In the United Kingdom, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economy nonprofit, has assembled a consortium of major consumer packaged goods companies to accelerate innovation in recyclable and biodegradable paper-based flexible packaging. Dubbed the PaperFlex Consortium, its members include CPG heavy-hitters Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. By joining R&D forces, members […]
In Germany, biotech firm BIOWEG will begin construction of Europe’s largest bacterial cellulose production plant in the fourth quarter. The first-of-a-kind facility, located in Elsdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, will produce up to 10,000 metric tons a year, with first commercial volumes expected in 2028. Startup of the plant will onshore production of a material that Europe […]
In Germany, Symrise has completed the acquisition of Floral Concept in a deal that strengthens Symrise’s position in Premium Naturals fragrances. Founded in 2002, Floral Concept develops and supplies premium natural fragrance ingredients for fine fragrances, including extracts from jasmine, rose, orange blossom, ambrette and blackcurrant. It is based in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne in the Pays de Grasse […]
In the United Kingdom, specialty chemical maker Croda International has opened biotechnology research and development laboratories at Sci-Tech Daresbury, within the Liverpool City Region. The facility will serve as Croda’s global center for biotechnology research, one of the company’s most important platforms for future growth. The cost of the facility was not disclosed. The new […]
In Paris, Lactips, a developer of dissolvable biobased polymers, and U.S. water-soluble packaging firm SmartSolve have expanded their strategic partnership to accelerate plastic-free packaging. The companies have been collaborating since 2024 on PureNil™ 0, the world’s first 100% plastic-free, dispersible, printable, flexible packaging substrate. Approved for direct food contact, PureNil™ 0 disperses rapidly in water […]
In Washington, D.C., the Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation has partnered with UK-based cultivated food platform provider Cultigen Group to create a suite of platforms that give cultivated food producers, vendors, scientists and researchers new tools to connect and scale their businesses. The collaboration combines the strengths of AMPS, a flagship cultivated food […]
In Germany, chemicals and ingredients distribution major Brenntag and Jingkun Chemistry Company have expanded their distribution relationship to include Jingkun’s portfolio of guar gum derivatives for the Beauty & Personal Care industry in France and Germany. Derived from renewable guar gum, Jingkun’s thickening and conditioning polymers help formulators create high-performing hair care, skin care and […]
In Chicago, clean home care brand Dropps has announced a rebrand for its Laundry Pods and Dishwasher Pods. The new identity pairs biobased formulas and plastic-free packaging with new third-party certifications and enzyme-powered cleaning performance. It also “reflects the realities of modern life, from cooking and hosting to workouts, smoothie stains, family adventures, coffee spills and […]
In Finland, a large team of students at Aalto University has created a baby carriage for Dutch baby products company Bugaboo that includes unique biobased materials. The pram’s canopy was made from waste orange peel. Serranur Zileli developed the light brown, citrus-scented material, giving discarded orange peel a new use as a functional component of the […]
In China, researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have created a biobased material that could be used to 3D print houses on Mars. The “recipe” combines Martian rocks with gelatin and yeast brought from Earth. Once the mixture is dried and hardened, the building material is as strong as low-grade concrete. It […]
