Edible, gelatinous blob aims to be the new plastic bottle
In London, start-up Skipping Rocks Lab has developed a gelatinous, edible, and tasteless packaging from calcium chloride and brown algae extract that it says...
Italian report finds many biobased building materials are seismically favorable
In Italy, environmental organization Legambiente is advocating the use of biobased materials in future construction as a way of improving the safety of structures...
College student creates packaging material from seagrass
In London, Royal College of Art student Felix Pöttinger has developed a biodegradable packaging material made from seagrass.
The seagrass, which washes up on beaches,...
USDA scientists mix starch with PVOH, create better-performing films
In Illinois, US Department of Agriculture researchers have developed a starch-based coating that, when blended with polyvinyl alcohol, creates a film with improved biodegradability,...
Bio-inspired art added to curriculum at University of Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, a university’s art, biological systems engineering, design, and physics programs have jointly sponsored an artist-in-residence who is blending art and science to...
Knock on wood: Mainers look to biotech to sustain beleaguered logging industry
In Maine, the logging industry is pinning its hopes on biobased products to help sustain revenue and jobs.
Maine has more forests than any other...
Evolva, Cargill consummate partnership, move ahead with stevia production
In Nebraska, Evolva and Cargill have signed an agreement to build capacity for the sweetener stevia using Evolva’s fermentation-based technology. The product, dubbed EverSweet,...
Nematodes no more: Bayer gains approval for biological in Greece
In Greece, Bayer’s biological nematicide BioAct Prime DC has been approved for use. Bayer expects to launch the product this year, with approvals in...
Biobased farnesene finds tacky new application
In Pennsylvania, Total subsidiary Cray Valley has launched tackifying resins using biobased farnesene produced by Amyris.
Tackifying resins are traditionally derived from trees, citrus fruit...
DSM opens biotech center, honors DNA-pioneer Rosalind Franklin
In the Netherlands, DSM has opened a biotechnology lab to develop food and nutrition, feed, fuel, pharma, and materials products from renewable sources. DSM...