In the US, the Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration program, a Department of Defense program aimed at identifying more efficient equipment, together with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, has found a new biobased cleaner, lubricant and preservative. Reginald Mack, deputy director of the STED program, called it a “game changer,” because it requires fewer applications […]
In London, biotech startup Modern Synthesis has raised $5.5 million to commercialize microbially-derived biomaterials. Modern Synthesis transforms nanocellulose into durable, high-quality alternatives to animal leather, vegan leather, and plastic-based coated textiles. The company’s scalable, proprietary process leverages advanced material science to build upon the innate strength and versatility of nanocellulose, a naturally derived polymer which […]
In South Dakota, lawmakers have advanced a bill prohibiting the production, sale and distribution of cultivated meat. The Amendment, added to HB1109, was passed by an 8-5 vote and expires in 10 years. The bill was sponsored by District 2 Rep. John Sjaarda, who is also a cattle and hog producer, told the Tri-State Cattle […]
In California, TOUS les JOURS, a French-Asian bakery café chain, has begun rolling out plant-based plastic straws to store locations across the United States. The straws are made with PHACT™ PHA, which is produced by CJ Biomaterials, a leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastics. In addition to being made from a biobased material, the new straws […]
In Oregon, ski goggle brand Smith has introduced retro, wraparound sunglasses meant to invoke its first 1987 design, but with a sustainable twist: biobased frames. Dubbed Ultralite, Smith told advnture, a site focusing on outdoor goods, that the biobased frames are lighter and more durable, and that the “retro ski goggle inspired design pairs well […]
In Belgium, Devan Chemicals is set to launch an innovative sleep-promoting textile made from a byproduct of Australian tea tree oil processing. Dubbed Devan Sleep Tight, the technology was proven to improve sleep quality and overall quality of life in an independent clinical trial. The active ingredient acts by two complementary pathways—inhalation and skin contact—to […]
In Indiana, biomanufacturing firm Liberation Labs has closed a convertible note with $31.5 million in new capital, which, combined with $19 million of insider bridge notes raised during 2024, brings the total raised in its $75 million convertible note round to $50.5 million. The new capital will allow the company to complete its first biomanufacturing […]
In Munich, cultivated meat startup MyriaMeat has grown pig muscle tissue from pluripotent stem cells with the ability to contract—an industry first. The achievement could boost the likelihood of producing cultivated pork at scale to complement conventional pork production. “We do not see ourselves as competitors to the meat industry but as partners. The industry […]
In Finland, dairy major Valio has initiated a research collaboration with Melt&Marble, a Swedish company that produces fats for food applications using cellular agriculture. These fats can serve as alternatives to animal fats and tropical plant fats linked to sustainability concerns, such as palm oil. Valio and Melt&Marble’s long-term research and development collaboration aims to […]
In Australia, Nanollose, a startup developing biodegradable fibers from cellulose sourced from agricultural waste, has raised $2.1 million to scale production. The fundraise includes commitments for a $672,000 placement alongside a $1.05 million rights issues for eligible shareholders, and a $400,000 fee-to-equity conversion by Nanollose Directors. One of the company’s fibers recently completed its third […]
