In Italy, iGreenGadgets has created biodegradable cell phone cases with embedded seeds in an effort to reduce the waste associated with iPhone or Android upgrades. Made from cornstarch and natural pigments, the iGreen Cover case provides the same level of protection as a traditional case, but at the end of its life can be planted […]
In Antwerp, materials company StoneCycling has turned waste corn cobs into a recyclable, biodegradable, and carbon-neutral wall covering. Aptly called CornWall, the material is produced in collaboration with consulting firm Circular Matters. It is made by heating corn cobs to 150 degrees Celsius using solar power. No fossil fuels are used in the process, and […]
In Brooklyn, a startup developing leather-like materials from mushroom and seafood shell waste has raised $4.15 million in a seed funding round led by founder Uyen Tran. Investors also include Happiness Capital, SOSV, Parley for the Oceans, and MIH Capital. TômTex will use the money to add staff, boost manufacturing at its Brooklyn facility, and […]
In Germany, sporting goods and apparel giant adidas unveiled the official match ball that will be used at next year’s European Football Championship and said the high-tech ball includes several biobased materials. Dubbed FUSSBALLLIEBE, the “ball’s design is inspired by the joy of football and the energy of the tournament, and has been engineered with […]
In New York, a design studio has created a high-end lighting series from wood salvaged in New York City. The studio—aptly named Stickbulb— told design publication dezeen that the wood-paneled light fixtures are mostly made from pin oak, a common Big Apple tree. The material is collected in partnership with the NYC Parks Department and […]
In Seattle, e-commerce behemoth Amazon has partnered with Italian biobased materials producer Novamont to pilot the use of bags made of biobased and biodegradable materials. “In this project, we use biobased raw materials obtained from sources such as starch and vegetable oils, which can be produced sustainably in Europe,” Amazon said. “Customers can place these […]
In the Netherlands, startup Human Material Loop is turning human hair into textiles and has already made prototype coats, sweaters, and blazers that feel similar to wool. The company tells CNN that 72 million kilograms of human hair waste ends up in European landfills annually. This is the equivalent of seven Eiffel Towers. “It’s a […]
In Japan, Neste, Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsui subsidiary Prime Polymer have partnered to provide biobased food packaging solutions for CO-OP, a brand of the Japanese Consumers Co-operative Union. Under the terms of the agreement, Neste will provide renewable Neste RE, a feedstock for polymers that is made entirely from biobased raw materials. Mitsui Chemicals and […]
In Germany, chemicals giant BASF has published its first Responsible Sourcing Report for its Care Chemicals division. The report noted that the company purchased 1.2 million metric tons of renewable raw materials in 2022, including coconut oil, castor oil, and biobased active ingredients. The report is a “refinement” of BASF’s existing Palm Progress Report, which […]
In the Netherlands, cultivated meat leader Meatable has opened a new pilot facility to scale cultivated pork. The 3,300m2 facility at Leiden’s Bio Science Park will allow the company to increase bioreactor capacity from 50 to 200 L. The site will also support further capacity expansion to to 500 L reactors. The new Leiden facility […]
