In Vancouver, online publication Yanko Design has done a deep dive on cork, the spongey bark material most often associated with wine. The extensive list of innovative uses demonstrate the design community’s interest in cork’s unique properties and point to growing use of cork in everyday life. Designers Ivo Erichsen and Tobbias Bihlmeyer present probably […]
In Mexico, Adidas is using a cactus-based leather alternative in a new line of boxing gloves. The material, called Desserto, uses prickly pear cactus as feedstock and was invented in 2019 by Adrian Lopez and Marte Cazarez. The Adidas gloves are part of a new Tilt 350 boxing glove design that aims to better protect […]
In London, fashion brand Auroboros has designed a “living” concept dress from salt and recycled plastic that grows, changes color and shape in response to conditions, and will eventually fall apart. The dress, called Biomimicry, is being worn by a robot at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as part of London Design Week. […]
In Paris, iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton has introduced a unisex sneaker made from 90% recycled and biobased materials. The pricey kicks, named Charlie, feature an upper made from Biopoliolo, a corn based plastic; a tongue patch made of Econyl biobased nylon; a sole made almost entirely of recycled rubber; and laces with recycled fiber. […]
In New Hampshire, popular urban boot brand Timberland has launched an eyewear line that uses biobased materials and plants trees for every purchase. Available in both corrective frames and sunglasses, the shades are relatively affordable as far as the category goes. A sporty pair in a panto shape will set you back $130 and […]
In Finland, a lignin-based material developed by Stora Enso for use in lithium-ion batteries has won the prestigious Metsä360 award. Dubbed Lignode, the material is made using a pulp mill byproduct from Stora Enso’s Sunila Mill site at Kotka, Finland. Because lithium-ion batteries are a high-tech application with potential in many markets, the innovation represents […]
In Paris, venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners has raised €150 million ($168 million) for its third industrial biotech fund dedicated to early-stage, environmental impact investments. The fund will continue to finance early-stage companies harnessing biotechnology to develop sustainable solutions across the food, agriculture, chemical and materials sectors. The current portfolio includes companies developing biobased crop […]
In Australia, Emile Theau has won the inaugural Generation Impact Incubator Award for his surfboard enterprise using fast-growing paulownia wood. Designed in partnership with environmental scientist Alastair Pilley, the boards are 95% biodegradable. “Most wooden boards today still use foam and fiberglass with no sustainable advantage,” Theau tells GearJunkie. “It’s clear that we need an […]
In Spain, leading meat processor JBS is taking a majority stake in cultured meat startup BioTech Foods. The deal, which marks JBS’s entry into to the lab-grown meat market, is part of a $100 million investment in the sector. Just over $40 million of the funds will be used to construct a 1,000 tons/year cultivated […]
In New York, long-standing natural skincare brand Origins has tapped urban framer/mushroom expert Indy Officinalis as a global influencer partner. Officinalis will help support Origins’ Green the Planet global ecosystem restoration and environmental justice support program, as well as appear in ad campaigns for the brand’s Mega Mushroom and GinZing lines of products. “We are […]
