Porsche hemp race car, cigarette butt bricks, biobased boo-boo bandages, flax phone cases, bursting balloon bubbles, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of January 16th

The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of January 16th.

In today’s Digest, Porsche hemp race car, cigarette butt bricks, biobased boo-boo bandages, flax phone cases, bursting balloon bubbles — these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online.

#1 Porsche introduces race car with hemp body

In Germany, Porsche is using hemp within the body of one of its race cars.

Porsche’s 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport uses a composite made from organic hemp and flax fibers instead of the traditional carbon fiber/polymer resin material. According to the luxury sports car maker, the material is similar in weight and stiffness but is more environmentally friendly.

A $150,000 Trackday model of the Cayman GT4 is available, while a higher-performing, competition version will set you back $175,000. The company has not indicated if it might use the composite material in any of its consumer models.

Henry Ford reportedly produced a model car with body material made from cellulose from hemp, wheat, and soybeans, although the specs have since been lost.
More on the story, here.