10 March 20238 March 2023 PILI, a French biotech and green chemistry company, raises $15.8M to accelerate its industrial scale-up and the decarbonization of the color industry Bpifrance led this round through the fund Ecotechnologies 2, with participation from Famille C Participations and existing investors, such as Elaia Partners
9 March 20236 March 2023 Textile microplastics: New standard assesses fibre release, biodegradation and ecotoxicity for the first time Studies have shown that washing textiles releases microfibres into the wash water, which cannot be sufficiently retained by wastewater treatment plants
IKEA to use bio-based glue for reduced climate footprint To reduce the climate footprint of board production, IKEA is switching from fossil-based to bio-based glues. Today, 5% of the climate footprint of the total IKEA value chain is connected to the use of glue in board materials. With this change, the goal is to reduce fossil-based glue use by 40% and greenhouse gas emissions from glue by 30% by FY30
Cross-linked chitosan/tannin extract as a biodegradable and repulpable coating for paper with excellent oil-resistance, gas barrier and UV-shielding A new study shows chitosan-/tanninextract based epoxy as biodegradable and recyclable coating for paper - with excellent water, oil and UV-aging resistance
Production of Bioplastics Will Triple by 2027 and Reach 6.3 Million Tonnes AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, inaugurated the eighth edition of its International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites, where nearly 20 speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the bioplastics industry, and presented their innovations and success stories
6 March 20231 March 2023 INEOS Styrolution’s Styroflex® proven to be a superior cost-effective binder for bio based products Styroflex is a styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SBC) with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer that is suitable for extrusion and injection molding
3 March 202328 February 2023 PA Consulting and PulPac announce Bottle Collective to minimise single-use plastic waste New Collective will create a fibre bottle alternative to help minimise the use of single-use plastic bottles in food, drink, consumer health and FMCG industries
2 March 202327 February 2023 Lenzing and NFW partner to provide sustainable leather alternatives for fashion The plant-based MIRUM® is a categorically unique material class, perfect for luxury accessories, fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods
28 February 202323 February 2023 From Lab to Market: Bio-Based Products Are Gaining Momentum Propelled by government investment and shareholder demand, manufacturers are pushing to get bio-based products into the marketplace. These new materials — made from plants, fungi, and microbes — aim to replace those that contain toxins and are difficult to recycle or reuse
27 February 202322 February 2023 Evonik partners with AMSilk to manufacture sustainable silk proteins The silk can be used in a broad range of applications including high-quality fashion, smart materials in automotives, and medical devices
24 February 202321 February 2023 PHA – Let the feasting begin The PHAtiCuS project unites the skills of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY, UnaveraChemLab, and Fritzmeier Environmental Technology
22 February 20239 April 2025 Paving the way for a renewable-powered future: New EU research project EMPHASIS to develop novel supercapacitors A cutting-edge energy storage system to meet increasing global energy demands
Processing of bioplastics in biogas production: a forward-looking waste management solution New paper shows that the increasing amount of compostable bioplastics in our waste can be collected and processed with no ecological risk to produce biogas
21 February 20231 March 2023 Bluepha PHA Global Product Launch Event Announcement Bluepha has been working on a new generation of biodegradable material, Bluepha™ PHA for over 6 years, and now it's ready to go to market
20 February 202315 February 2023 Degradation of Plastic Waste using newly Developed Biocatalysts Researchers of the University of Greifswald and from Covestro developed two corresponding methods
17 February 202314 February 2023 Structural proteins for the development of sustainable materials: BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk cooperate to develop high-performance bio-based protein fibers New developments like those currently being developed by BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk could revolutionize the performance materials market
16 February 202314 February 2023 Cellulose Fibres Conference on 8-9 March 2023 in Cologne and online Session on Sustainability and Environmental Impacts - Sustainability and Concern for Environmental Impact are Driving Developments in the Textile Industry
Metsä Spring leads funding round in Fiberwood to make insulation and packaging fossil free This Finnish startup upcycles side streams of the mechanical wood industry to create 100% ecological and recyclable insulation and packaging materials that are free from fossil-based materials
13 February 20238 February 2023 Textile and food waste mixes biodegradation for composite mycelium materials Researchers of Fabricademy found various micro-organisms such as fungi are capable of biodegrading cellulose and other complex plastic molecules
9 February 20236 February 2023 Researchers develop 100% biodegradable paper straws that do not become soggy Korean scientists synthesized polybutylene succinate (PBS), by adding a small amount of cellulose nanocrystals to create a new compostable coating material
8 February 20236 February 2023 Could natural decay be a solution to plastic pollution after all? The worm saliva contains enzymes that can dissolve plastic bags and packaging, and NIOZ researchers even proved that plastics can be broken down by sunlight
Want a stronger biodegradable plastic? Add a ‘pinch’ of cream of tartar Several researchers from KRICT and KTH wanted to see if “seasoning” a biodegradable bioplastic like PBS with fruit-derived tartaric acid or citric acid could improve the plastic’s mechanical properties
7 February 20236 February 2023 Bacteria really eat plastic Scientists at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found out, that bacteria can break down about one percent of the fed plastic per year into CO2 and other harmless substances
Replacing single-use plastic film with algae-based biodegradable edible film A promising project in line with the EU objectives of fighting plastic pollution aims to create a substitute for single-use plastic film in conserving frozen fish
6 February 20231 February 2023 Turning food waste into biodegradable bioplastics Researchers in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received a $2.4 million USDA grant to create affordable bioplastics and reduce plastic waste remaining both on land and in the sea
An introduction to bioplastics in medical applications From medical blisters to body implants, medical plastics are extensively used in the healthcare sector. They have been considered as potential materials for tools and products used in medicine
31 January 202326 January 2023 Wingram Introduces a Green & Sustainable Material: BioAcetate S70 BioAcetate S70’s primary usage is within the eyewear industry. Alternative applications include but are not limited to, household appliances, electronic cigarette parts, and smart phone accessories and covers
27 January 202324 January 2023 Do Plants Clean the Air? The Future of Air Purifying Plants Recent studies have proven that houseplants offer health benefits like improving concentration and productivity, reducing stress levels, and boosting your mood
26 January 202317 December 2024 New tailwind for renewable carbon plastics in EU policy? nova-Institute’s take on the recently published EU proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation as well as the new policy framework for biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics
23 January 202320 January 2023 Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2023 – From Hygiene Products, Sustainability Improved Technologies to Cellulose from Textile Waste and Banana Production Waste Six award nominees will present promising sustainable solutions for the industry in the field of cellulose fibres value chains. The full innovation potential of the cellulose fibre industry will be displayed to a wide audience in Cologne (Germany), and online
18 January 202312 January 2023 Sustainable lignin-PLA composites for food packaging Future research will include additional testing antioxidants and degradation studies. A new study with comprehensive results has been submitted for peer-review publication
17 January 202311 January 2023 Schleich: “We strive to use only sustainable materials” In five years, Schleich figurines will be recyclable or biodegradable. Additionally, the company seeks Cradle to Cradle® certification by 2027 and is working on finding recycled or bio-based materials
Devan launches Purissimo® NTL, a full biobased, biodegradable allergen control technology New biobased finish to reduce allergens
16 January 202316 January 2023 Increasing fiber consumption in 2021 These positive trends contrast with the previous years; mainly because capacities are growing in Asia & Oceania again, led by China
13 January 20236 January 2023 New ‘Spray-On Wrapper’ Offers Plastic-Free Food Packaging Alternative The spray on wrapper’s main ingredient is pullulan, an edible fiber that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “generally recognize[s] as safe” (GRAS)
11 January 20236 January 2023 BioCir Slides: The Full Story Balena Steps Out with 100% Biodegradable Footwear
C&A teams up with circular bioeconomy start-up traceless materials to replace plastic hooks The pilot phase with traceless materials fits in with C&A’s recent circularity initiatives, including Cradle to Cradle Certified® product innovations and collaboration with material sciences company Recover™
10 January 20235 January 2023 Strong and biodegradable A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable: Stefan Mecking, chemist at the University of Konstanz, and his research group present a new material
9 January 20239 January 2023 Successful completion of the iMulch project – Impact of agricultural mulch films on terrestrial ecosystems iMulch investigated the impact of plastics on organisms, soil functions, drainage systems and adjacent water bodies
This wooden debit card puts your money to work in saving the planet Green finance firm Treecard, London, hopes, that the cards will provide a viable alternative to the mass-produced plastic debit and credit cards that make up the vast majority of category
5 January 20232 January 2023 European Green Deal: Putting an end to wasteful packaging, boosting reuse and recycling New proposals of the European Commission are key building blocks of the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan and its objective to make sustainable products the norm
Formerra, Danimer Scientific Announce Sustainable Materials Distribution Relationship Danimer is committed to achieving 100% biodegradable plastics that return to nature instead of polluting lands and waters
6 December 20221 December 2022 Single-use cardboard boxes or reusable plastic crates — which type of packaging is more sustainable? The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT carried out the "Study on plastic-based reusable systems in a circular economy" on behalf of the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg
30 November 202229 November 2022 Small but powerful – microorganisms contribute to greater sustainability at BASF BASF drives transformation towards more sustainability with innovative solutions for raw materials, processes and products
29 November 202224 November 2022 Wood-based plastic may enable circular home furnishings and building materials KTH researchers combined polymer chemistry with process technology similar to what is used for carbon fiber composites and got a degradable wood composite
28 November 202223 November 2022 Melodea Enters U.S. with Plastic-Free Packaging Solution New U.S. plant to boost production of its paper sidestream-sourced barrier coating to serve the Americas
25 November 202222 November 2022 Premium Leather Producer ECCO Leather Partners With Ecovative to Pursue New Mycelium Materials The two companies will collaborate directly to develop the next generation of mycelium materials for footwear, fashion and apparel
23 November 202218 November 2022 DUH ran misleading composting experiment Faulty trial design and composting conditions lead to a foreseeable failure of composting experiment
22 November 202217 November 2022 Wax worm saliva contains enzymes capable of breaking down plastics These enzymes are the first and only known enzymes to degrade polyethylene plastic by oxidizing and breaking it down after just a few hours of exposure - without requiring pre-treatment and at room temperature
21 November 202216 November 2022 Plastics recycling The European RevoluZion-project together with the largest and smartest European factory for sorting plastic waste aim to tackle plastic pollution in our environments