The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of February 8th.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s Digest, flax fiber skis, biobased turf for 2020 Olympics, Gevo\u2019s isoprene, Veja vegan leather, castor oil jacket membrane \u2014 these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online.<\/p>\n
#1 Flax fiber skis and snowboards hit the slopes
\nIn the United Kingdom, flax fibers are becoming more prevalent as part of the layers in skis and snowboards as a biobased alternative. While early skis were made from wood, modern skis and snowboards are increasingly made of composites and layers with a variety of materials, typically made with plastic, carbon, or glass fibers. However, many of those materials are not sustainable or biodegradable, so flax fibers is a greener option while also having some technical advantages over glass and carbon fibers, according to Paul Sherratt of the Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University.
\n\u201cFlax is much better at dampening, so it helps reduce vibrations and improves the feel of products, which is an incredibly complicated area within sport,\u201d Sherratt told Phys.org.<\/p>\n
Ignaas Verpoest of the Composite Materials Group at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, in Belgium, told Phys.org that \u201cthere is a simple reason why vibrations disappear faster: the structure of flax. A carbon or glass fibre is a solid filament, while a flax fibre is a made up of tiny elementary fibres, which dissipate energy and produce fewer vibrations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bcomp is one of the companies that now produces flax fiber fabrics and a range of balsa wood and flax cores for skis and snowboards. <\/p>\n #2 2020 Olympics will feature biobased turf Turf maker Polytan says 60% of the Poligras turf will be made with biobased filaments. An elastic base layer ensures optimum absorption while a low-CO2 binder ensures permanent binding. The field will also require just a third of the water as previous surfaces used in Olympic games. The Tokyo Games have set a target of being the first-ever carbon neutral Olympics.<\/p>\n \u201cFIH [International Hockey Federation] is delighted that this new turf technology will support Tokyo\u2019s carbon-neutral vision and make a positive contribution to the Games\u2026 FIH firmly believes that hockey can contribute to a more sustainable environment by making use of all the technological possibilities modern turf offers,\u201d says FIH CEO Thierry Weil.<\/p>\n Braskem\u2019s biobased polyethylene is produced using ethanol derived from sugarcane. More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n #3 Gevo claims to have harpooned industrial biotech\u2019s white whale: Viable renewable isoprene The process uses \u201cfusel oils,\u201d a mixture of alcohols that are byproducts from fermentation processes such as ethanol production. The ethanol industry alone generates 2.5 million tons of this waste annually. The market for isoprene is expected to reach $4 billion by 2025, with 7% annual growth driven by the automotive sector.<\/p>\n \u201cRenewable, low-carbon, low-cost isoprene has been pursued by a lot of companies over the years without commercial success. Fermentation processes were always deemed to be too expensive to make isoprene directly,\u201d says Dr. Patrick Gruber, Chief Executive Officer of Gevo. \u201c[However, o]ur team was able to translate what we learned while developing renewable, sustainable jet fuel and isooctane, to enable other viable alcoholic feedstocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Gevo will pursue a licensing strategy, offering the technology to ethanol producers who want to improve the profitability of their facilities, chemical plants that want cost competitive low-carbon isoprene, or standalone businesses. <\/p>\n #4 Castor oil based membrane in new jacket \u201cThe fight against climate change requires ending our dependence on fossil fuels,\u201d Julien Durant, Picture Co-Founder told SNews. \u201cUsing recycled materials from plastic bottles does considerably reduce the impact on the environment, but those plastic bottles are still petroleum-based waste, and therefore not a long-term solution.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe technology has been around for a long time, but not used very much in modern-day textile manufacturing,\u201d explains Jeremy Rochette, Picture Co-Founder and Head of Design. \u201cWe know that it is just as durable and waterproof\/breathable as the petroleum-based membranes on the market. While we\u2019re only introducing it in two products right now, there is real potential for expansion as we continue to work with suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n #5 Samsung eyes bioplastics in packaging revamp \u201cTo revamp product packaging, Samsung Electronics has formed a task force involving design and development, purchasing, marketing and quality control for innovative packaging ideas,\u201d Samsung said in a statement.<\/p>\n The move will minimize waste and is in line with \u201csociety\u2019s environmental issues such as resource depletion and plastic wastes,\u201d adds Gyeong-bin Jeon, head of Samsung\u2019s Global Customer Satisfaction Center.<\/p>\n The company has also promised to use 500,000 tons of recycled plastics by 2030 as well as collect 7.5 tons of discarded Samsung products. #6 100% Kona coffee now in biobased, recyclable coffee pods Pooki\u2019s Mahi goal for Kona KaKao is to introduce unblended 100% single-origin coffees that have strong cacao, chocolate or mocha taste delivered in a single serve recyclable coffee pod or capsules. Pooki\u2019s Mahi 100% Kona KaKao coffee is roasted and injected into a bio-based pod with mesh netting. Pooki\u2019s Mahi Kona KaKao coffee pods are 100% recyclable and work in most 1.0, and 2.0 single serve coffee makers. #7 Veja launches vegan leather sneaker The material was made by \u201cwaxing\u201d canvas material with a corn waste material, creating a remarkably leather-based appearance. The cotton was grown using organic methods in Peru and Brazil. Other materials used in the shoe include renewable rubber.<\/p>\n Veja founders S\u00e9bastien Kopp and Fran\u00e7ois-Ghislain Morillion tell Fast Company it took years to develop the process. The brand also uses other sustainable materials, like silk, and more innovative options, such as tilapia skin. \u201cReplacing leather with plastic does not sound like a good solution to us,\u201d Kopp adds.<\/p>\n Production of conventional leather emits greenhouse gas, requires toxic chemicals, and contributes to deforestation in Brazil. <\/p>\n #8 Personal care giant taps Bio-on for bioplastic \u201cThis new product line is a concrete example of how Unilever sees sustainability and proposes innovative solutions for consumers, pursuing the goals stated in its Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) business model,\u201d says Fulvio Guarnieri, chairman and CEO of Unilever Italia. \u201cWith My Kai, Unilever is simultaneously fulfilling two objectives of the USLP: to help more than a billion people to improve their health and wellbeing by 2020 and to halve the environmental impact of its products by 2030.\u201d<\/p>\n My Kai will be on shelves by March 2019. <\/p>\n #9 Ph.D. student invents biodegradable sanitary napkin \u201cIt is made of cellulose derivatives,\u201d derived from plants, says Preethi Ramadoss, who is a student of the Department of Crystal Growth Centre of Anna University. \u201cIt [also] has turmeric, vettiver and neem and lemon extracts. It has been tested against common pathogens responsible for bacterial vaginosis in women.\u201d<\/p>\n The materials absorb 1,700% of its own weight, Ramadoss tells The Hindu. She adds that she was inspired to create the sanitary napkin by her mother\u2019s preference for natural-based home remedies. \u201cShe created a love for nature and environment in me and when I got this opportunity, I chose to develop something that would be useful for women and not harm nature,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The project received funding from the Department of Science and Technology for Women Scientists.<\/p>\n AU has applied for a patent. <\/p>\n #10 Forget the bug spray \u2013 just paint some stripes on to protect against bloodsucking insects Most of the indigenous communities who paint their bodies live in areas where there is an abundance of bloodsucking horseflies, mosquitoes or tsetse flies. When these insects bite people there is a risk of bacteria, parasites and other pathogens being transferred.<\/p>\n The study shows that body-painting provides protection against the insects. A brown plastic model of a human attracted ten times as many horseflies as a dark model painted with white stripes. The researchers also found that a beige-coloured plastic figure used as a control model attracted twice as many bloodsuckers as the striped model.<\/p>\n According to Susanne \u00c5kesson, professor at Lund University\u2019s Department of Biology, \u201cBody-painting began long before humans started to wear clothes. There are archaeological finds that include markings on the walls of caves where Neanderthals lived. They suggest that they had been body-painted with earth pigments such as ochre.\u201d The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of February 8th. In today\u2019s Digest, flax fiber skis, biobased turf for 2020 Olympics, Gevo\u2019s isoprene, Veja vegan leather, castor oil jacket membrane \u2014 these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online. 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\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Tokyo, the 2020 Olympic Games will use biobased polyethylene produced by Braskem in its field hockey turf.<\/p>\n
\nIn Colorado, Gevo has developed a catalytic route to convert biobased alcohols into isoprene, a precursor to rubber.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn France, Picture Organic Clothing introduced a new 20k\/20k membrane made from caster oil in their new Harvest Jacket and Bib. The membrane, called Pebax Renew, is a way for the clothing company to reduce fossil fuel use in their products. While all their products must have at least 50% recycled or biobased materials, this new membrane takes it a step further.<\/p>\n
\nIn Japan, electronics giant Samsung has announced it will replace plastic packaging materials with recycled and biobased plastics and paper.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn California, Pooki\u2019s Mahi added 100% Kona KaKao coffee in bio-based pods in a limited release to their 100% Kona coffee product line giving customers an option to enjoy coffee with naturally flavored mocha, cacao and chocolate tastes while knowing the coffee pod is 100% recyclable.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Paris, eco-friendly shoe brand Veja has launched Campo, a sneaker that uses vegan leather made from canvas.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Italy, Unilever has tapped Bio-on for bioplastic micro powders for a new range of ecofriendly sunscreens. Dubbed My Kai, the sun protection line will be the first using Bio-On\u2019s minerv bioplastic micro powders introduced in 2017.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Chennai, a Ph.D. student has invented a plastic-free sanitary napkin that biodegrades in just one month.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Sweden, a study by researchers from Sweden and Hungary shows that white, painted stripes on the body protect skin from insect bites. It is the first time researchers have successfully shown that body-painting has this effect. Among indigenous peoples who wear body-paint, the markings thus provide a certain protection against insect-borne diseases.<\/p>\n
\nMore on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"