In Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are using a biobased material to 3D-print custom roosting structures for endangered bats. The custom wildlife roosting structure was 3D printed at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL using pine wood flour and polylactic acid. The material’s biodegradability promotes a healthy habitat, since habitats that persist in the […]
In California, a pet food startup focused on using sustainable proteins has partnered with cellular agriculture firm Novel Farms to source cultivated meat to feed family fidos and felines. According to vegconomist, the companies are developing prototypes with hopes to launch a product in 2025. Friends & Family Pet Food aims to move from “factory-farmed […]
In Denmark, Scandinavian-aesthetic furniture brand TAKT has introduced apple waste-based Leap material from Beyond Leather Materials in 8 of its most iconic chair designs. TAKT product developer Michael Lysemose said Leap was chosen because TAKT wanted to find alternatives to leather—a material with significant CO2 impact—with a material that would not “compromise” the aesthetics and […]
In Oman, design firm Nawa Tek has converted leftover date seeds into a material suitable for use as 3D printer filaments. Dubbed RePit—a play on the words repeat and “pit”, as the date seed is often called—the material is made by crushing the pits and mixing them with limestone and clay. The resulting composite is […]
In Arizona, Nxu, Inc., an energy storage and charging solutions, and bioplastics company Verde Bioresins, Inc. have entered into a merger agreement. Under the terms of the deal, Nxu will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Verde in an all-stock transaction. Upon closing of the merger, the combined company is expected […]
In the Netherlands, biobased chemical firm Avantium has officially opened the world’s first large-scale furandicarboxylic acid at Delfzijl. The facility has the capacity to produce 5,000 tons of FDCA annually. The FDCA will be converted into plant-based and circular plastic polyethylene furanoate, a 100% plant-based polyester that can be used in several applications, including bottles, […]
In Finland, VTT is participating in two projects under the US National Science Foundation’s Global Centers program. The Biofoundry project focuses on the development and utilization of new types of biological production processes based on microbes on an industrial scale. The goal is to enable the replacement of particularly fossil-based materials with bio-based materials. “In […]
In Finland, Neste has agreed to supply renewable feedstocks from waste and residue oils and fats to Brazil’s Braskem for conversion into polymers and chemicals. The products will be sold in South America under Braskem’s Wenew brand, starting from the fourth quarter of 2024. “We’re introducing a new solution that will adhere to the industry’s […]
In Idaho, Lamb Weston has teamed up with global chemicals leader SABIC and Oerlemans Plastics to introduce an innovative, sustainable packaging solution for frozen potato products. This new packaging is composed of at least 60% biobased polymers sourced from used cooking oil, resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of approximately 30%. The packaging development utilizes […]
In London, sustainability focused apparel company Pangaia has unveiled an enhanced version of its Flwrdwn biobased down alternative as part of the new DNA Flower Warmth collection. Originally launched in 2019, Flwrdwn combines hand-harvested wildflowers, biopolymer, and aerogel to create a breathable material that serves as an alternative to traditional down. The wildflowers are sourced […]
