In San Francisco, renewable footwear pioneer Allbirds has expanded its material slate into rice hulls and citrus peels with a new sneaker called Plant Pacer. Available for $135, the vegan leather shoe is made with Mirum, an agricultural waste-based material produced by Natural Fiber Welding, an Illinois-based startup Allbirds invested $2 million in last year. […]
In New Jersey, biobased materials firm Modern Meadow has been named a finalist in three categories of Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards. The company’s Bio-Alloy platform delivers 13 miscible blends of plant-based proteins and biopolymers. The blends provide varying mechanical and thermal properties with a number of commercial applications. Modern Meadow’s BioFabbrica Bio-Tex™, for […]
In Finland, Orthex, a producer of household products said it has selected a range of INEOS Styrolution’s sustainable Luran ECO raw materials for its range of SmartStore Compact storage products. Luran ECO is a styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) resulting from a cooperation between INEOS Styrolution and BASF. It is built on BASF’s production of styrene […]
In Sweden, electric performance car company Polestar said that twelve new partners are joining the Polestar 0 project, which has the main goal of producing a climate-neutral car by 2030 without offsetting. The new and existing partners will focus on certain materials, components and processes involved in the production of cars. New partners cover areas […]
In the Philippines, a pair of engineering students have won a James Dyson award for a post-mastectomy bra that biodegrades when composted. The bra is named Brakong—a nod to bakong, the fast-growing aquatic plant used with polylactic acid to produce the prosthesis. “We can 3D-scan a patient or create a 3D model out of other […]
In Finland, students at Aalto University have created a textile filling dubbed Fluff Stuff that is made from typha latifolia. Commonly known as broadleaf cattail, the plant grows a distinctive cigar-shaped seed head that can be dried and used to replace carbon-intensive down filling in products like cushions, duvets, jackets, and bags. According to developers […]
In Washington, a major manufacturer of mobile charging tools has introduced USB-C charging cables incorporating biobased materials. Dubbed Anker Eco Product, the outer sheath is made from 40% plant-based materials, including corn and sugarcane. The eco-friendly material replaces petroleum-based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer without sacrificing quality, strength, or durability. “As the global leader in mobile […]
In Germany, BMW Group will shortly launch its first vehicles with completely vegan interiors. Available for both BMW and MINI models by next year, the animal-free claim includes the steering wheel, a feature with demanding feel, appearance, and wear-resistance criteria. BMW says the new steering wheel surface material reduces CO2e emissions along the value chain […]
In Israel, design student Naama Nictora has created an edible and dissolvable food film out of algae that can replace plastic and paper packaging and even encase sauces and spices for convenience. Dubbed NakedPak, the coating is clear, tasteless, and can be manufactured in 2- or 3-D sheets. Spices and sauces can be added to […]
In Spain, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia has 3D printed a structure using natural materials including dirt, aloe, egg whites, and enzymes. Dubbed TOVA, the prototype structure is zero-waste and only sources materials from within a 50-meter radius. “3D printing or additive manufacturing is a great example of km zero construction, as the […]
