In Germany, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf and LEKI Lenhart GmbH have created a hiking pole made from hemp and other raw materials. They hope the concept will demonstrate sustainable materials’ suitability for demanding outdoor recreation markets. Using pultrusion, the hiking pole’s shaft was made from regionally harvested hemp fibers. The […]
In North Carolina, designer Gabriel Mejia-Estrella has created a working synthesizer made from cardboard and walnut. A recent graduate in Music Technology from University of North Carolina Asheville, Mejia-Estrella was inspired to create the unique synth because unlike elegant and often aesthetically pleasing instruments like guitars or pianos, traditional synths are largely unattractive, more akin […]
In Florida, a company named Peelware has created a new concept in disposable plates: renewable “stacked” paper plates where you simply peel off the dirtied top plate to reveal clean plates underneath. Dubbed Peel Plate, the stack is comprised of 15 ultra-thin peelable layers, with a thick base to keep structural integrity. The material is […]
In Dubai, Emirates Biotech has introduced a range of polylactic acid biopolymers, with pre-marketing beginning for customers throughout the Middle East. Dubbed Embio, the early volumes will make it easier for regional converters, brand owners, and packaging manufacturers to begin application development. The Embio portfolio PLA grades suitable for rigid and flexible packaging, coated paperboard, […]
In China, Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber and Composite Materials Technology Innovation Center and Michelin (Shanghai) Polymers Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the French tire giant, have partnered to jointly develop high-performance biobased composites. The partnership will leverage CCIC’s platform resources for research, development, and industrialization of biobased resin systems and Michelin’s ResiCare technology, which […]
In Denmark, Chromologics has raised €7 million (US$8.1 million) to advance its fermentation-based food colors toward commercialization. Specifically, the funds will be used to complete regulatory submissions for its Natu.Red® red dye with the European Food Safety Authority and the US Food and Drug Administration. It will also support launch and scale-up. Participants in the […]
In Thailand, chemical giant BASF has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility for the biobased surfactant alkyl polyglucoside. APGs are biobased, readily biodegradable, mild secondary surfactants. The investment at Bangpakong strengthens BASF’s position in a growth geography and serves customers with greater agility and more flexibility, according to a press statement. “This investment reinforces our commitment […]
In California, materials innovator Cambium was awarded a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to build artificial intelligence capabilities for identifying novel “bio-enabled extreme-performance” polymer composites. The project will use generative AI to overcome the long-standing trade-off between thermal stability and mechanical strength in structural composites. Cambium and DARPA seek to identify commercially […]
In the Netherlands, lab-grown leather startup Qorium has raised $25 million to increase its production capabilities and continue to establish commercial partnerships in high-end fashion and automotive. Qorium’s technology cultivates cells from cows to produce leather. Compared to conventional leather, Qorium’s product uses 99% less water and 66% less energy. Participants in the Series A funding include […]
In Denmark, Michelin star-mainstay Noma has partnered with biosolutions leader Novonesis to determine the potential of new biobased food ingredients within the Noma Projects line. The partnership combines Noma’s creativity with Novonesis’ expertise in microbiology. The partnership, which they say will take “deliciousness to the next level,” unites chefs and scientists to accelerate breakthroughs from […]
