In Uganda, entrepreneur Juliet Kakwerre Tumusiime has founded Cheveux Organique to commercialize hair extensions made from banana stems. Tumusiime says the extensions are odor-free, biodegradable, handcrafted, and available in three colors: Cheveux Black, Cheveux Brown, and Cheveux Blonde. She also told Ugandan media outlet Sunday Monitor Cheveux Organique’s extensions are easy to wash, style, treat […]
In Sweden, a team at KTH Royal Institute of Technology has developed a construction material from coconuts, lemons, and modified wood that can help make heating and cooling homes exponentially more efficient. According to Peter Olsén, researcher in the Department of Biocomposites at KTH, 100 kilos of the material can save about 2.5 kWh per […]
In Denmark, shareholders of both Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have approved the previously announced merger of the biosolutions leaders in a deal that “unleash[es] the full potential of biological solutions and [will] generate significant value for all stakeholders and society at large.” Called a “perfect match” by Novo Holdings A/S, which is the largest shareholder […]
In California, cultivated meat maker GOOD Meat has received a “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its cultivated chicken, marking just the second such approval in the United States. The letter means that “following a careful and rigorous evaluation,” the FDA has accepted the company’s conclusion that its first poultry […]
In Germany, sneaker and sportswear brand adidas has launched a renewable version of its popular adiFOM Adilette slides. The slip-ons feature the black and white scheme and three stripes synonymous with the brand, but also include at least 25% renewable materials. The biobased content comes from sugarcane-based foam. The comfy, easy-on slides are available on […]
In Georgia, Danimer Scientific, Inc. has closed a new $130-million senior secured term loan that “significantly improves its near-term liquidity position, and enables it to maintain strategic and operational flexibility.” Arranged by Jefferies, the loan bears an annual rate of 14.4%. After customary fees and expenses, net proceeds to Danimer were $98.6 million, of which […]
In Sweden, Stora Enso and Kolon Industries have signed a Joint Development Agreement to develop biobased polyesters and downstream applications, as well as renewable binder resin formulations for applications such as packaging, car tire reinforcements, and films for electronics, panels and displays. The development work will combine Stora Enso’s FuraCore® process for converting fructose into […]
In California, Hyosung Materials has signed a reservation agreement to source biobased materials from Origin Materials for use in batteries, automotive parts, and apparel. Under the terms of the agreement, Hyosung Advanced Materials will purchase biobased materials from Origin Materials, including polyethylene terephthalate and a blend of PET and furandicarboxylic acid for use in tire […]
In Illinois, a project looking to convert pig manure and food waste into biobased binding material for road construction and roofing shingles has won a prestigious pitch competition. Conceived by Yuanhui Zhang, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor and founder of the Environment-Enhancing Energy Laboratory, the project will receive $2.5 million from the USDA’s […]
In Israel, lactic acid and polylactic acid startup TripleW has raised $16.5 million to advance the several food waste upgrade projects it has in its pipeline. Founded in 2016, the company uses microorganisms to ferment food waste into lactic acid, which it then purifies and converts to PLA, a leading bioplastic. It already operates a […]
