In Finland, a documentary film detailing the process of making the Korvaa concept shoe out of mycelium, bacterial nanocellulose, and biodegradable plastics, will be shown at a major – but undisclosed – film festival later this year. Dubbed Planet of the Microbes, the film was shot by Finland-based Photino Science Communications. The shoe itself – […]
In China and Australia, researchers have developed a new bioplastic that could make buildings more reflective, reducing the indoor temperature without consuming any energy. The material is the commonly used bioplastic polylactic acid, but produced using a low-temperature separation technique that renders the material very reflective. According to IFLScience, when used as a film, the […]
In Belgium, designer Björn Van Egroo has conceptualized a biodegradable alternative for packaging Nintendo’s latest Switch system. The design was created from a 3D rendering and did not include any input or invitation from the Kyoto video game and console maker. Despite this, Yanko Design called it game-changing. “You don’t need to mold plastic blister […]
In Nepal, four former British special forces soldiers were outfitted with bioplastic sunglasses from Teysha Technologies as they set a mountaineering record for traveling from the UK to the summit of Everest and back again in under 7 days. The Mission: Everest team was comprised of Kevin Godlington, Veterans Minister Colonel Al Carns, Major Garth […]
In Texas, a startup has introduced a new diaper concept that aims to address one of the biggest challenges parents face: balancing sustainability with convenience. Based in Austin, Hiro Technologies tells Reuters parents simply add a packet of its fungi to the used MycoDigestible Diaper. The moisture-activated fungi begins eating the diaper after a few […]
In California, sustainable material firm von Holzhausen has made a 100% biodegradable and plastic-free shoe from Liquidplant™, a polyurethane-like material developed in house out of sugar and seeds. von Holzhausen said the Ripple Shoe “is more than a product. It’s the first case study in a new strategic direction for von Holzhausen. A broader rollout […]
In Germany, outdoor brand VAUDE has partnered with BASF to unveil the TRAILCONTROL ZERO 20+, the first bike backpack made using Ultramid® ZeroPCF, a polyamide 6 with biobased, mass-balanced material. The biobased content comes from used cooking oil. The carbon footprint of the material is further reduced by BASF’s use of the Hollandse Kust Zuid […]
In France, biobased carboxylic acids firm Afyren reports its first facility has achieved continuous production. The Carling Saint-Avold, France fermentation plant is owned by the Afyren Neoxy joint venture between Afyren and Bpifrance’s SPI Fund. It manufactures several biobased acids for a number of markets, including cosmetics, food, and lubricants. “The transition to continuous production […]
In France, foodtech startup Fungu’it has raised €4 million (US$4.6 million) to build a pilot plant to demonstrate its solid-state, fungi-fermentation platform for producing natural flavorings. The company uses filamentous fungi to upcycle agricultural by-products, including flaxseed, sunflower press cakes, and legumes, natural flavorings. Through solid-state fermentation, these waste are converted into high-value ingredients with […]
In Finland, tire materials innovator Black Donuts has launched InTire Labs, a collaborative R&D hub focused on developing sustainable, biobased materials for tire manufacturing. The new center aims to replace fossil-derived compounds with renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable alternatives, targeting a reduction in microplastic emissions from tire wear. Equipped with advanced testing and pilot-scale production tools, […]
