In Mexico, design studio Manufactura has invented a concrete substitute made from corn, limestone derivatives and nejayote, a calcium-rich agricultural byproduct of masa production. Dubbed Corncretl, the material can be 3D-printed, has 70% lower carbon emissions than traditional concrete, and is uniquely connected to local heritage. “Beyond its nutritional value, corn held deep spiritual meaning,” […]
In Switzerland, Solabia Group, a leader in biotechnology-driven active ingredients for health and beauty, has entered into an agreement to acquire Mibelle Biochemistry, a company focused on development and production of unique, active ingredients for the cosmetics, nutraceutical, and food industries, from Persán. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1991 in Switzerland as part […]
In France, Givaudan has broken ground on Campus 52, a new CHF 55 million (US$71 million) center of excellence for natural ingredients for perfumers. The center is being built in Grasse, “the historic cradle of perfumery,” according to Givaudan. Campus 52 will house a production facility and an innovation laboratory, foster close collaboration between scientists […]
In California, Zeon and Visolis have signed a binding term sheet to strengthen their biobased isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel collaboration as well as a final investment decision for a production facility. The planned production facility is expected to begin commercial-scale production following the demonstration of mass production technology for biomass-based isoprene monomers and […]
In China, Nextchem, through its technology licensing subsidiary Conser, has been awarded a licensing and Process Design Package for its biobased dimethyl succinate and 1,4-butanediol coproduction technologies, dubbed NX CONSER MAN and NX CONSER Duetto. The licensee was not named, although Nextchem did reveal it was a major state-owned chemical player in China. The agreement […]
In Canada, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing are developing biodegradable, bottle-grade plastics from fiber left over from flax and hemp crops. The project, which will be led Dr. Satyanarayan Panigrahi, Sask Polytech Biomaterials Testing and Prototyping research chair, has been granted $250,000 in funding from the Agriculture Development Fund through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural […]
In the Netherlands, Dutch quick-service restaurant Kwalitaria is using home compostable trays made from Notpla’s seaweed-based plastic. Developed in collaboration with Compax, a Dutch company that specializes in packaging solutions, particularly disposables and food packaging, rollout of the fries and snack packaging at 160 Kwalitaria locations is expected to prevent 102.5 metric tons of CO2 and […]
In the United Kingdom, plant-based colorants maker Sparxell has raised $5 million in a pre-Series A funding round. Located at the University of Cambridge, Sparxell’s patented technology converts cellulose from wood pulp to structural color. The round was led by SWEN Capital Partners‘ Blue Ocean fund. Alpha Star Capital and Cambridge Enterprise Ventures also participated. […]
In the United Kingdom, The Bland Company has raised $2.67 million to convert agricultural waste into proteins that can replace eggs. Although several companies offer egg substitutes, none have fully solved the performance and cost challenges. Precision‑fermented egg proteins remain expensive due to high capital and operating costs, Rubisco‑based options require intensive downstream processing, and mung‑bean […]
In Hong Kong, lab-grown fish startup Avant is shuttering its marine peptides unit, Avant Proteins, to focus on gaining regulatory approval for its fish in Singapore. Founded in 2018, Avant began with cultivated fish but expanded into cell-based marine protein ingredients for skincare in 2021. Dubbed Zellulin, the platform could be used in moisturizers, creams […]
