In Switzerland, Seprify has expanded into the European cosmetics market with its cellulose-based ingredient SilvaLuma through a partnership with Grolman Group. After more than 20 months of research, development and validation, SilvaLuma is now being introduced to formulators in skincare and suncare products. The ingredient is designed to enhance SPF performance and deliver mattifying effects […]
In Belgium, Syensqo has introduced Rhodasurf® B7 UP, a natural laureth-7 surfactant that enables more sustainable liquid laundry detergents and hard surface care formulations. The product is manufactured at Syensqo’s ethoxylation facility in Moerdijk, the Netherlands, which recently received ISCC PLUS mass-balance certification for delivering over 90% lower net CO₂ footprint compared to conventional surfactants, […]
In London, Arda Biomaterials has created a leather alternative from brewer’s spent grain. Dubbed New Grain, the material is supple and durable, and because it reconstructs proteins to resemble the structure of animal proteins, it doesn’t require the plastic binders and coatings many other plant-based leather alternatives require. “Plant proteins come in this really coiled up, […]
In San Francisco, sustainable sneaker pioneer Allbirds has introduced Terralux, a new footwear collection crafted with Modern Meadow’s INNOVERA-brand leather alternative. Made from plant-based proteins, biopolymers, and recycled nylon 6 sourced from end-of-life tires, INNOVERA is 80% renewable and engineered to look, feel, wear, and age like traditional leather. The three-piece Terralux collection includes two […]
In Mexico, design studio Manufactura has invented a concrete substitute made from corn, limestone derivatives and nejayote, a calcium-rich agricultural byproduct of masa production. Dubbed Corncretl, the material can be 3D-printed, has 70% lower carbon emissions than traditional concrete, and is uniquely connected to local heritage. “Beyond its nutritional value, corn held deep spiritual meaning,” […]
In Switzerland, Solabia Group, a leader in biotechnology-driven active ingredients for health and beauty, has entered into an agreement to acquire Mibelle Biochemistry, a company focused on development and production of unique, active ingredients for the cosmetics, nutraceutical, and food industries, from Persán. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1991 in Switzerland as part […]
In France, Givaudan has broken ground on Campus 52, a new CHF 55 million (US$71 million) center of excellence for natural ingredients for perfumers. The center is being built in Grasse, “the historic cradle of perfumery,” according to Givaudan. Campus 52 will house a production facility and an innovation laboratory, foster close collaboration between scientists […]
In California, Zeon and Visolis have signed a binding term sheet to strengthen their biobased isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel collaboration as well as a final investment decision for a production facility. The planned production facility is expected to begin commercial-scale production following the demonstration of mass production technology for biomass-based isoprene monomers and […]
In China, Nextchem, through its technology licensing subsidiary Conser, has been awarded a licensing and Process Design Package for its biobased dimethyl succinate and 1,4-butanediol coproduction technologies, dubbed NX CONSER MAN and NX CONSER Duetto. The licensee was not named, although Nextchem did reveal it was a major state-owned chemical player in China. The agreement […]
In Canada, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing are developing biodegradable, bottle-grade plastics from fiber left over from flax and hemp crops. The project, which will be led Dr. Satyanarayan Panigrahi, Sask Polytech Biomaterials Testing and Prototyping research chair, has been granted $250,000 in funding from the Agriculture Development Fund through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural […]
