In Hawaii, biotech startup Kuehnle AgroSystems has closed a multi-million-dollar Series B funding round. The company will use the funds to expand production of the antioxidant astaxanthin for human nutrition. Natural astaxanthin is found in high concentrations in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. Kuehnle AgroSystems uses dark fermentation and patented algal strains to increase production efficiency […]
In Mexico, biomaterials firm Polybion and design studio Natural Urbano have introduced Cenit, a made-to-order lighting collection that combines natural ash with Celium, Polybion’s cultivated cellulose material grown from agricultural fruit waste. Building on the partners’ Lapso lighting exhibit at London Design Festival, Cenit explores the use of renewable materials in interior design through pendant […]
In the United Kingdom, a company converting wetland plants into a goose down alternative has been awarded a £2.4 million (US$3.19 million) grant. Ponda will use the funds to grow broadleaf cattail on restored wetland, keeping carbon stored in soil. The material is trade-named BioPuff and has already attracted interest from sustainable fashion houses Stella […]
In London, Audrey Levy has “grown” a compostable refrigerator out of bacterial cellulose and felted wool as a senior project for the prestigious design school Central Saint Martins. Dubbed Xero Cool, Levy imagines cooling the soft capsule with solar thermal energy, where a rooftop solar collector captures the sun’s heat and uses it to power […]
In Missouri, researchers have converted corn into a natural alternative for purple artificial food dyes. A team with University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources have created a line of anthocyanins from purple corn traditionally grown in South America. The pigment is found in the kernel’s outer layer, or pericarp. “It’s the layer […]
In France, flavors and fragrances major Symrise has signed a put option agreement to acquire Floral Concept, a premium natural ingredients house for fragrances headquartered in Saint-Cezaire-sur-Siagne. Financial terms were not disclosed. Floral Concept’s portfolio includes natural fragrance ingredients derived from some of perfumery’s most valued botanicals, including jasmine, rose, orange blossom, ambrette and blackcurrant. […]
In the United Kingdom, biodesigner Lucia Giron and the University of Cambridge’s Department of Biochemistry have created a series of algae-based battery prototypes. A specialized semi-permeable membrane enables gas exchange while limiting evaporation, while a filament-like electrode structure provides a textured surface for algae to attach and integrate, bringing the biological and electrical components into […]
In Switzerland, flooring manufacturer Forbo is converting agricultural waste into a renewable flooring solution with Marmoleum Cocoa, a version of its Marmoleum flooring that incorporates discarded cocoa shells from cacao production. Marmoleum Cocoa is made with up to 98% natural raw materials, including linseed oil, wood flour, jute, and reclaimed cocoa shells sourced through Netherlands-based […]
In Estonia, state-owned applied research center and central metrology authority Metrosert has signed a €2 million (US$1.14 million) contract with construction company Savekate OÜ to establish a synthetic biology pilot plant. The pilot facility will give biotechnology companies a previously unavailable opportunity to test and develop new production processes before making major industrial investments, helping […]
In Indonesia, researchers at Hasanuddin University researchers have developed a biodegradable multilayer polylactic acid film reinforced with coconut water-derived cellulose and butylated hydroxytoluene. The team believes its oxygen-scavenging and mechanical properties make it a viable alternative for most plastic packaging. The scientists produced bacterial cellulose by fermenting coconut water using a process similar to that […]
