Author Archive: Rebecca Gendron

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Popular diaper brand goes plant-based

Popular diaper brand goes plant-based

November 2, 2020 |

In Cincinnati, ubiquitous diaper brand Pampers says its new Pampers Pure line features a plant-based liner enriched with shea butter, a 100% renewable moisturizer derived from the fat of the shea nut. Procter & Gamble, which produces Pampers, says the enriched liner “helps keep baby’s skin hydrated while also serving as a barrier between the […]

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North Carolina company to launch plant-based hair

North Carolina company to launch plant-based hair

November 2, 2020 |

In North Carolina, a local entrepreneur has developed synthetic hair made from natural materials. Ciara May tells bizjournals her company, Rebundle, was founded in 2019 to replace the synthetic hair extensions commonly used by black women for braiding with a biodegradable alternative that does not contain irritants or toxic chemicals. “Last summer I experienced severe […]

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Kalion wins DOE grant to advance glucaric acid

Kalion wins DOE grant to advance glucaric acid

November 2, 2020 |

In Massachusetts, bioengineering company Kalion has been picked to receive $5.7 million in US Department of Energy Funding to work jointly with the Agile BioFoundry to advance biobased glucaric acid. Working with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory from the ABF consortium, Kalion Inc. will […]

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Steaks in space: Foodtech eyes cultured meat for astronauts

Steaks in space: Foodtech eyes cultured meat for astronauts

October 26, 2020 |

In Israel, cultured meat startup Aleph Farms has formed the Aleph Zero cultured meat project to  one day enable astronauts to enjoy steak on a Mars mission, without the hassle of sending an actual cow into space. A key challenge of long-distance space exploration is the need to cultivate food in difficult environments. Sending bovine […]

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Protecting Japan’s sacred deer with edible bags

Protecting Japan’s sacred deer with edible bags

October 26, 2020 |

In Nara, Japan, a local man has created an edible packaging material from rice bran and milk cartons after several of the city’s sacred deer died after ingesting plastic bags. Hidetoshi Matsukawa, a souvenir wholesaler at the popular tourist destination, developed Shikagami, or deer paper, in partnership with a local design firm and paper company. […]

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Worth a shot: Bacardi to launch biodegradable spirits bottle

Worth a shot: Bacardi to launch biodegradable spirits bottle

October 26, 2020 |

In Bermuda, spirituous beverage giant Bacardi has announced it will launch polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastic bottles that biodegrade in 18 months. The new packaging, which will be on shelves by 2023, will eliminate 3,000 tons of plastic from circulation. BACARDI rum  will be the first spirit to appear in the new bottle, before the new material […]

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Young entrepreneurs develop plant-based hair extensions

Young entrepreneurs develop plant-based hair extensions

October 26, 2020 |

In Detroit, two University of Michigan graduates have developed a process to convert a nuisance plant into environmentally-friendly hair extensions. Nana Britwum and Jannice Newson tell Crain’s they founded their company, Lillian Augusta, to commercialize “hair without harm.” Formulated for black women, the extensions use phragmites, an invasive plant with fibrous characteristics. Britwun and Newson […]

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Biobased sneaker pioneer Allbirds to expand into apparel

Biobased sneaker pioneer Allbirds to expand into apparel

October 26, 2020 |

In New Zealand, green sneaker pioneer and fashion favorite Allbirds says it is expanding its product line into clothing. The new collection will include a T-shirt made from waste shellfish, sweaters made from merino wool, and a puffer coat comprised of merino wool, recycled materials, and renewable Tencel fiber. The company claims the T-shirt material, […]

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Meat-Tech invests in cultured fat firm Peace of Meat

Meat-Tech invests in cultured fat firm Peace of Meat

October 26, 2020 |

In Israel, cell-based meat production firm Meat-Tech 3D Ltd has invested €1 million (USD$1.2 million) in Peace of Meat, a cultured fat developer, and, pending milestone achievements, announced plans to acquire the entire company for about $17.5 million over the next two years. Peace of Meat, based in Antwerp, Belgium, has developed a stem-cell-based technology […]

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Sustainability veteran joins board of pea-based plastic startup

Sustainability veteran joins board of pea-based plastic startup

October 26, 2020 |

In the United Kingdom, a University of Cambridge spinout making single-use plastic out of pea proteins has appointed a Unilever sustainability veteran as chairman. Jeff Seabright, who worked for the consumer goods giant from 2014-2019 and later cofounded sustainability consulting  firm IMAGINE, has joined Xampla’s board to help the company bring its biodegradable plastic to […]

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