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 […]
In France, Arkema has lowered the carbon footprint of its entire biobased polyamide 11 production base by 46%, reaching less than 2 kg CO2e/kg. The improvement was achieved by using renewable or low carbon energy sources and making several energy efficiency improvements at its production sites. It represents an improvement of around 70% relative to […]
In Australia, a team at RMIT University hopes mixing coffee grounds with concrete will reduce the amount of sand mined for concrete production while simultaneously divert coffee waste from landfills. “Our research group was discussing shifting our focus to divert this waste from landfills and develop innovative solutions to transforming this waste into a valuable […]
In Emeryville, California, Bolt Threads has announced a definitive agreement for a business combination with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Golden Arrow Merger Corp. The deal would result in Bolt Threads becoming a public company with a pro forma enterprise valuation of $346.1 million. A proprietary polypeptide in Bolt Threads’ b-silk replaces silicone elastomers in […]
In Colorado, a funeral home offering trendy green burials—where bodies are interred in renewable materials and without embalming—is facing possible charges for improperly storing 115 bodies. Without traditional funeral services, bodies must be interred or stored in a refrigeration unit within 24 hours. Officials were alerted to potential violations by Return to Nature Funeral Home […]
In Connecticut, University of Connecticut student Amelia Martin has developed a surfboard concept using mycelium, the plant structure of mushrooms. The project was undertaken in the laundry room of her Vernon, Connecticut home. Martin was inspired both by her graduate level work studying how fungi acts as a plant pest and her connection to the […]
In Turkey, the Scays Group is converting tea waste into a leather alternative for the fashion industry. Cleverly named Wastea, the product looks and feels like leather and is as durable. It is also cruelty free, more eco-friendly, and water-, stain-, and fire-resistant. Different grades range from 45% and 95% biobased, depending on the polyurethane […]
