In South Carolina, Tidal Vision is building a production plant to manufacture textile treatments made from chitosan, a seafood industry byproduct from the shells of crabs and shrimp. Dubbed Tidal-Tex, the treatment is a drop-in replacement for the harmful chemicals often used in current textile treatments. “Our proprietary lower-cost chitosan technology, combined with lower freight […]
In India, Clariant and India Glycols have established a joint venture to produce biobased ethylene oxide derivatives for the Indian home and personal care markets. The JV, Clariant IGL Specialty Chemicals Private Limited, is 51% owned by Clariant and has about 200 employees. It combines India Glycols’ biobased EO derivatives business, which operates an alkoxylation […]
In Italy, architect Alberto Roncelli has proposed an innovative solution to jump-starting forest regeneration after forest fires. Dubbed Regenera, the 80-meter-tall building is actually designed to break down, spreading seeds and nutrients to help accelerate new growth. The structure also provides a safe haven for small animals and birds. “Regenera proposes a new paradigm that […]
In California, cultured seafood company Wildtype is set to open a new facility that can, at full scale, produce 200,000 pounds of cell-based, sushi-grade salmon annually. The company will also open an adjacent education center and sushi tasting room. The San Francisco facility is expected to open in the next 2 to 3 months. “Global […]
In France, sneaker startup MoEa is using pretty much all of the vegan leathers available to date, including materials made from apples, pineapple, corn, cactus, and grape. The apple and grape leathers are sourced from juice industry waste, the cactus and corn leathers are made from discarded skin, and the pineapple leather is made from […]
In Australia, Baxter Blue has become the latest high-end eyewear company offering compostable, plant-based frames. The company is using biobased acetate, which it says composts in as little as 115 days, or roughly the same amount of time as a coffee cup. The company modestly suggests, however, that its frames are so stylish most consumers […]
In Germany, startup Made of Air says it has developed a bioplastic derived from burnt plant and forestry waste, also known as biochar, that can be used in a broad range of end products. Because the raw materials are plants that sequester carbon dioxide during their growth, the company is claiming its product is carbon-negative—essentially […]
In California, popular outdoor gear brand Patagonia has signed an offtake agreement for a textile fiber made from cotton textile waste. Dubbed Infinna, the circular process is being commercialized by Finland’s Infinited Fiber Company. The process involves breaking down cotton-rich textile waste to cellulose and forming new fibers. “We are humbled by their stamp of […]
In Denmark, a company developing fermentation-based vegan food colorants has raised €6 million (US$7.14 million) in a seed funding round, bringing its total funding to date to €10 million. Chromologics was spun out of the Technical University of Denmark four years ago. The company aims to supplant animal-based food colorants as well as plant-based sources, […]
In Delaware, DuPont Biomaterials has announced a collaboration in which JayaShree Textiles will launch a sustainable fabric collection incorporating DuPont’s renewable Sorona fibers. JayaShree, which is part of the Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, will blend Sorona with linens to create garments with “exceptional stretch and recovery, luxurious drape, and a smooth, soft hand feel.” […]
