In the Netherlands, sustainable innovation platform Fashion for Good has unveiled plans to scale biobased polyester via a Mass Balance Approach, in which chemicals of renewable and synthetic origin are mingled. The project aims to produce biomass‑attributed polyethylene terephthalate resin and yarns that perform on par with conventional materials, while also building a full cradle‑to‑grave […]
In China, scientists at Shenyang Agricultural University have developed a new insulation material made almost entirely from spent coffee grounds. The team first converted discarded coffee grounds into a highly porous biochar, then blended it with ethyl cellulose, a natural polymer. The combination produced a lightweight composite with strong thermal‑insulating properties, without relying on fossil‑fuel […]
In Pennsylvania, researchers have proven it is possible to convert food scraps such as peels, rinds, and eggshells into renewable building materials. The work, led by Laia Mogas‑Soldevila at University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, centers on transforming food waste into durable materials that can replace carbon‑intensive products like plastics and concrete. Through a partnership […]
In California, ZymoChem has released a research paper demonstrating that its biobased and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, branded BAYSE™, is the first of its kind to outperform many of the performance attributes of conventional petroleum-based SAPs. Every year, the global hygiene industry uses more than three million metric tons of SAPs, the tiny granules that lock […]
In the UK, entrepreneur Tiger Taylor has launched biodegradable press-on nails after recognizing the need for more sustainable at-home manicure options during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Taylor told Marie Claire UK the UK beauty industry produces over 120,000 metric tons of nail and beauty-related trash. Acrylic nails in particular can take hundreds of years to […]
In Missouri, biobased leather maker Pangea has expanded its business with the launch of four new sustainable products: Ecoda Agave, Ecoda Avocado, Vendura Agave and Vendura Avocado. These chrome (Ecoda) and chrome-free (Vendura) leather solutions upcycle massive volumes of discarded agave leaves and avocado pits from Mexico. The agave industry harvests an estimated 2.4 million […]
In New York, a painstakingly detailed wood model of New York City, constructed by truck driver turned artist Joe Macken, is being displayed at the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibit, titled He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model, took Macken over two decades to construct and is a whopping 50 by 27 […]
In California, cell-based cocoa producer California Cultured has announced plans to launch US sales by end of the year. Green Queen reports that the company has gained Generally Recognized as Safe status and is fundraising to support the launch. The company is targeting segments where cocoa powder is already used at scale. “That includes baked […]
In India, biomaterials firm and Shark Tank India alumni Canvaloop has raised $1.5 million to scale production of its biobased fiber and accelerate commercial adoption. The company’s process converts agricultural waste into textile-grade fibers. Such fibers are highly coveted by the global fashion and textile industries, which have faced criticism for their negative environmental impacts. Gujarat […]
In Belgium, researchers at The Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) have converted lignin into biobased aromatic molecules that can be used in the production of plastics and other useful end products. Currently, lignin is often burned as a waste product from paper production. However, scientist at VITO say lignin contains “a wealth” of chemical […]
