In the Netherlands, Dutch quick-service restaurant Kwalitaria is using home compostable trays made from Notpla’s seaweed-based plastic. Developed in collaboration with Compax, a Dutch company that specializes in packaging solutions, particularly disposables and food packaging, rollout of the fries and snack packaging at 160 Kwalitaria locations is expected to prevent 102.5 metric tons of CO2 and […]
In the United Kingdom, plant-based colorants maker Sparxell has raised $5 million in a pre-Series A funding round. Located at the University of Cambridge, Sparxell’s patented technology converts cellulose from wood pulp to structural color. The round was led by SWEN Capital Partners‘ Blue Ocean fund. Alpha Star Capital and Cambridge Enterprise Ventures also participated. […]
In the United Kingdom, The Bland Company has raised $2.67 million to convert agricultural waste into proteins that can replace eggs. Although several companies offer egg substitutes, none have fully solved the performance and cost challenges. Precision‑fermented egg proteins remain expensive due to high capital and operating costs, Rubisco‑based options require intensive downstream processing, and mung‑bean […]
In Hong Kong, lab-grown fish startup Avant is shuttering its marine peptides unit, Avant Proteins, to focus on gaining regulatory approval for its fish in Singapore. Founded in 2018, Avant began with cultivated fish but expanded into cell-based marine protein ingredients for skincare in 2021. Dubbed Zellulin, the platform could be used in moisturizers, creams […]
In Germany, microbial protein producer MicroHarvest has been awarded €5.5 million (US$6.5 million) from the German government. MicroHarvest’s process feeds local agricultural waste to the same bacteria found in kimchi, kefir and sauerkraut to produce proteins that can be used in pet food, human food, and aquaculture. The funds will be used to open a 15,000 […]
In Portugal, designer Adonis Evangelista has unveiled Biodegradable Pots, a material‑research initiative demonstrating how organic waste can be transformed into renewable planting containers to reduce the horticulture industry’s dependence on single use plastics. Evangelista sourced organic waste from three major streams: natural fibers and plant residues from floriculture operations, eggshells and other food scraps from […]
In Singapore, N&E Innovations has developed an edible antimicrobial coating that extends the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and meats and reduces spoilage along the produce supply chain. Dubbed ViKANG, the coating is made from agricultural wastes like cashew nut seeds. It can replace toxic coatings like chlorine, sulfur, or wax that have to be […]
In Kansas, Invista and Epoch Biodesign have partnered to co-develop post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6. The deal leverages Epoch’s AI-engineered recycling enzymes and Invista’s polymerization know-how. Nylon 6,6 has numerous applications in apparel, automotive, and industrial applications, but few recycling options exist at scale “Invista is committed to exploring innovative technologies that can improve the sustainability […]
In New Orleans, Louisiana State University Associate Professor Naohiro Kato has created an updated version of his biobased Mardis Gras beads that contain okra seeds. Many of the 1,500, 3-D printed necklaces Kato’s team produced will be thrown during the 2026 Freret and Tucks parades in New Orleans and the Artemis parade in Baton Rouge. […]
In India, e-commerce giant Amazon has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in a 15-month pilot project to convert agricultural waste into biodegradable paper mailers. The project will use crop waste like wheat straw and sugarcane residue. Amazon hopes to advance from pilot to validation by the end of next year. “At Amazon, […]
