In California, a Tesla featuring a custom bamboo-based leather interior is on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum. According to Luxury Launches, the bespoke Model S Plaid uses Banbū animal-free leather developed by Von Holzhausen. Banbū is described by Von Holzhausen to be “buttery-soft like lambskin, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, water-resistant, and lightweight.” It is also biodegradable. […]
In Georgia, Yamaha Marine U.S. will use plant-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced resin in the manufacture of select parts for watercrafts, including sport boat engines, beginning in 2024. CNF reinforced resin is a new high-strength material manufactured by kneading and dispersing CNF, a biomass material made from wood resources, into resins such as polypropylene. The […]
In Minnesota, synthetic biology firm Calyxt, Inc., has completed the first phase of a research collaboration aimed at developing a soybean capable of producing an oil capable of replacing palm oil in commercial applications. The collaboration with an unnamed, leading global food ingredient manufacturer based in Asia leverages Calyxt’s proprietary PlantSpring™ platform for engineering plant […]
In San Francisco, plant-based fur developer BioFluff has raised $500,000 in pre-seed funding. Participants included SOSV/IndieBio fund, Joyance partners, and Ataraxia Partners Limited. The funds will help the startup bring its first product to market next year, in collaboration with an unnamed, Paris-based fashion client. According to the company’s website, BioFluff is the first 100% […]
In France, Afyren, a greentech company that offers manufacturers biobased, low-carbon products made using technology based on natural micro-organisms, announced that it had signed a new multi-year contract to provide biobased organic acid to a U.S. maker of synthetic lubricants. The French firm noted that the customer is an active producer of Polyol Esters, which […]
In Massachusetts, CJ Biomaterials and NatureWorks have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of sustainable materials solutions based on CJ Biomaterials’ PHACT Biodegradable Polymers and NatureWorks’ Ingeo biopolymers. CJ Biomaterials is a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) The two companies will develop high-performance biopolymer solutions that […]
In Connecticut, green chemistry firm P2 Science (P2) announced the launch of a range of biobased and patented pigment dispersions under the tradename Citrosperse. The line of 10 color dispersions was developed in collaboration with American Colors, of Sandusky, OH and is marketed exclusively by P2. Like other P2 products, the Citrosperse range is built […]
Among the newest adopters, we’re reporting this week that cactus leather slip-ons prove G.H. Bass isn’t “loafing about” on sustainability. In addition Tarform has revved up use of renewables for its electric motorcycles, using a flaxseed and biobased resin composite dyed with algae-based pigments. Finally, Germany’s Playmobil will soon expand its Wiltopia bioplastic range of […]
In Minneapolis, iconic shoe brand and penny loafer inventor G.H. Bass has produced two versions of its Weejun loafer using cactus leather. Manufactured by Desserto, the material was launched in 2020 and has already attracted interest from BMW, Givenchy, and Everlane. Desserto also recently signed a distribution agreement with fast fashion mainstay H&M, vegconomist reports. […]
In Brooklyn, Tarform has launched an electric motorcycle that incorporates several biobased materials. Dubbed Luna, the bike’s body is made from a flaxseed and biobased resin composite dyed with algae-based pigments. A leather alternative made from either pineapple, mango, or corn is used for the Luna’s seat, and recycled aluminum is used for its frame. […]
