The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of January 25th.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s Digest, castor oil ski boots, biohybrid car, Neutrogena 3D printed hydrogel mask, biosolvents, biobowls \u2014 these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online.<\/p>\n
#1 Slide down the slopes with ski boots made with castor oil and carbon
\nIn Italy, outdoor footwear and clothing company, La Sportiva, opens 2019 with ski boots made with castor oil based polymers and carbon shells as well as other solutions, materials and certifications designed to minimize the environmental impact of their products and give an even stronger and tangible sign of corporate commitment to the environment.<\/p>\n
On the Hardgoods side, the collection of technical ski boots (skialp) is completed with Skorpius CR, a boot dedicated to advanced ski mountaineers with a reinforced carbon shell for powerful and safe skiing, triple compatibility with Tech, AT and Trab TR2 bindings and shell and cuff in the innovative and eco-compatible Pebax Rnew Bio-based material, a polymer obtained from castor oil plants.<\/p>\n
The new Ski-Tour apparel line sees the launch of garments made entirely or partially from fabrics and padding obtained from the reuse of recycled polyester and certified by RePET, resulting from the recycling of plastic bottles.<\/p>\n
La Sportiva formalizes their entry as a new member of the International Organization 1% For the Planet in which members contribute by allocating at least 1% of their annual turnover to environmental projects and causes. #2 Biobased solvent enables graphene breakthrough According to Circa, the findings have \u201cfar-reaching commercial applications and open up multi-million-euro market opportunities for graphene in applications such as advanced composites and polymers, coatings, batteries and supercapacitors, 3D printed materials and functional fluids. More specifically, graphene inks can directly be applied to materials like textile and paper and used in many applications including transistors, sensors, antennas, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and wearable electronics.\u201d The work, entitled \u201cSustainable production of highly conductive multilayer graphene ink for wireless connectivity and IoT applications,\u201d was published in a recent issue of Nature Communications.<\/p>\n Circa converts waste biomass into advanced biochemicals at its prototype plant in Tasmania in a joint venture with Norske Skog. The company\u2019s products include biosolvents, flavors, and biopolymers. <\/p>\n #3 Neutrogena introduces personalized 3D printed sheet mask Personalization with the Neutrogena MaskiD happens in three ways \u2013 first with the shape of the mask itself. Using a smartphone 3D camera, the user simply snaps a selfie to create a precise, multi-dimensional map of her face and the exact measurements and shape of her nose, space between the eyes, lips, and other unique physical characteristics. #4 Proper rubbish! British newspaper switches to potato-based wrapping The thick Saturday edition previously used polythene plastic. The new bioplastic, based on potato starch that readers can compost or throw away with their own food waste recycling, will be phased in throughout London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.<\/p>\n The change does mean extra costs for the paper but follows the first price increase for the paper in three years. The Sunday edition will increase by 20p to \u00a32.20 and the Saturday edition\u2019s price will go up 30p to \u00a33.20 \u201cSchaeffler presented the Bio-Hybrid product category as a vision for private transportation in urban areas as early as in 2016,\u201d Prof. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO and chief technology officer of Schaeffler told Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology International.<\/p>\n \u201cThis vision is now turning into reality. At the end of 2017, we established Schaeffler Bio-Hybrid. As a spin-off, the fully owned subsidiary is able to operate with the flexibility of a startup and has the mission to develop the Bio-Hybrid to production level. The world premiere of the two near-production prototypes at CES marks the next step on the road to the planned market launch in 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n The vehicle comes in two versions \u2013 a cargo and a passenger version \u2013 which are narrow and can be parked in a third of a standard parking space and operated on bicycle paths with zero emissions. #6 Fast food chain makes sculpture with its literal last straws Designed by creative agency Rethink, the sculpture is made up of 140,000 straws. A&W Canada\u2014the country\u2019s second-largest hamburger chain after McDonald\u2019s\u2014estimates that the switch to paper will keep 82 million plastic straws from landfills and waterways.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to create this sculpture to inspire people and businesses alike that small changes can have a big impact,\u201d says Susan Senecal, A&W Canada\u2019s president and CEO tells Adweek. \u201cIt also fuels our commitment to continuously work toward creating positive change within our own organization.\u201d #7 Popular salad chain considering biodegradable bowls, composting programs Janani Lee, newly promoted to CSO from her previous supply chain director role, tells Forbes the company is looking to transition from disposable plastic bowls to biodegradable fiber bowls. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re looking for an alternative that\u2019s biodegradable. But we want to make sure we\u2019re doing it the right way. We know it\u2019s a focus and it\u2019s really exciting, but we still have a lot of investigating to do,\u201d she adds. The company is also working with Bard University on a composting program.<\/p>\n Lee also aims to increase its reusable bowl program\u2014in which patrons receive free toppings\u2014by 25,000 lbs of plastic to 100,000 lbs. About 20% of Just Salad\u2019 customers are part of the program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re determined to become the gold standard of sustainability in the restaurant space and beyond,\u201d Lee adds. \u201cIt might mean a little more investing upfront, but we know there is a return later. One a wide-scale level, there\u2019s no business at all if we destroy the environment. We\u2019re just trying to do our part on a micro level.\u201d #8 Painting the future together with AkzoNobel Innovators, challenge teams, institutions and industry experts will work together to enhance the submitted ideas, forming a truly collaborative ecosystem. Spearheaded by the company\u2019s Chief Technology Officer Klaas Kruithof, Paint the Future offers winners the opportunity to accelerate commercialization of their solution. The deadline for new submissions is March 1, 2019. #9 Turkey looks to get back into the hemp game Ahmet Atal\u0131k, head of the Istanbul Branch of Chamber of Agriculture Engineers, tells Daily Sabah that hemp is stronger than cotton and flax fiber and can be used in numerous industries. \u201cEven for the printing of the government banknotes, a synthetic and durable cellulose is necessary, and this can be extracted from cannabis,\u201d he said. \u201cThinner cannabis fibers are used in the textile industry for clothe making, particularly summer clothes. Cannabis oils are used in varnish, polishing and oil paint in addition to various cosmetic products. As a matter of fact, the giant cosmetics producer South Korea is one of the largest consumers and exporters of cannabis oils. The different and processed seeds of cannabis can also be used as forage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIn the United Kingdom, the University of Manchester has used Circa Group\u2019s biobased solvent Cyrene to produce the highest-quality graphene ink ever achieved.<\/p>\n
\nProduced from cellulose, Circa\u2019s Cyrene was able to outperform traditional solvents, including the toxic chemical N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn California, Neutrogena developed its most personalized skincare product ever, the Neutrogena MaskiD which is a data-powered, custom-printed hydrogel mask created from cellulose sourced from locust beans and red seaweed. The hydrogel mask, created from cellulose sourced from locust beans and red seaweed, is custom-3D-printed with a unique combination of five powerhouse ingredients from the Neutrogena library of clinically-tested skincare solutions.<\/p>\n
\nNext, personalized data from the Neutrogena Skin 360 system creates the virtual equivalent of a knowledgeable dermatologist and analyzes the skin\u2019s needs, making a recommendation for what ingredients will be most beneficial and where. Finally, using a proprietary 3D printing process, high-efficacy ingredients are printed onto the custom-fit hydrogel mask on the exact zones of the mask where they will deliver the greatest benefit for that individual.
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn the UK, daily newspaper Guardian is switching its print issue to biodegradable wrapping made from potato waste at the urging of readers concerned over plastic waste.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a>
\n#5 Schaeffler unveils bio-hybrid vehicle
\nIn Nevada, Germany-based automotive engineering company, Schaeffler, unveiled its \u201cBio-Hybrid\u201d vehicle at CES in Las Vegas. Bio-Hybrid is near production with an expected market launch date of 2020 after a test fleet is put together in mid-2019.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Canada, fast food mainstay A&W Canada has unveiled a sculpture outside of Toronto\u2019s Union Station to commemorate the end of its plastic-straw use. The 35-foot-long sculpture, depicting words \u201cChange is Good,\u201d is literally made from the last straws present in the company\u2019s supply chain now that the eatery is switching to marine-biodegradable paper straws.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn New York, salad bar mainstay Just Salad is expanding its sustainability efforts, including naming a new Chief Sustainability Offer and plans to switch to biodegradable bowls.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.
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\nIn the Netherlands, AkzoNobel launched a \u201cPaint the Future\u201d challenge to connect bright minds and promising solutions from across the globe with AkzoNobel\u2019s expertise, global scale and resources. AkzoNobel startup challenge is now open and ready to discover new and revolutionary solutions that will accelerate innovation in the world of paints and coatings.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe can\u2019t wait to see what exciting developments this collaborative experience brings to the paints and coatings industry,\u201d says AkzoNobel CEO, Thierry Vanlancker. \u201cWe\u2019re driven to create value for our customers, passionate about what we do and always looking ahead. Now, we\u2019re looking to go even further, painting the future together with the world\u2019s coolest innovators.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.
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\nIn Turkey, President Erdo\u011fan is eyeing a return to industrial hemp production for the nation and has raised the issue of expanding cannabis planting during meetings with city governments.<\/p>\n