In the Philippines, a natural fiber already used to produce tea bags and Japanese currency could be used to produce biodegradable personal protective equipment for preventing COVID-19 infection. “With this pandemic, if we all buy masks made of synthetic fiber, they will pile up in dumpsites because they take so long to decompose,” Philippine Fibre […]
In California, Advanced BioCatalytics says it has received the coveted EPA Safer Choice Approval for Glucospike, a microbiology-based surfactant for cleaning applications. To qualify for the Safer Choice label, a product must meet EPA’s Safer Choice Standard, which includes stringent human and environmental health criteria. “At [Advanced BioCatalytics] ABC we have been building surfactant-based applications, […]
In California, food technology firm Perfect Day has expanded into animal-free dairy ice cream. Dubbed Brave Robot, the company uses genetically modified microflora to produce milk proteins casein and whey. After adding plant fats and other ingredients, the company is able to replicate the taste and consistency of dairy-based ice cream. Flavors include Vanilla, Buttery […]
In Israel, winners of Calcalist’s Food Innovation contest for best startup working in food technology has named 11 finalists, including a handful of biotech solutions. The finalists include Amai Proteins, founded by Ilan Samish, who says the company is the first to apply “designer” protein technology to sweeteners, and SavorEat Ltd., a company combining 3D […]
In Switzerland, textile company HeiQ is seeing an uptick in interest for its virus-killing technology. Two fashion brands, Warp + Weft and DL1961, have begun using HeiQ’s Viroblock, which imparts sanitizing properties to jeans and creates a germ-resistant surface. Certified 72% biobased, Viroblock is added during the manufacturing process and kills 99.9% of COVID-19 within […]
In New Jersey, Lycored, a company commercializing pigments and health supplements based on lycopene, has invested millions to more than double production. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red produce. The investment included a new production facility in Branchburg, New Jersey that will help support expansion into new markets globally. “The expansion […]
In the Netherlands, footwear company Mercer Amsterdam has announced it will launch a sneaker made from wine waste, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, and algae-based ethylene vinyl acetate. Dubbed W3RD Wine Pack, Mercer Amsterdam partnered with Vegea for the wine waste material. The company says the soft vegan leather is made from the waste skins, stalks, and […]
In France, shoe brand Veja is set to launch a vegan sneaker manufactured using corn waste. Dubbed Urca, the shoe is the next generation of Veja’s V-12 leather trainers. The vegan leather is made from 50% corn waste and waxed canvas, while the laces are organic cotton. The sneakers are part of the company’s fall/winter […]
In California, CAGE Bio Inc. says it has discovered a novel hand sanitizer that kills germs on contact and provides more than four hours of protection against COVID-19. The sanitizer contains ethyl alcohol to remove contamination and a proprietary ionic liquid technology comprised of natural compounds—called IonLast—that extends antiviral protection. Conventional hand sanitizers only offer […]
In Germany, a recent trade show has illustrated how “all in” the home goods is on incorporating renewable materials into products. Heimtextil 2020, held in pre-pandemic Frankfurt, featured products manufactured using everything from banana waste to fig bark. Qwstion, headquartered Switzerland, showcased cloth totes made with its Banatex-brand banana-plant fiber, while the Netherland’s Nienk Hoogvliet […]
