In Ohio, a bioplastic scoliosis brace designed by University of Cincinnati grad student Sangyu Xi has won the US section of the James Dyson Awards. Scoliosis develops during puberty and is marketed by a curved spine. The brace—dubbed Airy—is made from polylactic acid and is designed to have an off-the-shelf fit for teen girls. “I […]
In Singapore, Meatiply has unveiled three lab-grown meat prototypes—smoked duck breast, kampong chicken yakitori, and chicken katsu bites. The prototypes are a mix of lab-grown muscle and fat and plant-based ingredients to better mimic conventional meat’s taste and texture. “We developed a versatile platform that allows us to isolate and cultivate a variety of cells […]
In Australia, Vow has opened one of the world’s largest cultivated meat production facilities. Dubbed Factory 1, the New South Wales facility has the capacity to produce 30 tons of “an extremely delicious” but undisclosed first product annually. “With Factory 1, Vow has quietly become a world leader in cultured meat, we are now operating […]
In Milwaukee, Sensient Technologies Corporation has acquired Endemix Doğal Maddeler A.Ş., a Turkish supplier of natural color and extracts company for food and beverage markets. Endemix works with multinationals in Turkey and exports to customers throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company’s production, research and development, and administrative offices are located near Istanbul. […]
In Malaysia, India and Singapore, a group of researchers has developed a process for converting pineapple leaf fibers into filaments for 3D printing. Combined with polylactic acid, the biodegradable filaments were shown in the journal Polymer Composites to have enhanced mechanical, crystalline, chemical bonding and thermal properties. “In particular, the characterization study reveals that the […]
In Minnesota, artist David Bowen has created an art installation in which a philodendron sends signals that spur movement in a machete-wielding robotic arm. Dubbed “plant machete,” the wall-mounted work uses an open-source micro-controller connected to the plant that translates electrical signals from plant’s leaves into motion, according to the artist’s website. Using custom software, […]
In Australia, bioplastics kettles and toasters produced by Philips Domestic Appliances are now available at local appliance retailer Bing Lee. Priced at $129 each, the Eco Collection uses plant oil waste in its bioplastic casings. Purchase will also trigger a tree planted in the Philippines under an agreement between Philips and EcoMatcher. “We are seeing […]
In Turkey, a designer has created packaging for soap using a biodegradable material comprised of artichoke leaves and peapods. Alara Ertenü tells designboom the material, which she named Packioli, helps repurpose artichoke waste, which comprises 80% of the crop in many cases. She adds Packioli is water resistant, meets the hygiene and durability needs of […]
In London, an annual survey of tanners conducted by International Leather Maker has revealed overwhelming interest in biobased carbon content for tanning chemicals. According to the results, 84% of tanners are or will be actively looking to source leather chemicals with 100% or partially biobased content. “This confirms recent trends and launches by a number […]
In Delaware, The LYCRA Company has signed an agreement with Qore® LLC to enable large-scale production of bio-derived spandex. Under the terms of the deal, The LYCRA Company will purchase biobased 1,4-butanediol produced by Qore®, a joint venture held by Cargill and HELM, for use in producing 70% renewable Lycra fiber. The new feedstock will […]
