In Minnesota, university researchers have developed a catalyst that significantly reduces the cost of producing renewable acrylic acid and acrylates, which are used globally in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers. Låkril Technologies, a startup working to manufacture low-cost renewable acrylic acid and acrylates, has already licensed the catalyst technology from its developers at University of […]
In the UK, flooring company Amtico is now offering partially biobased luxury vinyl tile. Called Amtico Bio, the biobased content of the tiles comes from paper pulp waste, which is converted into ethylene. Amtico Bio’s carbon emissions are 90% lower than conventional vinyl tiles and certified sustainable by independent auditor International Sustainability and Carbon Certification […]
In France, TotalEnergies has agreed to supply styrene produced from pulp industry by-product tall oil to German chemical company LANXESS. The move supports LANXESS’s ambition to make its upstream and downstream supply chains climate neutral by 2050. LANXESS will use the styrene to produce ion exchange resins, which are primarily used to treat wastewater and […]
In Israel, Smart Resilin and Acies Bio have partnered to develop and commercialize resilin, a recombinant structural protein that is a promising alternative to plastics. The joint venture will combine Smart Resilin’s resilin process technology and Acies Bio’s expertise in genetic, microbiological, and scale-up development. Recombinant structural proteins are promising alternatives to synthetic plastics due […]
In India, Mint reported that local power producer NTPC signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Italy-based Maire Tecnimont Group’s Indian arm Tecnimont Pvt to jointly evaluate and explore the possibility to develop a commercial-scale green methanol production facility at the NTPC project in India. The scope of this green methanol project includes capturing […]
In Saudi Arabia, Arab News reported that Saudi Arabia’s Methanol Chemicals Co. said that the workson its $80 million methanol plant expansion project in Jubail will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The company noted that the construction of the project had faced delays. In a filing with the Saudi […]
New York state has approved human composting as an end-of-life option, becoming the sixth state to do so after Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and California. The process converts a deceased human body into soil over several weeks. It is thought to be more sustainable than cremation or burial, and at the end of the process, […]
In Italy, luxury brand Gucci has introduced dive watches made from biobased plastics. At least 46% of the unisex 40 mm watches are biobased, as is 60% of the case. Recycled materials are used for the crown, buckle, and case back. Retailing for $1,850, the watches are water-resistant up to 200 meters and have enough […]
In Brazil, furf design studio has created mycelium deities to highlight the sustainability potential of the material and “emblemize the plurality of Brazilian syncretism.” The collection—appropriately called Faith—is made using 3D printed molds and includes Mary, Buddha, and Brazilian queen of the sea, Iemanjá. “With a negative carbon footprint, it cleans the environment with its […]
Brunei’s largest card issuer has launched credit and debit cards made from biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic to demonstrate its “commitment to tackling the sustainability challenges facing the world.” Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam says the new cards have the same functionality as conventional cards but emit 70% fewer greenhouse gas emissions to produce. “BIBD worked […]
