In Milan, Agape, a luxury design firm known for bathroom fixtures, and British minimalist architect David Chipperfield have showcased a bathtub made from okumè plywood at Milan Design Week. Featuring a pared-back form with an integrated seat, shelf and cantilevered washbasin, the Tambre tub “is distinguished by its warm tone, fine grain and a high […]
In San Diego, Debut, a pioneer in AI-powered biotech innovation, and natural food and beverage colorant producer Oterra have announced a multi-million-dollar collaboration to develop and scale a natural alternative to artificial red colors for food and beverage applications. The partnership will scale Debut’s precision fermentation process to create a high-performing natural alternative to Red […]
In Milan, contemporary pop-design artist KIRAS is using plant-based bioplastic to make 3D print wall sculptures that combine “vibrant aesthetics, sustainable materials, and meticulous craftsmanship.”Her works are showcased in galleries across Europe and “reinterpret the visual language” of today’s culture. “I create art to make people smile,” says KIRAS. “My pieces are meant to bring […]
In Copenhagen, gas fermentation leader LanzaTech and BRIGHT, a research center at Technical University of Denmark, have partnered to accelerate “carbon-to-value” biotechnology in Europe. The partnership, which runs until April 2028, includes the design and installation of a next-generation C1 biofoundry at DTU. The biofoundry will utilize gas fermentation where microbes transform CO₂, CO and […]
In Massachusetts, polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolymers producer CJ Biomaterials and South Korea’s Yuhan-Kimberly have launched the world’s first biodegradable and reusable nonwoven paper towel made with amorphous PHA. Now available in South Korea, the Kleenex® Biodegradable Reusable Dishtowel features CJ’s proprietary PHACT™ A1000P. The material is derived from sustainably grown, plant-based raw materials including sugarcane. Yuhan-Kimberly combined […]
In Sweden, GAIA BioMaterials has received final confirmation on the approval of its European patent for polylactic acid-free film extrusion materials. Originally filed back in 2020, the patent covers a new and innovative line of compounds that don’t rely on PLA for its properties. Instead, it substitutes the PLA with a unique blend of biodegradable […]
In Maryland, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity is seeking information on potential biodegradable components for unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion systems. The Request for Information singles out turbines, motors and engine components that would biodegrade under UV or in water. The IARPA RFI follows a successful demonstration by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of structural drone […]
In California, Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $10 million to a team of University of California-Berkley researchers to develop fabrics made from compost but inspired by spider silk. Such fabrics would help address the 92 million tons of textile waste generated by the fashion industry annually. Project lead Ting Xu calls the process waste to […]
In Lithuania, Pentasweet has raised €65 million (US$76.3 million) to build Europe’s first sweet protein production facility. The facility will produce brazzein, a protein that is 1,500 times sweeter than sugar, and is expected to begin production in the first half of next year. Naturally found in a fruit that grows in Central and West Africa, […]
In Italy, cellulose-based microbeads firm Naturbeads has received €4.1 million (US$4.8 million) in funding from the European Structural Fund. The €4.1 million will be used to partially reimburse Naturbeads for the construction of a new production plant in Puglia as well as support R&D costs while it gears up to full commercialization over the next two […]
