In the Netherlands, Geneus Biotech is using cellular agriculture technology to “bioprint” fur that could replace the controversial mink farming industry. Dubbed Furoid, the lab-grown fur is 100% animal free. “Furoid’s intention fits in with the recent attempts by cellular food companies to create foods such as caviar, foie gras and wagyu beef that are […]
In Germany, luxury automaker BMW has said renewable materials will play a large role in its plans to cut its carbon footprint by 2030. The company says it will focus R&D on “environmentally-compatible raw materials” and will work with both startups and established suppliers to develop “pioneering” materials. “We are setting new standards for sustainable […]
In San Francisco, sustainability-focused shoe brand Allbirds has filed for an initial public offering ahead of a large retail expansion. The company, which is known for its trendy sneakers made of wool and other natural and recycled materials, has applied to list Class A common stock under the ticker BIRD on the Nasdaq. The […]
In Finland, researchers at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland have created a cellulose-based nanocomposite inspired by the ultra-strong clubs shrimp use to pulverize prey such as clams. VTT says the material, made from a mixture of birch-cellulose and genetically engineered proteins, can be used to make dental implant crowns. Being stronger but much lighter […]
In India, GSK Consumer Healthcare says it has launched the world’s first carbon-neutral toothbrush. Made in the classic “Dr.Best” style, the toothbrush is made of cellulose; a bioplastic produced using paper production byproducts; and castor oil material for the bristles. The materials cut the carbon footprint of the toothbrush in half compared to a standard […]
In Japan, scientists have successfully grown wagyu—a premium variety of beef known for its marbling and tenderness—in a lab. Using cells taken from a cow’s cheek and artificial collagen tendon tissue, professor Michiya Matsusaki and colleagues at Osaka University were able to 3D bioprint a 5×5 mm cube of meat resembling wagyu. “We wanted to […]
In Qatar, food tech Eat Just is planning to build a production plant for cultured chicken and vegan eggs. Doha Venture Capital contributed a “relevant chunk” of the financing for the $200-million plant, which will take about two years to build, Eat Just CEO Josh Tetrick tells Bloomberg. The new plant will be also be […]
In Singapore, startup Insectta is using black soldier fly larva to turn food waste into usable materials, including high-value ingredients used in markets like personal care. Founded in 2017 by Chua Kai-Ning Chua and Phua Jun Wei, Insectta uses waste from soybean factories and breweries to cultivate maggots. The insects can be freeze dried into […]
In Oregon, Nike is working with Newlight Technologies to explore the possibility of producing sneakers and apparel that actually sequester carbon instead of releasing it. The partnership will look at using Newlight’s AirCarbon material, which is a biomaterial made from methane that escapes from defunct coal mines. According to Newlight, for every 1 kilogram of […]
In Chicago, design student Gabe Tavas has been awarded the prestigious James Dyson award for developing a process to convert kombucha waste into an alternative for wood, including exotic and endangered species. Dubbed Pyrus, the material is made from a sheet of bacterial cellulose that is a byproduct of kombucha production. Tavas created the first […]
