In Finland, Kyrö Distillery has chosen circular, biobased foam packaging for an upcoming whisky-tasting set inspired by the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Founded in 2022, Woamy is an Aalto University spin-out and operates a production line in Espoo. The foam is made from cellulose, wood waste, and agricultural waste. “Woamy was chosen because of […]
In Virginia, ubiquitous color-coated chocolate candy M&M’s has made the switch to natural food dyes, in line with Make America Healthy Again goals, but are—for now—missing the blue and brown colors of its iconic six-color palette. Inc. reported that the company was unable to recreate the blue and brown colors for a reasonable cost. Alternatives […]
In Portugal, Amble, a mobility company focused on lightweight electric vehicles, has created a cork-detailed buggy designed for short trips around campuses and resorts. Dubbed Amble One, the “buggy” is speed capped at 40 mph and was designed by experts across hospitality, industrial design, and e-bikes. Notably, the team included industrial designer Julian Hoenig, who has […]
In Arizona, mattress maker Leesa Sleep has introduced GreenFlex® Foam, a plant-based polyols foam developed entirely in-house. Most foam mattresses on the market rely entirely on petroleum-derived materials. GreenFlex foam is produced from crops grown on marginal land, and unlike typical soy‑based biobased foams that use only about 14% of the plant’s oil, GreenFlex delivers a […]
In Minnesota, gun care chemicals maker Birchwood Casey has introduced a 100% biodegradable gun cleaner made from non-petroleum formulations. Gun cleaners remove fouling, residue, and buildup from the internal and external surfaces of a firearm so it can operate safely and reliably. The non-corrosive Synvex™ line is formulated to be safe on the skin. Synvex Carbon […]
In Connecticut, designer Justin Wan has created a desk lamp made of luffa fruit and the mycelium. Dubbed GOURDO, the process of designing and producing the lamp “examines how these two organic materials can interlock to form a structural and light-filtering material for product design,” according to a write up in design publication dezeen. Luffa—often spelled […]
In Massachusetts, a team of researchers has combined sawdust, cellulose binders, and beeswax into an eco-friendly foam capable of replacing petroleum-based polystyrene. In the lab, Todd Emrick and Isha Farook, both polymer scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, together with colleagues blended sawdust with different combinations of cellulose binders and cross-linking ingredients. Then the […]
In the Netherlands, a consortium of public and private entities is working to prove that a potato-processing side stream can be converted into renewable chemicals. Dubbed PACE, short for Potato Juice to Fatty Acids for New Bio-based Value-Chains in Europe, the consortium will retrofit a plant owned by potato-starch cooperative Royal Avebe. Using advanced fermentation […]
In the United Kingdom, archaeologists and engineers have collaborated to create a 3D-printed replica of the Roman board game Ludus Latrunculorum using polylactic acid bioplastic filament. The team was comprised of researchers from Newcastle University and Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort in Northern England that excavated the replicated game board in 2019. Similar to chess, […]
In Switzerland, artist Saype is using biodegradable pigments such as charcoal, chalk and milk proteins to create 20 massive and biodegradable landart paintings. Dubbed the “Beyond walls Project, the massive work shows interlaced hands “reaching out, shaking and united in a common effort beyond all walls separating humans and enclosing them in mental or geographical […]
