In the Netherlands, Dutch Design Week is featuring an innovative pop-up shop where customers can exchange a jar of their own pee for a bar of Piss Soap. The novel barter opportunity from Nieuwe Instituut—a Rotterdam museum for architecture, design and digital culture—challenges patrons to consider consumption patterns that are less transactional and more resource […]
In Madrid, biomaterial firm Polybion has partnered with the Fashion for Good incubator to advance Polybion’s bacterial leather and Fashion for Good’s circular fashion industry goals. The deal, which comes several months after Polybion participated in Fashion for Good’s annual innovation program, also includes an undisclosed investment in Polybion by the incubator. Polybion uses microbial […]
In Boston, Ginkgo Bioworks has been tasked with helping Switzerland’s QL AG, a food technology solutions company, develop dairy proteins. QL AG will tap into Ginkgo’s strain engineering capabilities across multiple chassis organisms to support its goal of providing the market with high-quality, nutritionally equivalent dairy proteins. The dairy industry faces significant pressures as climate […]
In Sarnia, Ontario, biobased chemicals maker Origin Materials has begun commercial-scale production at Origin 1. The Sarnia plant is Origin’s first large production asset and the first commercial plant of its kind. The facility uses Origin’s technology for converting sustainable wood residues into intermediate chemicals, including chloromethylfurfural, hydrothermal carbon, and oils and extractives. These building […]
In South Korea, LG Chem and GS Caltex have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance their efforts to develop biobased 3-hydroxypropionic acid, an essential raw material for biodegradable plastics. The MOU follows a 2021 Joint Development Agreement between the two companies and construction of a 3HP testing plant at the GS Caltex Yeosu Plant […]
In California, biotech-based specialty chemicals company Sensegen has launched seven autumnal flavors just in time for leaf-peeping/spooky season. This biobased “culinary journey through autumn” includes vanilla, caramel, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, coffee, and lavender. The ingredients are all produced using precision fermentation. “Our seven Fall Flavors are purposefully crafted to resonate with the moods of autumn. […]
In Maine, a prototype house 3D printed out of biobased materials has passed the all-important “Maine winter” test, raising hopes the concept can help ease the state’s housing crunch. Developed by the University of Maine, the 600-square-foot prototype features 3D-printed floors, walls and roof of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable and […]
In Finland, Stora Enso, FrostPharma and Mälarplast have jointly developed a bioplastic container for hazardous waste. Dubbed WoodSafe, the polypropylene containers are made using tall oil produced from Nordic wood fibers. They are suitable for medical and laboratory settings, and are already being used in Swedish hospitals. WoodSafe also boasts a 66% lower carbon emissions […]
In Indiana, Liberation Labs is set to launch a Series A financing round to help build its $115-million facility in Richmond. The company was formed to address the growing fermentation capacity gap in cellular agriculture by providing the industry with the infrastructure to commercialize novel protein manufacturing at the scale and cost structure required by […]
In Australia, Reef Design Lab is mixing concrete with oyster shells to create Erosion Mitigation Units that also provide marine life a habitat. Digital modeling analysis and traditional casting methods were used to form organic shapes with favorable habitat conditions. The oyster shells create a welcoming surface for shellfish, while tunnels in the EMUs encourage […]
