Author Archive: Rebecca Gendron

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Fungi funds: Visibuilt raises $3.8M for mycelium-based binders

Fungi funds: Visibuilt raises $3.8M for mycelium-based binders

July 13, 2026 |

In Denmark, biotech startup developing mycelium-based construction binders has raised €3.34 million (US$3.82 million) in seed funding to support scale-up and market development. Dubbed Visibuilt, the company was founded in 2022 by Line Kloster Pedersen and Oleksii Rebrov. They call the product visiBINDER.  The round was co-led by EIFO and Unconventional Ventures.  Proptechfonden also participated, […]

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Algenesis wins ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award for biobased polyurethane

Algenesis wins ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award for biobased polyurethane

July 13, 2026 |

In California, Algenesis Labs has received the 2026 ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the Small Business category for its Soleic® family of plant-based, fully biodegradable polyurethane materials.  One of the most prestigious recognitions in sustainable chemistry, the ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award honors technologies that advance green chemistry principles to benefit human health and […]

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A better bond: BindEthics scaling formaldehyde-free resin alternative

A better bond: BindEthics scaling formaldehyde-free resin alternative

July 13, 2026 |

In the United Kingdom, biobased adhesives maker BindEthics has begun scaling production of its first product, Ecohesive. BindEthics developed Ecohesive to replace formaldehyde-based resins in construction and furniture. Formaldehyde-based resins are widely used but release formaldehyde gas over time, contributing to indoor air pollution and posing health risks.  The company is advancing batches from 40 to […]

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CATL to help CarbonScape scale wood-based graphite   

CATL to help CarbonScape scale wood-based graphite   

July 13, 2026 |

In New Zealand, CarbonScape has partnered with CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, to accelerate scale up of its wood-based battery-grade graphite. The deal also includes an investment that gives CATL and co-investor Lochpine Capital a combined 20% stake in CarbonScape, along with seats on the company’s board.  Graphite is the single largest raw material […]

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Covation debuts two new biobased fibers for textiles

Covation debuts two new biobased fibers for textiles

July 13, 2026 |

In Delaware, Covation Biomaterials has unveiled two new biobased innovations at this year’s Functional Fabric Fair, held recently in New York City.  Xatryx® bioPTMEG is a second-generation, biobased polyether glycol made from corncobs and is a drop-in replacement for traditional petroleum-based polytetramethylene ether glycol. Downstream customers can switch to Xatryx without process or production changes […]

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Novonesis, TurtleTree partner to scale lactoferrin

Novonesis, TurtleTree partner to scale lactoferrin

July 13, 2026 |

In Denmark, biosolutions giant Novonesis has entered into a development and commercialization pact with TurtleTree, an innovator in precision fermented ingredients such as lactoferrin LF+®. Simultaneously, Novonesis is making a minor investment in TurtleTree.  321Catalyst Ventures, the CVC-arm of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. joins the investment. Lactoferrin is a protein naturally found in milk and is […]

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Avantium spins out Volta technology into new company

Avantium spins out Volta technology into new company

July 13, 2026 |

In Amsterdam, biobased chemicals maker Avantium N.V. has spun out its electrochemical platform, previously known as Volta Technology, into a new, independent company named Carbeau, with retrospective effect from 1 April 2026.  Volta Technology is an electrochemical platform that converts CO₂ into high-performing chemicals using electricity.  Carbeau is backed by a strong investor consortium comprising […]

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Silk scale-up: Ajinomoto Foods Europe to produce AMSilk proteins

Silk scale-up: Ajinomoto Foods Europe to produce AMSilk proteins

July 13, 2026 |

In Germany, biotech silk materials firm AMSilk GmbH has expanded its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe to include a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement.  Under the agreement, AFE will establish a dedicated line for producing AMSilk’s silk proteins at its biomanufacturing site in Nesle, France. The setup is based on 160 m³ fermentation reactor capacity, […]

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Itsy bitsy breakthrough: Icelandic students look to produce Darwin’s bark spider silk via yeast

Itsy bitsy breakthrough: Icelandic students look to produce Darwin’s bark spider silk via yeast

July 6, 2026 |

In Iceland, researchers are developing a biodegradable, spider silk-based material that could eventually replace nylon thread in a range of applications. Led by five master’s students and one undergraduate student at the University of Iceland’s Life and Environmental Sciences program, the project is engineering the yeast Pichia pastoris to produce the silk produced by Darwin’s […]

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Afyren resumes production after upgrades at Carling-Saint-Avold

Afyren resumes production after upgrades at Carling-Saint-Avold

July 6, 2026 |

In France, biobased carboxylic acids producer Afyren has resumed production at its AFYREN NEOXY plant at Carling-Saint-Avold after a successful technical shutdown in June. As part of the consolidation and performance improvement plan launched in 2025, Afyren scheduled a one-month technical shutdown in June 2026 to modify existing and install new equipment in the downstream […]

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