In Germany, cleaning products giant Henkel is using biobased plastic from Houston’s LyondellBasell in its toilet cleaner packaging. The packaging will specifically use LyondellBasell’s CirculenRenew for the transparent plastic cage of Henkel’s WC Frisch/Bref solid toilet rim blocks. CirculenRenew polymers are made from renewable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, through a mass balance approach […]
In New York, a new innovation hub aims to bring biobased material innovations to New York City industries such as fashion and construction. Located at Harlem Biospace, Gotham Foundry is funded by a $45-million New York City Economic Development Corporation grant and is located at Harlem Biospace on West 127th street. It is led by […]
In Europe, a consortium of researchers looking for animal-free leather alternatives produced using cellulose or cyanophycin as feedstock has been awarded a €3.5 million (US$4.087 million). Dubbed FABULOSE, the group is comprised of 11 European partners, including German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research, Melina Bucher, Novis Biobased technology Gmbh, and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum. The […]
In California, industrial biomanufacturing leader Genomatica has entered into a partnership with Sojitz Corporation to accelerate the commercialization of plant-based nylon-6 based on Genomatica’s technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Genomatica will seek to establish a consortium of industry leaders focused on creating a separate entity for the flagship commercial plant with Sojitz. Sojitz […]
In the UK, Celtic Renewables has partnered with Enzyme Supplies Ltd. in a deal that marries Enzyme Supplies’ enzyme formulations with Celtic Renewables’ award-winning biorefining process for producing biobased chemicals from by-products and waste. At the core of this partnership is Enzyme Supplies’ tailored enzymatic solutions, which are now being integrated into Celtic Renewables’ acetone-butanol-ethanol […]
In Ontario, EcoSynthetix has announced that two new tissue lines in Europe are using its SurfLock™-brand biobased strength aids. The contract wins were a result of a distributor relationship with the RNM Group that recently begun to work with EcoSynthetix to support commercialization activities. SurfLock increases fiber to fiber interaction in paper-based applications, such paperboard, […]
In the United Kingdom, water treatment company United Utilities is trialing a process at its Blackburn sewage works to extract glucose from used toilet paper. The glucose can then be used as feedstock for fermentation-based production. TP recovery starts with filtering and compaction steps. The TP is then treated with enzymes to create a cellulose-rich […]
In New York, sustainability-focused designer Stella McCartney used faux feathers made from plant-based materials in fashions exhibited at the recent Paris Fashion Week. Produced by United Kingdom’s Fevvers, the material mimic the “fluffy look and billowing movement” of natural feathers—without the need to harm birds. “I’ve been having the conversation about not killing cows and […]
In Germany, Artificial Nature S.L. has scaled up production of its biobased and biodegradable copolyester PLH to 300 metric tons per year. The milestone was achieved in collaboration with an unnamed industrial partner at Germany’s Leverkusen Chempark. Dubbed Dan*na, PLH boasts roughly a quarter of the CO2 emissions of its petroleum-based counterparts. It is made […]
In California, biotech companies Michroma and CJ CheilJedang have partnered to advance commercial manufacturing of Michroma’s biotech-based colorants. The collaboration will harness CJCJ’s manufacturing capabilities in key global locations, including Indonesia, China, Malaysia, the United States, Brazil, and South Korea. By utilizing CJCJ’s geographically diverse operations, Michroma will ensure a steady, scalable, and reliable supply […]
