In Massachusetts, CJ Biomaterials, a division of South Korea’s CJ CheilJedang, has received certification from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) for its range of PHACT™ polyhydroxyalkanoate masterbatches and compounds. The certification confirms that PHACT products meet rigorous ASTM standards for compostability, paving the way for the development of environmentally friendly items such as straws, cutlery, […]
In Texas, Sasol Chemicals has launched NACOL 18-98, a palm oil-free, biobased stearyl alcohol solution designed for the personal care industry. NACOL 18-98 is made from segregated rapeseed oil, a renewable resource sourced locally in Europe. It has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to palm oil-based alternatives addresses concerns surrounding deforestation and the environmental […]
In Singapore, PCS Pte. Ltd. will use renewable feedstocks supplied by Neste Corporation to produce chemicals for customers in Southeast Asia. Under the terms of the deal, Neste will provide PCS with Neste RE™, a renewable material derived from waste sources, such as used cooking oil and residues from vegetable oil processing. PCS will use […]
In Tokyo, designer Hiroto Ikebe is exhibiting clothing made from rewoven silk cocoon waste at the DESIGNART Tokyo event. Though not used for mass production, Ikebe intends for the COCOON ANATOMY exhibit to show that silk industry waste can be repurposed into a usable, leather-like textile. The waste material specifically included raw, unprocessed silk; kibiso, […]
In Finland, food packaging manufacturer Walki and Lactips, a French company developing bioplastics based on the dairy protein casein, are collaborating to develop paper-based food packaging with a casein-based biopolymer coating. The new packaging material is expected to possess heat-sealing properties and grease barriers, making it compatible with existing packaging lines. Mats Käldström, R&D manager […]
In Florida, high-purity cellulose manufacturer Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. has successfully raised €67 million (US$71.5 million) to bolster its biomaterials strategy. This financing includes €37 million in secured term loans from French banks Crédit Lyonnais, Arkéa Banque, and BNP Paribas, with an initial floating interest rate of approximately 5% and a maturity period of seven […]
In the Netherlands, a startup based at Wageningen University’s campus is pioneering technology to produce wood from cultured cells. Dubbed Dawn Bio, the company has so far used its process to create wood samples from six tree species. The largest sample was about the size of a postage stamp. “If we can make wood without […]
In Utah, WNDR Alpine’s algae-based snowboards have been named to Time Magazine’s top 200 inventions list. Unlike most snowboards, which are made out of petroleum-based plastic polyethylene, WNDR’s Shepard snowboard is produced using oil sourced from microalgae. The board was first launched in 2022. “This board is now being ridden on mountains worldwide and garnering […]
In Australia, a startup sustainably cultivating seaweed has been chosen as a finalist for Prince William’s 2024 Earthshot Prize. Coast 4C works with farmers in the Philippines to plant seaweed that can be used to produce gelling agents, thickeners, stabilizers and potentially bioplastics. To date, it has helped farmers plant 280 hectares of seaweed in […]
In New York, design lab OXMAN has unveiled O°, a biomaterial, digital, and robotic technology platform that powers the production of biobased textiles and wearables that are 100% biodegradable when disposed of, made entirely with organic material and without petrochemicals or glues, and producing no microplastics. The first product to be created using O° platform […]
