeds.  Dubbed GreenGace, the mask can be planted instead of discarded. The mask itself breaks down in 1-2 months and the seed inside will germinate. The nature of the seeds contained in the masks was not specified.   […]

Read More

Bay Area food tech promises cow-free pizza by 2023

Bay Area food tech promises cow-free pizza by 2023

June 14, 2021 |

In San Francisco, precision fermentation startup New Culture is targeting late 2023 for the launch of its animal-free mozzarella cheese. The company plans to partner with pizzerias to provide first access to the technology, which involves using fermentation to produce casein, the main protein in milk.  Co-founder Matt Gibson tells FoodNavigator that New Culture’s cow-free […]

Read More

Hawaii algae innovator Kuehnle AgroSystems wins prize for dark fermentation fish food

Hawaii algae innovator Kuehnle AgroSystems wins prize for dark fermentation fish food

June 14, 2021 |

In Hawaii, algae-based technology company Kuehnle AgroSystems has won an award at the National Atlantic Seafood Forum’s Seafood Innovation Day for its astaxanthin fermentation technology. Kuehnle AgroSystems’s process manufactures astaxanthin for aquafeeds via dark fermentation, which provides higher volumes at lower cost compared to algae production methods using light. Being too scarce to use for […]

Read More

Blood enzyme could hold key for self-healing concrete

Blood enzyme could hold key for self-healing concrete

June 14, 2021 |

In Massachusetts, researchers at  Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a promising technology for self-repairing concrete. The breakthrough could help cut down on the enormous amount of carbon emissions attributed to construction and infrastructure industries.  The key ingredient is carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that transports CO2 out of human blood so it can be exhaled.  “Concrete […]

Read More