Category: Chemicals & Materials

Microsoft and Alcantara create biobased keyboard

Microsoft and Alcantara create biobased keyboard

July 10, 2023 |

In Milan, software and hardware leader Microsoft and materials company Alcantara have partnered to develop computer keyboards partially made from sugarcane waste. Alcantara and Microsoft have worked to develop the renewable material for Microsoft’s Surface Pro Signature keyboards since Microsoft launched the Surface portfolio of computers in 2017. The keyboards are available in black, platinum, […]

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Advanced Biochemical Thailand absorbs AGC Vinythai

Advanced Biochemical Thailand absorbs AGC Vinythai

July 10, 2023 |

In Thailand, biobased epichlorohydrin producer Advanced Biochemical (Thailand) has been absorbed by its parent company, AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited. The transaction was completed on July 3rd and will not affect day-to-day production of Advanced Biochemical’s EPINITY biobased epichlorohydrin. “ABT has been producing biobased epichlorohydrin for over 11 years at our site in Thailand,” Kazuaki […]

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Evonik acquires cosmetics actives maker Novachem

Evonik acquires cosmetics actives maker Novachem

July 10, 2023 |

In Germany, Evonik has acquired Novachem to enhance its sustainable cosmetic active ingredients portfolio. Based in Buenos Aires, Novachem develops biotechnological, natural, and sustainable active ingredients for skin and hair care applications. Since its inception in 2007, the company has applied science and technology to create innovative eco-certified actives from live microorganisms that meet the […]

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Technip Energies acquires process technology leader Processium

Technip Energies acquires process technology leader Processium

July 10, 2023 |

In France, Technip Energies has acquired Processium, a leader in process development with laboratory and piloting facilities located in Lyon. The deal will help Technip accelerate the development of new processes and technologies by adding specific competencies in reactor design, scale-up, downstream purification and processing know-how.  “We are very excited by this opportunity to leverage […]

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Regulators approve Croda’s acquisition of beauty care ingredient maker Solus Biotech

Regulators approve Croda’s acquisition of beauty care ingredient maker Solus Biotech

July 10, 2023 |

In the United Kingdom, Croda International Plc has received approval from the South Korean regulatory authorities to acquire Solus Biotech, a global leader in biotechnology-derived active ingredients for beauty care and pharmaceuticals, from Solus Advanced Materials. The acquisition gives Croda access to Solus’ existing biotech-derived ceramide and phospholipid technologies and its emerging capabilities in natural […]

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Fungi fail: Bolt Threads halts production of mycelium leather

Fungi fail: Bolt Threads halts production of mycelium leather

July 3, 2023 |

In Emeryville, California, Bolt Threads has ceased production of its leather alternative Mylo after running out of funds. The news, conveyed by Bolt Threads’ CEO Dan Widmaier to Vogue Business, comes despite the company attracting keen interest from major brands like Stella McCartney, Kering and Adidas. According to Widmaier, funding for Mylo was “devastatingly close” […]

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Tempura tech: San Fran restaurant serves cultivated chicken from Upside Foods

Tempura tech: San Fran restaurant serves cultivated chicken from Upside Foods

July 3, 2023 |

In San Francisco, a few lucky taste testers won a contest to be among the first in America to eat cultivated chicken at a restaurant.  After paying a symbolic $1, winners of an Upside Foods social media contest dined on the lab-grown delicacy, which was served tempura-ed with burnt chili aioli, at Bar Crenn. Notably, […]

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Wood toilet maker Woodio raises €16.3 million

Wood toilet maker Woodio raises €16.3 million

July 3, 2023 |

In Finland, interior design maker Woodio, which recently attracted interest in the design world for a wood composite toilet—has raised €16.2 million to fund its international expansion. The funding round was led by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund and the European Innovation Council. Previous investors also participated. Woodio uses aspen in chip form and […]

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Origin Materials starts up world’s first CMF plant

Origin Materials starts up world’s first CMF plant

July 3, 2023 |

In Ontario, biobased chemicals producer Origin Materials has announced the startup of Origin 1, which is hailed as the world’s first commercial chloromethyl furfural plant. Using wood residues as feedstock, the Sarnia plant will supply intermediate chemicals and materials to various industries, including clothing, textiles, plastics, packaging, automotive parts, and tires. CMF can be used […]

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BASF and Modern Meadow partner on animal-free leather

BASF and Modern Meadow partner on animal-free leather

July 3, 2023 |

In Germany, Modern Meadow and BASF have partnered to develop an animal-free material that looks, feels and naturally ages like traditional leather, suede, or chamois. The material, known as Bio-VERA™, has been engineered by Modern Meadow and incorporates BASF’s Ultramid® Ccycled® solution using post-consumer waste and bio-renewable technologies.  The resulting material offers luxurious aesthetics and […]

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