In Belgium, a master luthier has created a cello made from a flax composite textile as an environmentally friendly alternative to the protected species of wood often used to produce string instruments. Using mirror-twilled fabric layered with flax, Tim Duerinck was able to mimic the patterns—and sounds—of conventional wooden cellos. The cello was made by […]
In the Netherlands, biologists from Burger’s Zoo in Arnhem have teamed up with Delft-based startup Reefy and University of Wageningen to test materials for coral reef restoration in the zoo’s 750,000-liter aquarium. The material is an undisclosed biopolymer that is biodegradable. “The coral needs a base to grow on. By the time the coral is […]
In Seattle, high-end department store Nordstrom has partnered with sustainable sneaker pioneer Allbirds in a bid to appeal to a younger, more sustainably-minded demographic. Allbirds shoes are made from renewable materials like wool and plant-based leathers. Nordstrom aims to have 15% of its sales come from “Sustainable Style” by 2025. Under the terms of the […]
In the Netherlands, furniture and homegoods giant IKEA has vowed to make a minimum of 20% of its mattress materials recycled or renewable by 2025. With this initiative, IKEA aims to reduce foam ending up in landfill, decrease pollution, and drive the industry agenda to develop foam solutions centered around recycled materials. “Since 2015 IKEA […]
In Florida, a materials startup is killing two birds with one stone by turning invasive fish species lionfish into a sustainable alternative to cow leather. Dubbed INVERSA, founders Aarav Chavda and Roland Salantino and CMO Deepika Nagarajan say the luxury-quality leather alternative actually restores ocean biodiversity because lionfish are a harmful species with no natural predators in […]
In Germany, startup Revoltech has raised seven-figure seed funding for LOVR, a leather alternative made from hemp fibers and residues from the fast-growing CBD market. Founded in 2021 by Lucas Fuhrmann, Julian Mushövel and Montgomery Wagner, Revoltech says participants in the seed funding include b.value AG, BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH and HEAG. The funds will […]
In Massachusetts, two bioplastic makers have signed a letter of intent to codevelop sustainable materials using their respective products. CJ BIO and NatureWorks—leading producers of polyhydroxyalkanoate and polylactic acid, respectively—say the LOI is the first step toward a Master Collaboration Agreement. The companies will work together to develop sustainable materials solutions based on CJ BIO’s […]
In Boston, foodtech company Motif FoodWorks says it has received unspecified funding from Footprint Coalition Ventures, an investment firm founded by Marvel star Robert Downey Jr. Motif uses precision fermentation to produce ingredients that mimic animal muscle protein, while plant proteins and plant-based carbohydrates help it achieve meat-like texture. “If plant-based foods are going to […]
In the UK, researchers have produced a comic book about biobased products to help schoolchildren in the region get excited about the bioeconomy. Set in 2064, the plot sees Green Kid go back in time to the 2020s to check on how scientific research is creating green solutions to create a circular economy and help […]
In the Netherlands, Studio MOM has developed a 100% biodegradable bike helmet made from the root structure of fungus and hemp textiles. Dubbed MyHelmet, the protective gear was designed by Alessandra Sisti, a junior designer at Studio MOM, as her graduation project from the Politecnico di Milano’s Design and Engineering masters program. The helmet is […]
