In Finland, oil company Neste has announced a performance improvement program that includes deemphasizing renewable chemicals. The company cites a significantly changed market environment and weakened financial performance for the strategic shift. “Our current financial performance is weak and not sustainable,” said Neste’s President and CEO Heikki Malinen in a press statement. “Therefore, we must […]
In Baton Rouge, a team at Louisiana State University is hoping to scale production of biodegradable, seed-infused Mardi Gras beads to make the state’s decadent “Fat Tuesday” celebrations more sustainable. Graduate student Alexis Strain told WBRZ that biodegradable Mardi Gras beads have been an ongoing project at the university since 2016, and in 2024, the […]
In Germany, mountaineering equipment firm Edelrid has introduced climbing rope made from castor oil. Birdlime 1R 9.8 climbing rope uses polyamide-11 made from castor oil in a process that dates back 80 years. However, the company acknowledges that it is more expensive than petrochemically produced polyamide-6, the traditional material for climbing rope. The biobased rope […]
In Colorado, popular skater shoe band Vans has debuted a premium “Old Skool” collection that features biobased materials. First released in 1977, Vans’ Old Skool design, also known as Style 36, would go on to be one of the brand’s most iconic skate shoes and was the first to feature its distinctive Sidestripe™. The first […]
In South Korea, LG Chem has begun producing 100% biobased acrylic acid and expects to ramp up to prototype production of 100 metric tons of material annually in the second quarter of this year. LG Chem’s biobased acrylic acid is made from 3-hydroxypropionic acid, produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials. The product retains […]
In Pennsylvania, Parcel Health has developed 100% recyclable, paper-based prescription bottles. Dubbed Tully Tubes, the bottles are certified by the US FDA for use in food and medicine. Apart from the child-resistant cap—required for safety purposes—the bottles are made from sustainably sourced paper. The triple-layered bottles are also resistant to water, humidity and heat to […]
In China, researchers from the Central South University of Forestry and Technology in Changsha have developed an alternative to plastic straws made from de-lignified natural wood infused with chitosan. To create the all-natural straws, a delignified wood slice was cut into strips measuring 3×15 cm and then soaked in a chitosan solution. The chitosan slowly […]
In California, sweet protein startup Oobli has partnered with Ingredion to accelerate access to affordable and healthier sweetener systems. Sweet proteins can be a foundational part of any combination of sweetener ingredients in food and beverages, including sodas, baked goods, yogurts, and candies, according to an Oobli press release. Sweet proteins can also be used […]
In the United Kingdom, Meatly has introduced Chick Bites, a hybrid dog treat made by pet food startup The Pack, at Pets at Home. The launch of Chick Bites, a blend of cultivated chicken and plant-based ingredients, is a global industry first. “Just two years ago, this felt like a moonshot. Today, we take off,” […]
In Colorado, pickleball supplier Komodo has launched Komodo BioBall, a new, biodegradable pickleball. While the company did not disclose the material, it claims the balls break down in 3-5 years and even hold up for more matches than conventional pickleballs. Approximately 500 million pickleballs are produced every year. Pickleball retailer Dink tested the balls and […]
