Soy-based chemicals set to grow, but feedstock volatility remains a concern
In London, market research firm Technavio is forecasting 8% compound annual growth for soy-based chemicals through 2022. Demand drivers include biofuels, in agriculture-based economies...
Daio Paper opens cellulose nanofiber pilot plant
In Japan, Daio Paper has started producing cellulose nanofibers at a 10 metric tons/year pilot plant at Shikoku-Chuo City. The company hopes to eventually...
Biobased kicks company has successful run on Kickstarter
In New Zealand, a startup making shoes from natural materials has raised $120,000 in just 4 days on Kickstarter.
Allbirds set out to raise just...
Natural toothpaste launches with offbeat flavor options
In Oregon, Schmidt’s Naturals is targeting millennials with a newly launched line of toothpastes that include ingredients such as superfood extracts, vitamins, magnolia bark,...
Glitter destined for ecofriendly makeover
In the United Kingdom, glitter might go the way of microbeads because of environmental concerns, ushering in new opportunities for biobased replacements like mica...
NREL eyes renewable acrylonitrile for cheaper carbon fiber
In Colorado, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are exploring low-cost, plant-based routes to carbon fiber—a strong, lightweight but pricey material whose use...
Bast fiber-based biocomposites set to grow
In the United Kingdom, market research firm IDTechEx says beneficial properties, competitive cost, legislative drivers, and consumer preferences are driving increasing demand for natural...
Wisconsin researchers report bioplastic precursor breakthrough
In Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering James Dumesic and his team report a high-yield, economical route to furan dicarboxylic...
Welsh University wins EU funding for biotech center
In Wales, Bangor University has received £5 million ($7.0 million) in funding from the European Union to establish the Centre for Environmental Biotechnology.
The funding...
British researchers advance solar cells based on algae
In the United Kingdom, researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed more-efficient solar cells based on algae.
“Photosynthesis generates a flow of electrons that...