In Estonia, state-owned applied research center and central metrology authority Metrosert has signed a €2 million (US$1.14 million) contract with construction company Savekate OÜ to establish a synthetic biology pilot plant. The pilot facility will give biotechnology companies a previously unavailable opportunity to test and develop new production processes before making major industrial investments, helping […]
In Indonesia, researchers at Hasanuddin University researchers have developed a biodegradable multilayer polylactic acid film reinforced with coconut water-derived cellulose and butylated hydroxytoluene. The team believes its oxygen-scavenging and mechanical properties make it a viable alternative for most plastic packaging. The scientists produced bacterial cellulose by fermenting coconut water using a process similar to that […]
In Italy, World Cup standout Erling Haaland has posted himself on social media engaging in some well-deserved, post-tournament R&R. The Norwegian star videoed himself hitting golf balls off a yacht in the Mediterranean—and later clarified to curious fans that the balls were biodegradable. Haaland said on Snapchat that the golf balls actually dissolve in the […]
In Sweden, precision fermentation company Melt&Marble has launched Marble7®, its first precision-fermented lipid ingredient for the personal care market. The lipid, which debuted at in-cosmetics Korea last week, is a 3-in-1 bioactive designed for use in skincare, makeup and hair care formulations. It offers a biomimetic skin lipid profile and is rich in Omega-7 and other […]
In New York, flavors, fragrances, and health and biosciences giant IFF has entered into an agreement with SuanNutra, a Carbyne Equity Partners portfolio company and global provider of science-backed branded and functional ingredients, to sell its portfolio of botanical extracts, vitamins and minerals, and food enhancement activities, including its range of natural colors and antioxidants […]
In Europe, the EU is investing €5.5 million ($6.3 million) in a research consortium looking to produce cocoa more sustainably by using cell culture. COCO-AI, short for “AI-Optimised Plant Cell Culture Platform for Sustainable Production of Secondary Metabolites, Demonstrated with Cocoa” is using AI to analyze biological data and optimize plant cell growth, helping researchers create […]
In Colorado, fungal fermentation firm MycoTechnology and stevia supplier Adorvia Biotechnology are collaborating to help food and beverage manufacturers create better-tasting, lower-sugar products. The partnership pairs MycoTechnology’s innovation, Zukora™ Honey Truffle Sweet Protein, with Adorvia’s proprietary Reb M stevia, giving formulators a new tool for natural sugar reduction and optimized, low-calorie and no calorie sweetener […]
In Florida, biotechnology company Dyadic International has expanded its bio-industrial pipeline with a new proprietary enzyme program focused on advanced cellulose processing. The initiative builds on the commercialization of EN3ZYME™, Dyadic’s first proprietary bio-industrial enzyme product developed in collaboration with Fermbox Bio. The new program leverages Dyadic’s Dapibus™ microbial expression platform to develop enzymes for […]
In Tennessee, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its partners have secured up to $160 million over 10 years from the National Science Foundation to launch the BRIDGES Engine, a biobased manufacturing initiative focused on economic growth in Tennessee and Alabama. One of 12 winners in NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition, BRIDGES will transform underused […]
In Spain, a company developing bioplastics from renewable resources, including agricultural residues and algae, has raised €1.5 million (US$1.7 million) in seed funding. BZERO’s thermoplastic starch technology produces home-compostable films as thin as seven microns while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to conventional plastics. “The plastic transition only works if bio-based alternatives can compete on cost, […]
