In Pennsylvania, a man named Max Justice is producing mushroom coffins to help make the act of burying a loved one more environmentally friendly. Justice, CEO of Setas Eternal Living in Franklin County, told Fox43 the process works by growing mycelium into a coffin-shaped mold. The shaped mushroom is then purified and cooked in an […]
In Scotland, the rigorous boarding school attended by both King Charles and his father Prince Philip has created a line of green products such as bamboo toothbrushes to wheat hairbrushes. Students at Gordonstoun run the enterprise, which includes plant-based mouthwash tabs and biodegradable wipes. The products are sold at the school’s health center, reducing the […]
In California and Minnesota, Starbucks will begin a trial using compostable paper cups with biobased liner and molded-fiber lids at several locations. California and Minnesota locations were chosen for the pilot because both are implementing Extended Producer Responsibility laws. Starbucks hopes that the new cups and lids will help it reach its goal of having […]
In Scotland, scientists at the University of Aberdeen and chemical maker RIPCELL are collaborating to turn whisky distillery waste products into biobased chemicals. Funded in part by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, the project’s scope includes producing lactic acid from distillation byproducts pot ale and spent lees. Every liter of whisky produced generates about ten […]
In Germany, BASF has said it will only offer biobased ethyl acrylate starting in the fourth quarter. The EA boasts 14C-traceable biobased content of 40%, according to DIN EN 16640, and a low Product Carbon Footprint. It is produced at BASF’s Ludwigshafen site using bioethanol exclusively as alcohol source. The chemical and technical specifications of […]
In Georgia, polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastics maker Danimer Scientific has reported second quarter sales of $7.6 million, down by $5.3 million compared to revenue of $12.9 million in the second quarter of 2023. Nodax-brand PHA revenue of $5.9 million decreased by $2.5 million in the quarter as compared with the prior year quarter, primarily due to the reapportionment […]
In Lithuania, enzyme design startup Biomatter has secured €6.5 million in a seed financing round to expand its generative AI platform for developing new enzymes faster. Biomatter develops custom enzymes for chemicals production, agriculture, food and medicine. Its customers include chemicals giant BASF and Neogen. “The enzymes we have developed show that we can go […]
In California, Mr. Charlie’s, a small plant-based fast-food chain colloquially known as the “Vegan McDonalds,” is using dairy-free cultured cheddar cheese from Sweden’s Stockeld Dreamery for its new Mr. Royale with Cheese menu item. The self-styled “sarcastic disruptor” burger joint chose Stockheld Dreamery cheese because of its excellent melting properties and high protein content. “I’m […]
In Barcelona, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia has recently completed the second phase of a 100-square meeting building prototype constructed using 3D printing and locally sourced soil and natural materials. Dubbed 3D Printed Earth Forest Campus, the structure is being erected in Collserola Natural Park. Phase one was a single earth-printed wall, which […]
In New York, designer Kim Jiwoo has responded to the Stanley Quencher/cup trend with a biobased thermoplastic version. Dubbed LINK, the mugs use cellulose cross-linked polymer made by adding plasticizer to cellulose sourced from wood waste. “LINK… tries to signify the connection between humans and trees on multiple levels,” according to Yanko Design. “Its handle […]
