In Hong Kong, advances in lab-grown meat development are raising hopes for alternative routes to producing Traditional Chinese Medicines—particularly remedies that have pushed several species to the brink of extinction. TCM is a $434 billion global market that includes exotic therapies like donkey-hide gelatin for strengthening blood but also more conventional practices like acupuncture and […]
In France, iconic fragrance brand Chanel has launched plant-based, biodegradable caps for its perfume bottles. Following two years of research and nearly 50 prototypes, Chanel settled on material made by Sulapac, a Finnish producer of plant-based plastic. Criteria included sound when cap is fastened, and the “depth of the satiny matte finish on the iconic […]
In Oregon, KEEN Footwear has launched what it calls the industry’s first “field to foot” sneaker made using agricultural waste. KEEN says it took two years to develop F2F in partnership with Huntsman Polyurethane. “The use of agricultural waste within polyurethane is an important step toward transforming the footwear industry supply chain,” said Steve Burge, […]
In California, Apple has announced environmental targets including its intention to eliminate mining and use recycled and renewable materials in its products. The announcement follows a comprehensive evaluation of its supply chain, which includes 45 elements and raw materials. Based on impact profiles, Apple is prioritizing efforts to move these materials to a circular model. […]
In Vancouver, medication packaging company Jones Healthcare Group has partnered with good natured products to deliver biobased blister packaging for medications. The companies say that the biobased polyethylene terephthalate used to make the packaging is curbside recyclable as well as food safe. The packaging will be available in Canada. “Together with good natured®, we are […]
In Minnesota, ag giant Cargill has announced it will acquire Arkema’s biobased epoxides business located in Blooming Prairie. The facility produces epoxides by combining soybean oil and other vegetable oils with hydrogen peroxide. The specialty epoxides are key components for Cargill’s existing portfolio of biobased plasticizers and polyols, which are used to make products such […]
In Scotland, a research consortium has found that a filtration system comprised of whiskey coproducts can be used to recover scrap metals from old electronics. The group, made up of environmental tech company SEM, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Scotland, University of Edinburgh, and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, calls the system “Dram.” Dram first […]
In San Francisco, synthetic biology company MeliBio has held a private tasting event for what it claims to be the world’s first bee-free honey. The Berkeley-based company produces honey molecularly identical to the yummy vomit generated by bees. Green Queen’s Alessandra Franco, who was among the lucky few to score a sample, said MeliBio’s product […]
In Berkeley, California, animal-free milk protein producer Perfect Day has closed a $350 million Series D investment round. The company says it will use the funds to expand its focus across biological engineering, ingredient innovation, and consumer products. The round, co-led by Temasek and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), included participation from Disney […]
In Chicago, McDonald has announced that it is phasing out fossil fuel-based plastic from its Happy Meal toys in more than 100 countries as it transitions to mostly recycled and renewable plastics and sustainable fibers by 2025. Specifically, it aims to reduce the use of traditional plastics by 90% compared to 2018. The company is […]
