In Finland, Nokian Tyres and Swedish biomaterials company Reselo AB have signed a development agreement to further develop their renewable material Reselo Rubber as a new raw material in tires. One-hundred percent renewable Reselo Rubber is made from birch bark sourced from pulp, paper and sawmill industry waste. “According to the initial laboratory tests… Reselo […]
A collaboration between researchers from Sweden, Denmark and China has successfully converted birch leaves into carbon quantum dots suitable for use in semiconductors. The team, led by researchers at Umeå University, also produced a prototype semiconductor using the material. The dots were found to be a suitable replacement for semiconductor materials that require extensive mining […]
In Germany, so far, little is known about how microplastics interact with higher-order terrestrial plants. Recent studies have shown that microplastics are taken up in the roots of agricultural plants such as wheat. As part of a cutting-edge interdisciplinary project by Berlin-based art studio, Studio Austen, the research team from the IGB and the German […]
The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of December 19th. In today’s Digest, liquid waste garments and birch tree gowns, pulp pill bottles, bioplastic advances and biobased solvents — these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online. #1 World’s […]
In Canada, Fortress Paper Ltd. announced a strategic supplement to the already announced birch usage project at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill aimed at extracting hemicellulose from underutilized species such as birch. The Hemicellulose Project will allow the Company to advance its research and development in hemicellulose derivative products. Hemicellulose is a cellulosic sugar, which […]
In Japan, the design team at Yamaha Corporation has unveiled prototype guitars using defective and scrap wood generated by the instrument maker’s manufacturing operations. “The relationship between a musical instrument and its material is fundamental, shaping its sound, appearance, and feel,” according to a submission from the company to online publication design boom. “Rare woods, […]
In India, a coalition of the willing called the Bold Goals Action Group refined and amended a series of 47 Bold Actions that must be taken by industry and government in order to achieve the global timelines for Net Zero economies that address climate change and the need for resilient national economies. The group was […]
In Europe, a multi-institute project evaluating the use of marginal land to cultivate trees and shrubs for use as feedstocks for bioplastics, biochar, and pet litter has achieved “promising results.” The group assessed growth of Siberian elm, common juniper, hoary rock-rose, rosemary, birch, common broom, blackwood acacia, mora, common hornbeam and black poplar across six […]
In Italy, ultra-luxury fashion brand Fendi and architect Kengo Kuma have jointly designed men’s accessories that feature biobased materials and are inspired by Japanese craftmanship. The collaboration produced versions of Fendi’s Peekaboo bag, Baguette Soft Trunk and Flow Sneakers using materials such as waranshi—a type of paper made from cotton and tree bark fibers that […]
In Denmark, due to their abundance worldwide, lignocellulosic residues have an enormous potential to substitute petrochemicals with bio-based alternatives. However, efficient cellulose degradation into sugars has long been an obstacle to the wider spread of lignocellulosic biorefineries. Now, the tide seems to be changing. Based on significant advancements over the past 5 years, Fibenol is […]
