In Germany, Bioweg, a producer of bio-based materials, announced a collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks to optimize the production of bacterial cellulose and to produce novel variants of cellulose with improved performance to serve a variety of end markets. Bioweg said its current products based on biodegradable bacterial cellulose have already been tested and implemented by […]
In Massachusetts, J Biomaterials, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), has produced the first cosmetic jar based on their amorphous PHA technology, under the tradename, PHACT. The cosmetic jar was developed for Banila Co. to hold its Ceramide Cleansing Balm, part of Banila Co.’s ‘Clean It Zero’ line […]
In Germany, RWE announced an alliance with Lotte Chemical Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) to jointly develop stable and large-scale clean ammonia supply chains in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Within this alliance RWE, Lotte, and MC have now signed a joint study agreement to develop a large-scale integrated clean ammonia production and export project […]
In Korea, Researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology have achieved a holy grail in the fight against plastics waste due to straws: a renewable and biodegradable coating that keeps paper from going soggy. A research team comprised of Dr. Oh Dongyeop and Dr. Kwak Hojung of KRICT and Professor Park Jeyoung of […]
In London, the red clown noses associated with the Red Nose Day fundraising appeal have undergone a renewable redesign aimed at improving the sustainability profile of the popular charity drive. Once made of rubber or plastic, the telethon’s organizer Comic Relief began looking for a home compostable alternative after the 2020 campaign. The 2023 design—conceived […]
In Wyoming, design firm Pear & Mulberry has launched a miniature Zen garden kit made of bioplastics. Called Meta.Zen, the kit is comprised of magnetic hexagons and small decorative elements suggestive of gardens. The items are made from algae, bamboo, walnut wood, and corn-based polylactic acid. Arranging the components is meant to promote creativity and […]
In the Netherlands, architecture firm Studio RAP has designed a houseboat that replaces a large amount of wood and other building materials with cork—lowering the floating home’s environmental impact in the process. The Dutch houseboat is comprised of a timber structure clad solely in cork. A low-density layer acts as insulation while a denser outer […]
In the United Kingdom, Kelpi has raised £3 million (US$3.6 million) to advance its seaweed-based coatings. Formulated for food and cosmetics packaging, the coatings are compatible with recycling infrastructure and industrial and home composters. The seed round was led by Science Creates Ventures and Green Angel Syndicate, with funding from One Planet Capital and follow-on […]
In Germany, Symrise Cosmetic Ingredients has acquired a minority stake in Synergio, an Israeli producer of plant-based antimicrobial solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2009, Synergio uses biochemistry and a computational platform to develop bioactives for healthier and more sustainable personal care and cosmetic products. Dr. Joern Andreas, President Scent & Care at […]
In Japan, Toray Industries and Idemitsu Kosan Co. are jointly building a supply chain for plastics made from biomass naphtha. Specifically, the two companies are developing biomass-based styrene monomer to be used in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Under the terms of the deal, Idemitsu will leverage the mass balance method to manufacture styrene from biomass. Toray […]
