In Massachusetts, Biophilica, the company behind Treekind plastic-free leather alternative, is using products from paper and pulp company Sappi, to make Treekind look and feel more realistic. Specifically, Biophilica is applying Sappi’s high-fidelity, 3D, leather grain solution to impart texture to Treekind through the application of Sappi’s Ultracast Viva® release paper. “Inclusion of plastic-containing coatings […]
In Ohio, industrial designer Connor Rusnak has developed an eye-pleasing wifi router prototype using cork as a casing material. Dubbed Pella, Rusnak tells Yanko Design a biodegradable material was chosen to help address the millions of tons of electronics waste that gets tossed every year. “The cork is not just a building material but an […]
In Japan, household name watchmaker Casio has added watches partially made from castor beans to its outdoors-focused Pro Tek Climber line. Already available on Amazon, the Pro Trek PRG-340SC-5 and PRG-340SC-2 are designed for “rugged performance in challenging terrain.” The watch cases and straps are made from bioplastics sourced from plant-based materials, including castor oil. […]
In South Korea, Samsung Electronics product designer Hwan Ju Jeon has created a prototype printer that uses used coffee grounds as ink. While soy-based inks exist as an alternative to conventional, petroleum-based printer inks, the RITI coffee printer concept envisions using material that would otherwise be household trash. “Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this […]
In Poland, Bio PlastPom and Gdańsk University of Technology have developed a biodegradable and compostable packaging material made from potato starch. Tradenamed NOPLA, the material is free of artificial ingredients or plastics and breaks down without adding microplastics into the environment. It is expected to comply with EN 13432 composting standards and EU Directive 904/2019 […]
In the United Kingdom, researchers at University of Bristol are exploring the possibility of producing super-thin biodegradable wires from amino acids and heme molecules similar to those found in hemoglobin, but manufactured using yeast. The work, which is detailed in a recent issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could lead to […]
In Chicago, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Innovate Illinois have announced $680 million in combined cash match and strategic investments from public and private partners for the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub. iFab recently applied for Phase 2 Implementation Grants to “solidify Illinois’ position as a leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation,” according […]
In Iowa, the US Department of Agriculture held its second National Biobased Products Day celebration on March 8, with a press conference highlighting the accomplishments of people and organizations working to improve sustainability. USDA also marked the occasion by releasing two reports and announcing a National Institute of Food and Agriculture $10,000,000 investment in Oregon […]
In Dubai, Novel Foods Group is planning a $500-million precision fermentation production hub to scale production of brazzein, a sweeter-than-sugar protein found in the difficult-to-cultivate West African Oubli plant. According to vegconomist, a deal was reached between Novel Foods Group, Glatt Group, BioEngineering AG, and CB Consultancy AG to scale production of brazzein using fermentation […]
In London, a startup producing a leather alternative using spent grains from local beer brewers hopes to launch its first product later this year. Founded in 2022 by vegetarians Brett Cotten and Edward Mitchell, Arda Biomaterials gathers its feedstock from the Bermondsey Beer Mile, so named for its copious number breweries and beer bars. The […]
