Corn-based utensils booted from compost heap
In Oregon, Republic Services has banned corn-based silverware and cups made by a local company from its compost collection services because they don’t break...
Flexible, renewable electronics within sight
In Singapore, a literature review by researchers at the Nayang Technological University has determined that flexible electronics are steadily advancing toward reality thanks to...
Sukano, NatureWorks advance renewable drinking straws
In Switzerland, additive and color masterbatch firm Sukano has produced high-performance, compostable drinking straws using NatureWork’s Ingeo-brand polylactic acid bioplastic.
Straws are currently produced from...
Dow-DuPont casualties join Delaware incubator
In Delaware, DuPont researchers laid off ahead of the company’s megamerger with Dow Chemical have formed Science, Technology & Research Institute of Delaware, a...
UAE researchers report desert algae discovery
In the United Arab Emirates, researchers have engineered a new microalgae that can grow in deserts, creating a production source for biofuels, biobased products,...
Metsä Fibre pulp and lignin projects receive EU funding
In Finland, Metsä Fibre projects in both pulp- and lignin-based fibers have received European Union funding to evaluate the products’ commercial viability.
Metsä Fibre’s Biomotive...
Givaudan nabs Dutch extracts maker
In Switzerland, flavors and fragrances major Givaudan has closed the previously announced acquisition of Vika B.V., a Dutch manufacturer of natural dairy ingredients and...
British student develops fashion from discarded paper
In the United Kingdom, a Manchester School of Art student has developed a biodegradable, flexible fabric from discarded paper while studying for a Textiles...
Urine space: Yeast turns astronaut pee into useful materials
In South Carolina, Clemson University professor Mark Blenner has demonstrated that untreated urine can fulfill the nitrogen needs of the omega-3 fatty acid-producing yeast...
“Cyborg” bacteria grows its own solar panels, harnesses light better than chlorophyll
In California, researchers have developed “cyborg” bacteria that act like tiny solar panels and produce the industrially important chemical acetic acid.
Using Moorella thermoacetica, University...