In Tennessee, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its partners have secured up to $160 million over 10 years from the National Science Foundation to launch the BRIDGES Engine, a biobased manufacturing initiative focused on economic growth in Tennessee and Alabama. One of 12 winners in NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition, BRIDGES will transform underused […]
In Spain, a company developing bioplastics from renewable resources, including agricultural residues and algae, has raised €1.5 million (US$1.7 million) in seed funding. BZERO’s thermoplastic starch technology produces home-compostable films as thin as seven microns while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to conventional plastics. “The plastic transition only works if bio-based alternatives can compete on cost, […]
In Denmark, biotech startup developing mycelium-based construction binders has raised €3.34 million (US$3.82 million) in seed funding to support scale-up and market development. Dubbed Visibuilt, the company was founded in 2022 by Line Kloster Pedersen and Oleksii Rebrov. They call the product visiBINDER. The round was co-led by EIFO and Unconventional Ventures. Proptechfonden also participated, […]
In California, Algenesis Labs has received the 2026 ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the Small Business category for its Soleic® family of plant-based, fully biodegradable polyurethane materials. One of the most prestigious recognitions in sustainable chemistry, the ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award honors technologies that advance green chemistry principles to benefit human health and […]
In the United Kingdom, biobased adhesives maker BindEthics has begun scaling production of its first product, Ecohesive. BindEthics developed Ecohesive to replace formaldehyde-based resins in construction and furniture. Formaldehyde-based resins are widely used but release formaldehyde gas over time, contributing to indoor air pollution and posing health risks. The company is advancing batches from 40 to […]
In New Zealand, CarbonScape has partnered with CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, to accelerate scale up of its wood-based battery-grade graphite. The deal also includes an investment that gives CATL and co-investor Lochpine Capital a combined 20% stake in CarbonScape, along with seats on the company’s board. Graphite is the single largest raw material […]
In Delaware, Covation Biomaterials has unveiled two new biobased innovations at this year’s Functional Fabric Fair, held recently in New York City. Xatryx® bioPTMEG is a second-generation, biobased polyether glycol made from corncobs and is a drop-in replacement for traditional petroleum-based polytetramethylene ether glycol. Downstream customers can switch to Xatryx without process or production changes […]
In Denmark, biosolutions giant Novonesis has entered into a development and commercialization pact with TurtleTree, an innovator in precision fermented ingredients such as lactoferrin LF+®. Simultaneously, Novonesis is making a minor investment in TurtleTree. 321Catalyst Ventures, the CVC-arm of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. joins the investment. Lactoferrin is a protein naturally found in milk and is […]
In Amsterdam, biobased chemicals maker Avantium N.V. has spun out its electrochemical platform, previously known as Volta Technology, into a new, independent company named Carbeau, with retrospective effect from 1 April 2026. Volta Technology is an electrochemical platform that converts CO₂ into high-performing chemicals using electricity. Carbeau is backed by a strong investor consortium comprising […]
In Germany, biotech silk materials firm AMSilk GmbH has expanded its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe to include a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement. Under the agreement, AFE will establish a dedicated line for producing AMSilk’s silk proteins at its biomanufacturing site in Nesle, France. The setup is based on 160 m³ fermentation reactor capacity, […]
