SpongeBob SquarePants must be pretty darn excited today with Lidl\u2019s announcement that they will soon sell seaweed-based underpants produced by Florida-based Nanonic. But that\u2019s not all \u2013 with politics ramped up in the news comes \u201cTrump straws\u201d, airlines checking out your face with biometric identification so you can get onboard more quickly, BASF\u2019s first renewables-based Trilon M grade chelating agent, and more. Here are the Top 10 Innovations for the week of August 9th.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s Digest, seaweed underpants, Trump straws, BASF renewable chelating agents, CBD extraction, biometric IDs for airlines, upcycling coffee waste \u2014 these and more, ready for you now at The Digest online.<\/p>\n
#1 Seaweed-based unmentionables soon for sale in Irish supermarkets<\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland, supermarket chain Lidl will soon sell underpants made from seaweed. Launching August 1st, the underpants are made from SeaCell fiber produced by Florida\u2019s Nanonic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited to stock sustainable underwear made from seaweed! Yes\u2026 seaweed!\u201d the chain wrote on its Facebook page, according to RSVP Live. \u201cSoft, breathable and light, Seacell is an award-winning [fiber] made from renewable resources\u2014seaweed and wood. The [fiber] is carbon neutral and completely biodegradable!\u201d The environmentally-friendly underwear will start at \u00a34.99 (US$6.18).<\/p>\n
Sustainable fashion alternatives are on the rise due to climate change and growing consumer awareness of the industry\u2019s wasteful practices.<\/p>\n
More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #2 Renewables-based chelating agents launched by BASF<\/p>\n In Germany, BASF launched Trilon M Max EcoBalanced, the first renewables-based Trilon M grade produced according to the biomass balance approach. This approach replaces fossil feedstock with renewable feedstock such as bio-naphtha or biogas at the very beginning of production.<\/p>\n The renewable feedstock is then allocated to Trilon M Max EcoBalanced, using a T\u00dcV Nord-certified method. This allows BASF to fully replace fossil feedstock by renewables, not only saving scarce fossil resources, but also reducing damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Trilon M Max EcoBalanced has now been awarded certification based on the global REDcert2 scheme.<\/p>\n Chelating agents are used in a huge variety of applications. In modern dishwasher tabs, chelating agents prevent and dissolve scales and dirt on dishes. In addition, they enhance the cleansing effects of detergents, industrial and general-purpose cleaners and are used as process aids in the paper industry. Chelating agents are also used as intermediates in the production of specialized fertilizers which can add to plant health and avoid salination of soil.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #3 Success of \u201cTrump straws\u201d<\/a> campaign stunt proves the struggle (to drink sweet tea) is real<\/p>\n In Washington DC, a sustainable-lifestyle rallying point\u2014plastic straws\u2014has morphed into a political issue as President Donald Trump\u2019s reelection campaign announces it is about to hit $500,000 in sales for its \u201cTrump Straws.\u201d<\/p>\n The drinking straws\u2014which are red, allegedly reusable plastic drinking straws that sell in a pack of 10 for $15\u2014are the brainchild of Brad Parscale, a campaign manager who suffered the indignity of not being able to consume his sweet tea because of a soggy, paper straw. A tweet about being \u201cso over paper straws,\u201d coupled with the hashtag #LiberalProgress, soon went mildly viral, and the \u201cTrump Straw\u201d stunt was born. Every purchase includes an unspecified campaign donation to Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a great marketing stroke which coincides very much with the president\u2019s disdain for political correctness and dictating how people live their daily lives,\u201d Trump campaign<\/a> communications director Tim Murtaugh tells RealClearPolitics. \u201cThese straws are a perfect marriage of the Trump approach to things and of Trump-marketing. It just works.\u201d<\/p>\n Plastic straw bans have proliferated in the wake of growing awareness over the large amounts of plastic waste that are ending up in the environment, especially oceans. Murtaugh adds that frustration with ineffective plastic straw replacements is a microcosm for the larger frustration with big government and progressives.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #4 Jamaican Me Green: Caribbean distributor switches to paper pulp food packaging<\/p>\n In Jamaica, The Wisynco Group has tapped Plastifar to bring biodegradable, food grade packaging products to the Jamaican market\u2014ahead of the government\u2019s January 2020 ban on Styrofoam.<\/p>\n \u201cWisynco recognizes that the need for long-term environmentally friendly solutions as an alternative to plastic and foam is imperative,\u201d William Mahfood, chairman of Wisynco Limited tells Jamaica\u2019s The Gleaner. \u201cWe are pleased with the new partnership with our neighbors in the Dominican Republic and are proud to be able to offer Jamaicans an affordable and quality product that can meet up to our needs in the food service industry.\u201d<\/p>\n Plastifar\u2019s Bionature line of packaging are made of paper pulp, a carbon-neutral, renewable raw material. Available in six sizes, the packaging is also resistant to grease, steam, and moisture.<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to improving the quality of life in Jamaica and feel we can do this through initiatives such as recycling, as well as providing more environmentally friendly packaging,\u201d Mahfood adds.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #5 Smile! Airlines checking out your face with biometric data recognition tech<\/p>\n In Germany, Star Alliance, the world\u2019s largest airline alliance, and NEC Corporation, a leader in IT, network and biometric technologies, signed a partnership agreement to develop a biometric data-based identification platform that, according to their press release, will improve the travel experience for frequent flyer program customers of Star Alliance member airlines.<\/p>\n Once implemented, Star Alliance customers who opt-in to biometrics will be able to pass through curb-to-gate touchpoints within airports, such as check-in kiosks, bag-drop, lounges, and boarding gates, which traditionally require both a passport and boarding pass, by using a secure identity management solution featuring facial recognition technology.<\/p>\n Star Alliance and NEC aim to introduce the first biometric solution at a Star Alliance airport hub by the first quarter of 2020.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #6 Philippines caf\u00e9 goes viral with coconut-leaf straws<\/p>\n In the Philippines, a caf\u00e9 owner\u2019s Facebook post has spurred interest in using coconut leaves as a sustainable alternative to plastic straws.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Editha manager Sarah Tiu posted<\/a> about how rolling up coconut leaves could create an effective, cheap, and eco-friendly straw. The post was shared thousands of times.<\/p>\n \u201cWe still have a lot to eradicate,\u201d Tiu tells Goodnewsnetwork.com. \u201c[But] hopefully we can find more alternatives to create less waste.\u201d<\/p>\n While Caf\u00e9 Editha is in Surigao del Norte, Tiu got the idea from a restaurant in Siargao, where she recently vacationed. The manager there taught her how to make the straws, locally known as lukays. Caf\u00e9 Editha\u2019s Facebook page features an instructional video for consumers looking to craft their own lukays.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #7 Canopy Growth acquires KeyLeaf Life Sciences for bioproduct extraction needs<\/p>\n In Canada, Canopy Growth Corporation completed a transaction to acquire bio-product extractor KeyLeaf Life Sciences, related entities, and intellectual property. Canopy Growth has been working closely with KeyLeaf \u2013 formerly known as POS Bio-Sciences \u2013 as a partner building out extraction processes and technology for the past year as it refines its scale extraction model for Canadian and global markets.<\/p>\n Through the transaction the Company is acquiring a large-scale Canadian extraction facility as well as an extraction-related facility in the United States to support the Company\u2019s U.S. CBD expansion.<\/p>\n With over 45 years of experience in the canola, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and bio-product industries, KeyLeaf is a recognized leading authority with significant intellectual property relating to plant-based extraction and ingredients.<\/p>\n KeyLeaf has been working closely with Canopy Growth over the past year to retrofit its Saskatchewan facility to advance technology development and commercialization, in order to process hemp and cannabis biomass, and to conduct pre- and post-extraction processes.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #8 Microvi awarded as tech pioneer for innovative biotech in water, wastewater and biochem<\/p>\n In California, Microvi, an advanced materials company focused on providing safe water, sustainable chemicals and a clean environment, was selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic Forum\u2019s \u201cTechnology Pioneers\u201d.<\/p>\n Microvi is an advanced materials company that delivers tailored, low-cost commercial bioprocesses for applications in the water, renewable chemicals and biotech sectors. Microvi made it to the selection for its contributions in the field of advanced biotechnology solutions for safe water\/wastewater treatment as well as the production of sustainable renewable chemicals for a wide range of industries.<\/p>\n The World Economic Forum\u2019s Technology Pioneers are early to growth-stage companies from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #9 Millennial unveils bioplastic made from mango peels and seaweed<\/p>\n In Taiwan, a young research intern at the Institute of Biological Chemistry at the Academia Sinica has developed a bioplastic from mango peels and seaweed.<\/p>\n Originally from Cebu City, Philippines, 23-year-old Denxybel Montinola will showcase the material at the 2019 DOST-BPI Science Awards<\/a> competition later this week.<\/p>\n \u201c[This] bioplastic is created using components called pectin and carrageenan, which are derived from mango peels and seaweed,\u201d Montinola tells CDN Digital. The material is flexible and has mechanical properties similar to petroleum-based plastics. Montinola picked mango peel and seaweed as feedstock because both are plentiful in Philippines and can be collected sustainably.<\/p>\n \u201cI learned this bioplastic concept when I was just scrolling on Facebook and saw a viral video in which a guy created a bioplastic out of seaweed. And I thought to myself what if I will use my scientific tools and knowledge in Biophysics to recreate his invention and take [it] up a notch higher,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n