In Finland, researchers at the University of Turku have created a cyanobacteria biofilm that produced ethylene—a major building block of the chemical industry—for more than a month. The team genetically engineered cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to produce ethylene by inserting a gene for ethylene-forming enzyme acquired from Pseudomonas syringae. The only inputs were sunlight […]
In the Netherlands, a student team and an Israel startup have designed and constructed a prototype electric car with numerous biobased elements, including coconut fiber and horsehair seats and a flax chassis. Dubbed Luca, the zero-waste vehicle was designed by TU/ecomotive, a student company at Eindhoven University of Technology, and UBQ, a Tel Aviv-Yafo-based company […]
In Belgium, a dairy technology startup has launched a “bounty hunt” for a fungal strain that can produce milk proteins. Those Vegan Cowboys—the brainchild of plant-based meat company The Vegetarian Butcher—has offered €2.5 million ($2.94 million) for the strain. The company aims to produce cheese other dairy products without the environmental impact and cruelty of […]
In California, major brands have formed a consortium with Bolt Threads to commercialize mycelium-based leather in 2021. Adidas, Stella McCartney, Lululemon and Kering, which owns Gucci, have invested “seven figures” in the material, dubbed Mylo by producer Bolt Threads. Creating a market for the material will accelerate economies of scale, consortium members say. “What we […]
In Australia, Carapac is working to commercialize a process that converts waste crustacean shells from Asia Pacific’s seafood industry into biodegradable, soil-enriching bioplastic films. Kimberly Bolton, CEO of Carapac, tells AUManufacturing the company uses chitosan, extracted from shrimp and crab shells, to make films that biodegrade in 90 days—depositing nutrient nitrogen into the soil in […]
In London, charity Comic Relief says its popular Red Nose Day event will feature plant-based red in 2021 thanks to a write-in environmental campaign by students concerned about plastics waste. The noses given to donors will be made from sugarcane waste product bacassa. The noses will be available in 10 styles, including squirrel, badger, and […]
In India, a potentially game-changing COVID-19 test, named after Indian Sherlock Holmes Feluda, promises accurate results in under 30 minutes using a paper test strip. Produced by Indian conglomerate Tata, Feluda would also be cheaper than conventional tests, coming in at about 500 rupees ($6.75). India’s current testing methods face shortages and long wait times […]
In the Netherlands, a company has launched a biodegradable clothing hanger made from renewable materials such as potato starch, corn, beetroot, coffee grounds and grass. Hooks Creative says the hanger took two years to develop and local production was prioritized. “We can now put an end to the gigantic CO2 emissions by sea freight from […]
In Himachal Pradesh, India, two entrepreneurs are making tableware and COVID-19 masks from pine needles to simultaneously help the populous nation address its plastics waste challenge and prevent forest fires common to the region. Himachal native Abhinav Talwar, who founded Vasshin Composites in 2019 with Maithri V, says the startup collects the region’s abundant fallen […]
In France, chemical producer Arkema has issued its first green bond to raise cash for a previously announced biobased polyamide 11 production site in Singapore. Trade named Rilsan, the polyamide 11 is made from castor oil. The €300 million ($353 million) will also be used to build capacity for Rilsan’s biobased amino monomer precursor. The […]
