In France, designer Jérémy Lucas has created a 3D-printed surfboard using sargassum algae to draw attention to the potential for the design community to address environmental challenges such as plastics waste. Dubbed Paradoxal Surfboards, the boards use algae collected from Spain’s Ris Beach along with thermoplastics, thermosetting materials and biosourced fibers. A limited number of […]
In New York, singer/songwriter/activist Billie Eilish will feature heavily in a Gucci campaign that includes a luxury bag made from vegan leather Demetra. The material was used for the spring 2024 Horsebit 1955 bag, an iconic Gucci silhouette shoulder bag. “I am honored to be part of Gucci’s evolution in rethinking tradition,” Eilish tells Vogue. […]
In the UK, PETA has placed 498 replica bears in front of the Ministry of Defence as a demonstration against the King’s Guards’ bearskin caps. The long black furry caps are an iconic element of the oft-photographed uniforms. The bears were made of a biobased faux fur manufactured by ECOPEL. According to SW Londoner, PETA […]
In Pennsylvania, climate tech startup Tandem Repeat is developing a textile fiber inspired by squids. Dubbed Squitex, the fiber is produced using protein fermentation and molecular farming. Molecularly, it is similar to a silk-like protein found in squid tentacles. The material is soft to the touch and can be blended with cotton, linen, wool and […]
In Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand, bioplastic producer NatureWorks has achieved significant milestones in the construction of its newest fully integrated Ingeo™ manufacturing complex. The site includes lactic acid fermentation, lactide monomer production, and polymerization, with an anticipated annual capacity of 75,000 tons of Ingeo biopolymer across the complete range of Ingeo grades. “The construction of […]
In San Diego, synthetic biology company Debut has closed a substantial $40 million Series B funding, led by L’Oréal’s venture capital fund, BOLD. The investment will bolster Debut’s efforts to redefine the fragrance industry by developing bio-identical and novel fragrance molecules using cutting-edge biomanufacturing techniques. Debut uses a vertically integrated approach, which harnesses advanced biomanufacturing […]
In Houston, Sasol Chemicals has introduced two new biosurfactant brands that were developed as part of a sophorolipids collaboration with Holiferm Limited. CARINEX is designed for the personal care market, while LIVINEX will target customers in the home care, technical, institutional, and industrial cleaning sectors. Both CARINEX and LIVINEX sophorolipids are fully biodegradable and environmentally […]
In Jerome, Idaho, a sustainable construction materials company has successfully scaled hemp-based home insulation. Over 1,800 investors and grants funded Hempitecture’s 33,000-square-foot facility, which manufactures the company’s HempWool thermal insulation. “We are thrilled to celebrate this monumental milestone that symbolizes the immense amount of work put into the brand’s facility from concept to completion,” Mattie […]
In New York, a new mail-order prescription service is launching with a sustainable twist: in-home reusable pill bottles and bioplastic pouches for shipping. Cabinet Health tells Fast Company the model’s main goal is to reduce the pharmaceutical industry’s plastics waste. Nearly 200 billion plastic pill bottles are produced each year for pill bottles alone. According […]
In South Korea, automaker Kia has revealed plans for electric vehicles that also employ renewable materials like mushroom root, hemp, and flax fibers. In a presentation at Seoul’s recent “EV Day,” Kia announced its plans to transition away from leather interiors toward biobased and recycled materials. The company told Automotive News that consoles for its […]
