Tag: California

Bioreactors, reporting for duty: Department of War taps Biosphere to produce army rations out of thin air

May 11, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In California, biomanufacturer Biosphere has been awarded a Department of War Other Transaction Authority agreement to develop an on-demand nutrition production system for warfighters. With a potential value of $9 million, the project will fund the development of a portable biomanufacturing system capable of producing protein rations from air, water, and energy. Specifically, the 42-month […]

Bezos Earth Fund awards $10 million to Berkeley team for compost-based fibers

April 27, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In California, Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $10 million to a team of University of California-Berkley researchers to develop fabrics made from compost but inspired by spider silk. Such fabrics would help address the 92 million tons of textile waste generated by the fashion industry annually. Project lead Ting Xu calls the process waste to […]

Anaergia Technologies lands $5.84M contract with Vanguard Renewables

April 23, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In California, Anaergia Technologies LLC has signed an C$8 million contract with Vanguard Renewables for a follow-up deployment of its proprietary technology and equipment for an advanced anaerobic digestion facility in Minnesota. Anaergia Technologies will deliver a comprehensive platform including its proven process technology, proprietary permanent synchronous magnet (“PSM”) mixers, and the Biogas Upgrading (“BUG™”) […]

Algenesis Labs new carbon footprint results show 65% GHG savings for its polyols

April 21, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In California, Algenesis Labs announced new Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) results showing that its Soleic® product line can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65% compared to petroleum-based alternatives. The preliminary PCF study, conducted in partnership with independent sustainability firm TrueNorth Collective, found that Soleic® polyols and TPUs consistently deliver 50–65% lower carbon emissions […]

Aircapture and Almanac Beer launch world’s first DAC beer

April 21, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In California, Aircapture and California craft beer brewery Almanac Beer Co. announced the launch of Flow – Clean Air Edition (Flow – CAE), the world’s first beer carbonated using CO₂ captured from the atmosphere through onsite Direct Air Capture (DAC). Installed at Almanac’s brewery in Alameda, California, Aircapture’s modular DAC unit pulls carbon dioxide from […]

Allbirds makes unexpected pivot from renewable sneakers to AI

April 20, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In California, a pioneer in using renewable materials in sneakers has unexpectedly announced a major pivot to artificial intelligence. Allbirds, a Nasdaq-listed company with A-list fans such as Lindsey Lohan and Prince William, has announced a definitive agreement to sell the Allbirds brand and footwear assets to American Exchange Group for $50 million. Allbirds, which […]

Algenesis biobased PU boasts lower GHG emissions

April 13, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In California, biobased polyurethane materials startup Algenesis Labs has announced the results of a new Product Carbon Footprint analysis that shows its Soleic® product line can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65% compared to petroleum-based alternatives. The preliminary PCF study, conducted in partnership with independent sustainability firm TrueNorth Collective, found that Soleic® polyols […]

California bill seeks to make E85 kits legal in the state

April 13, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In California, CBS News reports that Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom has introduced to the state’s lower house to allow drivers to install federally approved E85 kits in an effort to reduce fuel costs. AB 2046 known as Access to Affordable Gas would make the state the last in the country to allow these E85 conversion kits. […]

GOB unveils mycelium headphones for concertgoers

April 6, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In California, a company has created earplugs out of mycelium, the fibrous root network of fungi. Called GOB, the company claims the earplugs deliver frequency protection between 12 and 25 decibels, making them suitable for concerts and loud transit. No binders or synthetic additives are required, meaning the earplugs are biodegradable if they end up in […]

ZymoChem touts biobased superabsorbent polymer performance