Author Archive: Rebecca Gendron

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Amazon trials biobased delivery bags in Spain

Amazon trials biobased delivery bags in Spain

January 20, 2025 |

In Spain, e-commerce giant Amazon is packing and delivering groceries for Valencia customers using biobased bags made from vegetable materials, including corn starch and vegetable oils. The new, recyclable bags were developed by materials experts at Italian company Novamont, part of ENI-owned Versalis, with support from materials scientists at Amazon.  The bags are durable, food […]

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Nebraska lawmaker moves to ban cultivated meat

Nebraska lawmaker moves to ban cultivated meat

January 20, 2025 |

In Nebraska, Senator Barry DeKay has moved to “preserve and protect” the state’s agriculture industry by preemptively banning cultivated meat from manufacture, distribution or sale in Nebraska. The bill defines “cultivated food protein” and requires those products to be labeled “adulterated food products” under the Pure Food Act. “There are clear, recognized benefits of meat […]

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Lego embraces futurism and bioplastics in new set

Lego embraces futurism and bioplastics in new set

January 20, 2025 |

In Denmark, toy block maker Lego has introduced a new futuristic design set that includes biobased plastics. Dubbed Lego Icons of Play, the 48,000-piece set “merges traditional crafting with cutting-edge technology,” according to Yanoticias. The set includes futuristic vehicles, architectural “marvels, and sci-fi inspired figures.”  The Icons of Play set also includes blocks made from […]

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Bioplastics reach the chandelier market

Bioplastics reach the chandelier market

January 20, 2025 |

In Denmark, design studio Mickus Projects has created a 3D-printed honeycomb-shaped bioplastic chandelier. Known as the Hedron Pendant, the chandelier “features a bulbous but subtly striated lampshade finished in an intricate hexagonal pattern, which wraps a stem with a delicate but illuminating LED light source,” according to design publication dezeen. Hedron Pendant is 3D printed […]

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Acer unveils oyster shell laptop design

Acer unveils oyster shell laptop design

January 13, 2025 |

In Las Vegas, multinational electronics maker Acer has unveiled the world’s first laptop made from oyster shells. Dubbed Aspire Vero 16, the carbon-neutral design was unveiled at the recent Consumer Electronics Show and was named a CES Innovation Award 2025 nominee. Specifically, the laptop has a chassis made from 70% post-consumer recycled plastic and biobased […]

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Kenya’s HyaPak addresses plastics waste, invasive species, and reforestation

Kenya’s HyaPak addresses plastics waste, invasive species, and reforestation

January 13, 2025 |

In Kenya, an invasive plant crowding out native life in lakes is being converted by by HyaPak Ecotech Limited into packaging that biodegrades over the course of a few months. Hyapak was founded by Joseph Nguthiru in his last year as a civil and environmental engineering student at Egerton University. The idea came to him […]

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Corn Next unveils corn starch plastics alternative

Corn Next unveils corn starch plastics alternative

January 13, 2025 |

In California, Corn Next, a company developing biobased materials based on corn starch, has launched a plastics alternative that fully biodegrades in 30 days. Dubbed CornNext-18, the material’s mechanical properties make it suitable for several applications, including consumer goods, packaging, agriculture, medical supplies, automotive, and electronics. “CornNext-17 represents a significant leap forward in sustainable materials,” […]

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Silvis Materials and ORNL to develop biobased adhesives for the construction industry

Silvis Materials and ORNL to develop biobased adhesives for the construction industry

January 13, 2025 |

In Colorado, biobased adhesives firm Silvis Materials has announced a partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop formaldehyde-free adhesives for the building materials industry. The collaboration, which is supported by a Department of Energy research agreement, aims to create healthier, more sustainable building solutions and reduce the carbon footprint of the adhesives market. According […]

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AFYREN announces plant delay, sustainability-linked loan

AFYREN announces plant delay, sustainability-linked loan

January 13, 2025 |

In France, biobased organic acids firm AFYREN has announced a €10 million (US$10.2 million) sustainability-linked loan for its subsidiary, AFYREN NEOXY. The company also said it aims to initiate continuous production at its AFYREN NEOXY plant in 2025, a shift from its previous target of 2024. “With our production launch and first sales in 2024, […]

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Cow-free dairy company Standing Ovation taps Ajinomoto’s French biomanufacturing asset

Cow-free dairy company Standing Ovation taps Ajinomoto’s French biomanufacturing asset

January 13, 2025 |

In France, precision fermentation-based dairy proteins firm Standing Ovation has entered into a long-term partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe to produce animal-free proteins at AFE’s Nesle manufacturing site. The deal also provides Standing Ovation with access to AFE’s 50 years of experience in industrial fermentation.   Standing Ovation’s animal-free casein powder, Advanced Casein®, can be used […]

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