In South Korea, LG Chem has supplied California toy company Mattel with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene based on vegetable feedstocks. LG Chem can produce about 2 million tons of transparent ABS annually, according to Aju Business Daily. The thermoplastic biopolymer is certified by ISCC PLUS, a program verifying biobased and circular raw materials. LG Chem says […]
In Utah, popular ski equipment maker Rossignol Group will spend $50 million in coming years to boost sustainability efforts, including efforts to increase use of renewable materials. The funds will help the brand meet its goal of $500 million in sales by 2026—an increase of over 60% compared to its 2021-2022 fiscal year. The cash […]
In the United Kingdom, designer American designer Suzie McMurtry has created a mushroom spore “cannon” that can help detoxify soil after a wildfire. Dubbed Living with Wildfire, the system is comprised of a flame-retardant mycelium pod and a steel container full of water and dormant mushroom spores, closed with a cork. The idea is the […]
In the Netherlands, Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Lina Chi is hoping to reinvigorate use of linoleum—a biobased material launched in the 1950s that became popular in the 1950s as a flooring material but would eventually be supplanted by polyvinyl chloride. Made from materials such as cork, wood dust and limestone mixed with linseed oil and […]
In London, Unilever executives have publicly called dairy “problematic” as it invests in R&D to produce alternatives via precision fermentation. The consumer goods giant, which counts Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, and Breyers among its brands, said at a recent media event that it is working with startups in Europe and could launch products in 2023, […]
In France, Microphyt, a producer of microalgae-based natural solutions for nutrition and well-being, has announced a Series B fund raise of €15 million (US$15.7 million). Microphyt says the funds will be used to accelerate new product development and commercialization of its portfolio as well as to increase production of Microphyt’s industrial platform in Baillargues. Microphyt […]
In Florida, GreenTechnologies announced that its research and commercialization project for a new Reactive Layer Coating (RLC) technology for biobased fertilizers has been awarded a highly competitive Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II Award of $649,875 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). GreenTechnologies noted that it will develop pilot scale manufacturing capabilities […]
In Argentina, architect Juan Manuel Prieto has used artificial intelligence to conceptualize “Habitable Monsters” to draw attention to the potential of living architecture. Made of organic materials such as muscle tissue, fur, scales, tentacles, and even fangs, the living but (hopefully) non-sentient structures would be energy-efficient, feeding off of the waste of its inhabitants. In […]
In California, the paper nacho cheese cups Taco Bell has introduced in some restaurants to comply with plastic bans has divided the internet, with some patrons applauding the sustainability initiative and others complaining the cups are smaller and less durable. According to Mashed.com, which did a deep dive on the topic, the main complaint among […]
In Spain, sustainable automotive company LIUX has unveiled a 3D printed electric vehicle prototype that uses 90% recycled and plant-based materials. Named Animal, the car’s body, interior, and chassis are made from biopolymer fibers and resins. Body panels are made from cork and linen. “A large part of the outer bodywork” will be made of […]
