Author Archive: Rebecca Gendron

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Jungle on your plate: Lab-grown lion and zebra meat heads to taste tests

Jungle on your plate: Lab-grown lion and zebra meat heads to taste tests

April 4, 2022 |

Cultivated meat startup Primeval Foods is planning tasting events in New York and London for its lab-grown lion, tiger and zebra meat.  Based in the United Kingdom, the company focuses on growing exotic meats people would otherwise not get to consume. “We are currently working in the Siberian tiger, leopard, black panther, Bengal tiger, white […]

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Frito-Lay revisits compostable packaging with quieter design

Frito-Lay revisits compostable packaging with quieter design

March 28, 2022 |

In Texas, snack giant Frito-Lay has introduced 100% biobased packaging that is industrially compostable and—unlike its first foray into renewable packaging—quiet.  Developed in partnership with Printpack, the bags are made of non-food, plant-based materials with newly developed compostable inks. A QR code directs consumers on locating composting drop-off sites or how to obtain a prepaid […]

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Neiman Marcus to phase out fur, eyes plant-based alternatives

Neiman Marcus to phase out fur, eyes plant-based alternatives

March 28, 2022 |

In Texas, department store Neiman Marcus—one of the one’s largest fur sellers—is phasing out the high-end material in favor of slaughter-free alternatives. The company expects to stop selling fur entirely by March 2023.  CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck recently told Vogue Business that Neiman Marcus’s fur operations are “a small but real part of our business […]

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Femtech startup raises cash for seaweed-based tampons

Femtech startup raises cash for seaweed-based tampons

March 28, 2022 |

In Berlin, startup Vyld has closed a pre-seed fund raise to scale up production of tampons made from seaweed.  “Algae are already used in over 70% of all processed foods due to their many beneficial features,” says Vyld founder Ines Schiller. “We want to use these amazing unique advantages for period products where they will […]

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California company claims world’s first biodegradable sneaker

California company claims world’s first biodegradable sneaker

March 28, 2022 |

In California, new sustainable footwear brand Blueview has launched what it claims to be the world’s first biodegradable shoe.  Dubbed Blueview Pacific and retailing for $135, the sneaker features Soleic renewable polyurethane foam for arch support, cupsole, and outsole and PlantKnit, the world’s first plant-based and fully biodegradable machine knitted shoe upper. A canvas strap […]

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Braskem and Sojitz aim to build three biobased MEG and PET plants

Braskem and Sojitz aim to build three biobased MEG and PET plants

March 28, 2022 |

In Brazil, Braskem and Sojitz Corporation have partnered to produce biobased monoethylene glycol and monopropylene glycol. Subject to the conclusion of technology development in 2022, the business plan includes the construction of three industrial units, with the startup of the first plant in 2025.  The joint venture will combine Braskem’s expertise in the industrial production […]

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Fa-brew-less idea: Dutch company to repurpose coffee grounds

Fa-brew-less idea: Dutch company to repurpose coffee grounds

March 28, 2022 |

In Amsterdam, Caffe Inc. is building a $4.4 million refinery to convert used coffee grounds into oils that can be used in personal care products like creams and shampoos, blocks that can be used in construction, and colorants for multiple commercial uses.  Once operational, cofounders Josephine Nijstad and Evaluna Marquez expect the operations to reduce […]

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Natalie Portman invests in alternative meat  

Natalie Portman invests in alternative meat  

March 28, 2022 |

In Boston, a startup pursuing whole-cut meats from plants has raised $12 million with participation from actress Natalie Portman.  Formerly named Boston Meats, the company uses technology licensed from Harvard University to spin plant proteins into faux meat that resembles muscle cuts. To date, it has developed beef steaks, pulled pork and chicken breast. The […]

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Let them eat macarons: Animal-free egg whites to debut in demanding baking application

Let them eat macarons: Animal-free egg whites to debut in demanding baking application

March 28, 2022 |

In San Francisco, precision fermentation firm The EVERY Co. has unveiled animal-free egg whites and will soon prove their alternative’s “whipping and gelling” properties versus regular eggs via a partnership with a noted macaron maker.  According to The EVERY Co., EVERY EggWhite has the same height, foam stability, aeration and texture. Chantal Guillon, a San […]

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Bee-free honey maker generates buzz with $7.5 million fundraise

Bee-free honey maker generates buzz with $7.5 million fundraise

March 21, 2022 |

In San Francisco, bee-free honey startup MeliBio has raised $7.5 million to scale and commercialize its technology.  The company uses precision fermentation and plant science to manufacture honey. “We know that science can produce delicious and nutritious honey, which is molecularly identical to traditional honey, at no cost to our precious bees,” says honey industry […]

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