In the UK, personal care products giant Unilever is sponsoring a pilot project to extract floral scents from unsold and imperfect ornamental flowers. In partnership with Bridge Farm Group and the University of Nottingham, the company aims to valorize the nearly 1 billion tons of waste flowers and ornamental plants that go unsold annually. The […]
In Japan, the design team at Yamaha Corporation has unveiled prototype guitars using defective and scrap wood generated by the instrument maker’s manufacturing operations. “The relationship between a musical instrument and its material is fundamental, shaping its sound, appearance, and feel,” according to a submission from the company to online publication design boom. “Rare woods, […]
In Colorado, Crocs has reported considerable progress in its efforts to increase the renewable content of its popular clogs. The company says it has reached 25% “bio-circular” content in its proprietary Croslite material, which accounts for more than 80% of Crocs’ total materials used across its portfolio. “We believe that to truly make an impact, […]
In Boston, GALY CO., a climate tech company pioneering the development of cellular agriculture products, has announced the closing of an oversubscribed $33 million Series B financing led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures with additional participation from new investors H&M Group and Inditex. The funds will primarily fuel the expansion of GALY’s research and development on […]
In Texas, Citroniq Chemicals, a company pursuing biobased polypropylene, has closed a $12-million Series A funding round. Strategic investors were “led by a large multi-national energy technology company providing large rotating equipment across oil & gas, energy and industrial customers in over 120 countries, along with a co-investment by Lummus Technology Ventures, and in partnership […]
In Germany, specialty chemicals producer Evonik has brought a renewable emollients plant online in Steinau. The facility cost “double-digit million-euro[s]” and manufactures esters using an enzymatic process and vegetable oils as feedstock. The investment was made to keep pace with growing demand for sustainable emollients in cosmetics. Emollients are cosmetic oils and waxes that make […]
In Japan, a joint venture between Dow and Mitsui have begun selling ethylene vinyl acetate and low-density polyethylene using renewable feedstocks. Dow-Mitsui Polychemicals Company, which kicked off sales on September 1, said the biomass EVA and biomass LDPE have the same resin properties as conventional petroleum-derived products because the raw material, biomass ethylene, exhibits the […]
In Finland, Nokian Tyres and Swedish biomaterials company Reselo AB have signed a development agreement to further develop their renewable material Reselo Rubber as a new raw material in tires. One-hundred percent renewable Reselo Rubber is made from birch bark sourced from pulp, paper and sawmill industry waste. “According to the initial laboratory tests… Reselo […]
In the Netherlands, bike gear and accessories company BBB Cycling has introduced a line of plant-based bike care products. Sold under the simple brand name Bio, the line of assembly, maintenance, and cleaning products biodegrade within 28 days and are free of petrochemicals and microplastics. Examples include the BioSeal tire sealant, which is manufactured from […]
In Germany, Volkswagen has partnered with hemp materials startup Revoltech to use 100% biobased leather alternative for its interiors. Dubbed LOVR, Revoltech’s material is fully recyclable and compostable and could be deployed in Volkswagen models as soon as 2028. Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen’s Board Member for Technical Development, told Manufacturing Today India the car maker is […]
