Japanese researchers report biobased FDCA breakthrough
In Japan, researchers have developed a method to produce bioplastic precursor furan-2.5-dicarboxylic acid from plant cellulose at high yield.
FDCA can be used to replace...
DuPont partners with Ellen MacArthur Foundation on circular economy
In Delaware, DuPont Biomaterials has joined an Ellen MacArthur Foundation's innovation program aimed at accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
The Circular Economy initiative,...
Canadian startup converts food waste to bioplastic
In Toronto, startup Genecis Bioindustries is converting food waste into the bioplastic polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
“We program bacteria to convert low-value waste into high-value materials,” CEO...
Personal care giant Unilever taps Bio-on for biodegradable microbeads
In Rome, Unilever and Bio-on have partnered to develop personal care products that boast a smaller—or even nonexistent—environmental impact.
The partnership will leverage Bio-on’s technology...
Cow poop fabric could be yucky answer to fashion’s sustainability problem
In the Netherlands, a startup is looking to an unlikely source—cow poop—to create new, sustainable fabrics.
Jalilia Essaidi, founder of Mestic, says cellulose—which cotton contains...
Seaweed-based sauce sachets debut in London
In the United Kingdom, meal delivery service Just Eat has launched seaweed-based sauce containers to help cut down on plastic waste.
The sauce “sachets”—which, unlike...
Starch breakthrough could set the stage for algae products boom
In Japan, researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tohoku University say they have discovered a way to increase starch output in algae.
The...
Innovation awards highlight importance of natural solutions in cosmetics
In Asia, renewable cosmetics ingredients are sweeping in-cosmetics innovation awards. France’s Silab won Best Active Ingredient gold for Ecobiotys, a yeast-derived ingredient that improves...
U.K. kids’ snack startup differentiates with biobased packaging
In the United Kingdom, packaging firm Parkside has developed biobased packaging for Wallaroo snacks.
The healthy snacks—available in pineapple, coconut, and mango—are made for kids....
Croda launches 100% biobased surfactant
In the United Kingdom, chemical company Croda has launched a new, 100% biobased surfactant shortly after completing construction of a renewable ethylene oxide plant...