In Japan, Starbucks has introduced new plant-based, biodegradable straws as the coffee chain works to cut waste in half by 2030. The new straw is made from Green Planet, which uses plant oils instead of petroleum feedstocks. The material degrades into CO2 and water by microorganisms living in sea water and soil, mitigating issues of […]
In Michigan, a team of researchers has determined that burned rice hulls could help batteries store more charge and help create a domestic source of material to replace graphite in lithium-ion or sodium-ion battery anodes. The team at University of Michigan, with funding from National Science Foundation and the Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, […]
In New York, the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is doing more than just ferrying Santa to midtown—it’s also setting a new standard in sustainable parade productions. Plastics News reports that organizers of the world’s most famous parade estimate that 85% of the event’s floats and balloons have a sustainability angle, including recycled or reused […]
In Germany, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology have developed a recyclable bicycle helmet made from the bioplastic polylactic acid. Currently, bike helmets are made from several petrochemical products: polycarbonate shell, polystyrene foam core, polypropylene components, nylon straps, etc. In addition to having a high carbon footprint, the diversity of the materials makes […]
In the United Kingdom, consumer products giant Unilever has announced a new partnership with ag innovator Nufarm to develop a variety of sugarcane capable of producing oils for cleaning products. The project focuses on cultivating a biomass-rich crop capable of producing sustainable oils from the entire plant—including leaves and stems—rather than just seeds and fruits. […]
In France, Lactips, a company developing and producing polymers from milk protein casein, has completed a €16 million (US$16.9 million) fundraising round. The financing will enable Lactips to accelerate its commercial growth and expand its international presence. Lactips provides sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, supporting converters and brand owners in their ecological transition. The company’s […]
In Germany, researchers at Dresden University of Technology are exploring the feasibility of using leaves to produce biodegradable printed circuit boards for electronic devices. PCBs are typically made of plastic or fiberglass with epoxy, and are difficult to recycle or reuse. Tens of millions of tons of electronic waste are dumped annually, and the figure […]
In Singapore, UMAMI Bioworks and Steakholder Foods have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of producing 3D-printed cultivated fish products at scalable volumes. The two-year project developed a portfolio of prototype designs for premium cultivated fish fillets, leveraging 3D printing technology to create products that mimic the attributes of various fish species. The work was funded by […]
In France, AFYREN, a greentech company building a biobased organic acids plant, has received a €9 million (US$9.5 million) loan from Bpifrance, the French state investment bank. The financing will support start-up of its first plant, located in Saint Avold, France. The loan, structured in two installments of €6 million and €3 million, is part […]
In Maryland, high-performance athletic surfaces manufacturer Beynon Sports has received the U.S. Department of Agriculture Certified Biobased Product Label for its polyurethane binder products BEYPUR™ 320-Bio and BEYPUR™ 340-Bio. Both binders contain 24% biobased content and are suitable for various applications, including bonding materials like rubber, foam, cork, and wood mulch. The BEYPUR™ 340-Bio variant […]
