In Dallas, cosmetics giant Mary Kay has awarded grants to aspiring young scientists at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, including a second-place award for an innovative bioplastic made from chitosan. Madalena Filipe and Frederico Mauritty of Lisbon, Portugal came in second with HidroQapa, a waterproof bioplastic made from chitosan extracted from shrimp shell […]
In Michigan, outdoor apparel maker Merrell has launched a plant-based apparel collaboration with Parks Project, a streetwear brand committed to conserving national parks. The collection’s hiking shoe, dubbed Moab 3, features mushroom-based materials as well as recycled laces, webbing, and mesh lining. The Merrell and Parks Project tie-up also includes long and short-sleeve shirts, fleece […]
In Finland, Ivy Farm and Synbio Powerlabs have signed an agreement to scale and produce cultivated meat in Finland at the world’s largest cultivated meat and precision fermentation facility. With the support of a €2.99 million (US$3.26 million) grant from the Finnish government, Synbio Powerlabs is transforming a large food-grade facility close to the capital […]
In Finland, Business Finland has conditionally approved a grant of more than €12 million (US$13.6 million) to biotech startup Enifer to fund its first commercial-scale PEKILO mycoprotein ingredient factory. The PEKILO fungal fermentation technology was used from 1975 to 1991 to convert forest industry byproducts into feed protein. Enifer is taking the process “many steps […]
In London, PETA has recognized several fashion houses for their efforts to use biobased and cruelty-free materials in their clothing and accessories. Ganni won trendsetter of the year for a jacket made out of a biomaterial produced by Polybion. The Danish fashion brand was also recognized for its work with plant leather innovator, Ohoskin. MoEa […]
In Boston, strain engineering pioneer Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings has received notice from the New York Stock Exchange that the company’s average stock closing price was less than $1 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period—setting a countdown for Ginko to boost its price or be delisted. Under the NYSE rules, Ginkgo now has a […]
In Rwanda, telecommunications company MTN Rwanda is developing biodegradable SIM cards based on paper. According to the company, over 4 billion plastic SIM cards are produced annually. MTN Rwanda’s bioSIM cards are made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council-certified raw materials, meaning the paper comes from sustainably managed forests. SIM cards, or Subscriber Identity Module cards, […]
In Italy, researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have developed a “biohybrid” robot from flour and oat fruit that can be filled with seeds and fertilizers to help reforestation. Dubbed HybriBot, the robot features “oat appendices” that move in the presence of air moisture, building elastic energy and replacing the need for batteries or other […]
In Germany, Verbio has broken ground on a biobased specialty chemicals plant at Bitterfeld. The €80-100 million (USD$87.2-109 million) site will use Novel Prize-winning ethenolysis technology to produce ingredients for detergents and cleaning agents; high-performance lubricants for engines; and plastics. The plant will use rapeseed oil methyl ester as feedstock. The rapeseed oil is first […]
In Thailand, leading polylactic acid producer NatureWorks has obtained a $350-million loan to finance its fully integrated PLA plant at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex. The loan, provided by Krungthai Bank PCL, will support both the construction and ongoing operations at the facility. The plant will utilize locally sourced sugarcane as feedstock. “This funding will enable […]
