In Thailand, researchers at Mahidol University have converted waste pineapple leaves into a leather alternative stronger than polyurethane. The material is made by extracting the leaves’ fibers, half of which are subsequently treated with sodium hydroxide. The fibers are then made into non-woven sheets coated with natural rubber latex. The sheets are then heated, compressed, […]
In Denmark, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new, 100% biodegradable bioplastic from barley starch and sugarbeet waste. The team within the university’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences claim the new bioplastic biodegrades in just two months and could be used for food packaging, among other applications. “We have an enormous […]
In Chicago, New Energy Blue and ARCO/Murray have partnered to build out the New Energy Biomass Refinery platform across the American Midwest. ARCO/Murray will construct the flagship New Energy Freedom biomass refinery in Mason City, IA to process corn stalks into second-generation fuel ethanol and clean lignin at commercial capacity. The construction contract is worth […]
In Vancouver, good natured Products Inc., a manufacturer of biobased plastic extrusion and plant-based products, has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering worth just under $1 million. The company issued a total of 15,639,998 units at $0.06 per unit for a total raise of $938,000. Each unit consisted of one common share in […]
In New York, America’s most famous competitive eater will be excluded from Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest for daring to endorse a plant-based hot dog. Joey Chestnut told the New York Post he is “gutted” by the ban, which stems from his agreement to represent Impossible Foods’ vegan alternative. “I love competing in […]
In London, designer Maca Barrera has introduced a new concept in sun protection: clothing infused with melanin produced through fermentation. Melanin is a sun-protecting protein found in skin. Barrera’s Melwear envisions apparel that acts as a second skin and could replace chemical sunscreens. While her final design project at Central Saint Martins didn’t include a […]
In Brooklyn, the world’s tallest modular building is incorporating “living space modules” made out of natural materials 3D printed by a joint project between researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine. They hope the SM2ART Nfloor cassette panels could one day replace traditional surface assemblies in multistory […]
In Thailand, Braskem Siam Co., Ltd. has received approval from the Thailand Board of Investment for a 19.3 billion baht ($526 million), 200,000 tons/year biobased ethylene plant. The project will convert ethanol produced using agricultural products such as sugarcane, cassava, and corn as feedstock. Braskem Siam, a joint venture between leading biopolymer producer Braskem and […]
In Houston, Solugen has secured a conditional, $213.6-million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Loan Programs Office funds will support construction of Solugen’s 500,000 square foot organic acids production facility planned for Marshall, MN. The site will deploy Solugen’s Bioforge technology for converting biomass into organic acids for use in wastewater treatment, […]
In France, food multinational Danone, tire maker Michelin, biobased chemicals producer DMC Biotechnologies and Crédit Agricole Centre France have agreed to invest over €16 million ($18.2 million) to build a Biotech Open Platform at Clermont-Ferrand, France. The facility will develop and scale advanced fermentation processes and be located at Michelin’s Parc Cataroux Center for Sustainable […]
