South Korean consumers push for natural products amid toxic scandal
In South Korea, demand for eco-friendly and biobased products is growing after a lung disease outbreak linked to chemical polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) killed hundreds.
Reckitt...
Ants away! California researchers develop seaweed-based ant bait
In California, scientists at the University of California at Riverside have developed an ant bait made out of seaweed.
The hydrogel baits reduced populations of...
Japan leading commercial applications of cellulose nanofibers
In Japan, cellulose nanofiber is increasingly being used in consumer goods, including disposable diapers, pens, speakers and toilet cleaners.
Paper manufacturing firm Daio Paper Corp.,...
Yeast maker expands in Singapore
In Singapore, French yeast producer Lesaffre has opened its new SGD4-million ($2.9-million) technology center.
The site consolidates Lesaffre’s Asia Pacific operations in baking, food taste,...
Sea sponge bacteria found to produce flame retardant
In California, researchers at the University of California-San Diego have discovered a bacteria on sea sponges that produces compounds close in composition to synthetic...
Patagonia taps silkworm poop, beetles, and pomegranate rinds for textile dyes
In California, high-end outdoor clothing giant Patagonia is working with Swiss textile chemicals firm Archroma to introduce renewable dyes to its new collection of...
Gwyneth Paltrow beauty brand in hot water over all-natural claims
In New York, a beauty product range run by actress-turned-lifestyle-guru Gwyneth Paltrow has been found to contain synthetic chemicals despite its all-natural brand positioning.
A...
Bioamber names CFO, adds Naxos partner to board
In Montreal, biobased succinic acid producer BioAmber has named Mario Settino Chief Financial Officer, replacing interim CFO Raymond Land. Settino previously served as president...
Eastman Chemical launches engineering bioplastic
In Tennessee, Eastman Chemical has launched a new cellulose-based engineering bioplastic dubbed TRĒVA.
Made up of about 50% cellulose, TRĒVA provides chemical resistance to skin...
Slovenian skateboarders find another use for cannabis
In Slovenia, startup Rolkaz Collective is crowdfunding its business to produce skateboards from marijuana cousin hemp.
The “deck” of the skateboard—the main part that the...