In France, Arkema has announced a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of its biobased nylon 11 grades, now at 1.3 kg CO2e/kg—an 80% decrease compared to traditional fossil-based nylon. Arkema attributes the reduction to increased use of renewable electricity and enhanced energy efficiency at its production sites. The milestone follows a previous 46% reduction […]
In Texas, Orion S.A. has launched a carbon black for printing applications that is derived entirely from biobased or circular feedstocks. PRINTEX® Nature 35 has equivalent performance to the company’s PRINTEX® 35 line and is suitable for food packaging, books, catalogs, brochures, and other printed materials. The carbon black is produced at Orion’s European sites […]
In the Netherlands, biobased chemicals and plastics producer Avantium has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Contact Notification approval for its polyethylene furanoate in food contact articles. The approval allows Avantium’s food contact grade PEF to be used as packaging for all food types in the United States, including items stored at room temperature, […]
In Italy, a project to convert brewers’ waste into high-value bioplastics has begun its work. Funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking HORIZON program, the POLYMEER initiative aims to valorize brewers’ spent grain, a brewery waste rich in fiber and protein, into new biobased polymers, copolymers and polymer blends for agriculture films, automotive industry […]
In Japan, architecture and construction firm Takenaka Corporation will unveil temporary, 3D-printed structures made from plant-based resin that will turn into forests once their usable life is over. Straight-forwardly called Architecture that Becomes a Forest, the project is being displayed at the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka. As part of the interactive experience, children will be […]
In Germany, Evonik and BASF have announced the first delivery of BASF’s ammonia BMBcert grade, marking a pivotal collaboration aimed at reducing the product carbon footprint. The biomass-balanced ammonia boasts a 65% reduction in PCF compared to conventional alternatives. Evonik plans to incorporate the sustainable ammonia into its eCO product range, including VESTAMIN® IPD eCO […]
In Germany, a startup is using waste hops from the country’s world-renown beer-brewing industry to produce materials for construction. Called HopfON—so named because of Hopfen, the German word for hops—the company was the brainchild of two Technical University of Munich students. The company uses the leaves and vines from hops cultivation in Germany’s Hallertau region. […]
In Pakistan, a team of researchers at National Textile University has pioneered the creation of flame-retardant biobased hydrogel composites utilizing hemp and wool nonwoven fabrics, enhanced with chitosan and banana sap. The work, published recently in Scientific Reports, addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional flame retardants, which often contain toxic chemicals. The researchers explored […]
In the Netherlands, DSM-Firmenich AG has finalized the sale of its yeast extracts business to Lesaffre, a leading global player in fermentation and microorganisms based in Lille, France. The yeast extracts business, part of DSM-Firmenich’s taste, texture, and health unit, generates approximately €120 million (US$131.7 million) in annual sales. This divestment aligns with the DSM-Firmenich’s […]
In Tahiti, designer Christopher Bellamy has created three items—a drum, swimsuit, and ornamental neckpiece—out of bioluminescent algae in a research project dubbed “Lucid Life.” The objects glow in response to touch or movement, allowing users to feel more connected with the natural world. Bellamy told design publication dezeen he was inspired by Mo’orea, which is […]
