From big companies like Mattel and their first building block sets made from bioplastics, to smaller innovators and entrepreneurs, the bioeconomy had a busy week with innovations. A new plant-based faux fur that incorporates SORONA, a corn-based fiber manufactured by DuPont and produce packaging made from potato starch offer new, better alternatives. Also fascinating are the scientists in Colorado who created a self-healing \u201cFrankenstein\u201d concrete \u2013 living concrete substitute using cyanobacteria, a type of algae, that absorbs carbon and can actually repair itself.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s Digest, get the details on the week\u2019s Top 10 Innovations like the living concrete, the world\u2019s 1st fuel-cell powered train, Mattel\u2019s biobased block sets, potato starch produce packaging, plant-based faux fur, and more \u2013 and it\u2019s ready for you now at The Digest online.<\/p>\n
#1 Sashay away, petroleum: Ecopel launches plant-based faux fur<\/p>\n
In Shanghai, Ecopel has launched a partially plant-based faux fur dubbed KOBA. The new material incorporates SORONA, a corn-based fiber manufactured by DuPont.<\/p>\n
While animal fur has come under pressure from animal rights activists and fallen out of fashion with major designers, to date most faux fur options have used petroleum-based materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaux fur, and other synthetics, have the potential to be part of a closed-loop system that isn\u2019t possible for animal-derived fabrics,\u201d says Ecopel Communications Manager Arnaud Brunois. \u201cMillions more animals will always have to be brought to life to keep the trade alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gucci, Michael Kors, Versace, Burberry, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Prada have all pledged to stop using fur in their collections, according to ecowarriorprincess.com.<\/p>\n
In addition to being plant-based, KOBA uses 30% less energy to produce and emits 63% less greenhouse gases than petroleum-based faux fur. Ecopel is also working on producing faux fur from waste plastic bottles.<\/p>\n
More on the story, here. #2 Mattel rolls out first bioplastic toy sets<\/p>\n In California, toy giant Mattel is set to begin selling building block sets made from bioplastics. The Mega Bloks line for pre-schoolers now includes Polar Friends, Safari Friends, and Woodland Friends block sets made from bioplastics.<\/p>\n \u201cEnvironmental sustainability is a corporate priority and we are proud to announce Mega\u2019s first product made from bio-based materials,\u201d says Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer.<\/p>\n In Europe, Argos and Sainsbury will be the first stores to offer the toys. Amazon Europe will also offer online sales in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know sustainability is an increasingly important consideration for our customers so being able to exclusively launch the new Mega range in the UK is a really exciting step as we continue to respond to consumer demand,\u201d says Andrew Hartley, buying manager for toys at Sainsbury\u2019s Argos.<\/p>\n Mattel has set a target to use 100% recycled, recyclable or biobased plastics for all its toys and packaging by 2030.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a> In Colorado, scientists have created a living concrete substitute using cyanobacteria that absorbs carbon and can actually repair itself.<\/p>\n University of Colorado Boulder professor Wil Srubar and his team blended cyanobacteria\u2014a type of algae\u2014with sand and nutrients to create calcium carbonate, but calcification was slow. Adding gelatin to the structure helped speed up the process.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really does look like a Frankenstein material,\u201d Srubar told the New York Times. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot like making rice crispy treats where you toughen the marshmallow by adding little bits of hard particles.\u201d<\/p>\n The living concrete has a much better environmental footprint than concrete production, a significant emitter of carbon. The work was funded by the defense departments research arm, DARPA, and published in a recent issue of Matter.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a material platform that sets the stage for brand new exciting materials that can be engineered to interact and respond to their environments,\u201d Srubar adds. \u201cWe\u2019re just scratching the surface and laying the foundation of a new discipline. The sky is the limit.\u201d<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #4 Spanish company launches potato-based plastic<\/p>\n In Spain, sustainable plastics company Kompuestos has unveiled packaging for fruits and vegetables made entirely of potato starch.<\/p>\n The bioplastic, which will be sold within the company\u2019s Biokomp range, biodegrades in approximately a month. The material has obtained an OK Compost label from T\u00dcV Austria<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a long way ahead, but this marks the beginning of offering sustainable solutions,\u201d says Ignacio Duch, president of Kompuestos. \u201cAt Kompuestos we believe in innovation which is beneficial for society and we will keep working towards that goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Other plastics in the Biokomp range are made from starches, including corn and cereals, and can be processed on existing equipment. They also result in 30\u201380% less greenhouse gases compared to the production of incumbent, petroleum-based alternatives.<\/p>\n More on the story, here. #5 Vegan sneaks get nod from A-listers<\/p>\n In Milan, entrepreneur Umberto de Marco has launched a vegan sneaker brand made from recycled materials and biobased plastics.<\/p>\n Dubbed Yatay\u2014the name of a palm species\u2014production of the sneakers is also designed to limit waste. \u201cThe mission was to make the first luxury sustainable sneaker brand,\u201d de Marco tells Barrons. \u201cWe are pioneering in this market.\u201d<\/p>\n The company currently offers two shoes: Neven High (\u00a3290) and Neven Low (\u00a3240). The lining is made from recycled polyester, while the soles use biobased polyurethane.<\/p>\n Celebrities, including David Beckham and Benedict Cumberbatch, have already been seen rocking the pricey kicks, and the company sold 4,000 pairs in 2019. \u201cBeing a new brand for a shoe that costs [\u00a3240], that\u2019s quite a good result,\u201d de Marco adds.<\/p>\n More on the story, here. #6 Zero-waste juice bar generates buzz<\/p>\n In Bengaluru, entrepreneur Anandraj BSN\u2019s otherwise unremarkable juice bar has become an Instagram darling thanks to his zero-waste policy of serving his wares in fruit shells.<\/p>\n The shop, named Eat Raja, is completely free of cups, straws and tissues.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a zero-waste juice bar and the only one in Bengaluru, Anandraj tells Times of India. The former radio host took over the shop after his father\u2019s death, and wanted to add a unique twist to ensure the business\u2019 survival.<\/p>\n Popular juices include musk melon, watermelon, and cucumber, but a trio of college students declared Eat Raja\u2019s Chilly Guava\u2014photogenically served in a guava\u2014\u201cthe best among the lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Prices range from Rs10\u00ad\u00ad\u201350 (US$0.14\u2013.70), with a discount for customers who bring their own container to help Anandraj with any shortfall in fruit cups.<\/p>\n More on the story, here. #7 Biobased products take centerstage at Davos<\/p>\n In Switzerland, sustainable innovations was a key focus of the recent World Economic Forum at Davos, where leaders gathered to discuss the world\u2019s most pressing challenges.<\/p>\n Algae bioplastics and corn-husk wallpaper were among the products highlighted in a sustainability exhibition.<\/p>\n The wallpaper was designed by Fernando Laposse and made from purple corn husks, cardboard, and cork. The husks were harvested from corn that can grow with very little water, improving the wallpaper\u2019s sustainability profile. \u201cThis initiative helps the local economy as it brings in jobs and a resurgence of crafts and food traditions while also ensuring sustainability,\u201d Laposse tells Arab News.<\/p>\n The meeting also included a display demonstrating the production of a bioplastic from algae. It included a machine that produces thread from an algae-starch mixture for use in a 3D printer.<\/p>\n Other key topics at the forum were climate, energy, and circularity.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #8 Vending machine coffee gets greener<\/p>\n In Italy, coffee products maker Lavazza has introduced biodegradable and recyclable paper cups for use in coffee vending machines.<\/p>\n Most paper cups for hot beverages are not recyclable because of a polyethylene lining. KLIX Eco Cup, however, uses a water-based dispersion barrier that allows the cups to be recycled along with other paper waste.<\/p>\n Developed in partnership with forest products company Kotkamills, KLIX Eco Cup material is sourced from sustainably managed forests. The cups will be available in February.<\/p>\n \u201cCalls for a reduction in single-use plastic for food and drink containers increased our commitment to offering our customers and consumers a revolutionary solution to meet their needs: KLIX Eco Cup marks another step forward in our mission to deliver the most sustainable drinks vending solutions in the world,\u201d says Ashley Weller, General Manager Lavazza Professional UK.<\/p>\n More on the story, here.<\/a><\/p>\n #9 AKASOL and Alstom to begin serial production of fuel-cell-powered trains<\/p>\n In Germany, AKASOL, a high-performance battery manufacturer, will provide technology to be used in the serial production of the world\u2019s first fuel-cell-powered train, manufactured by Alstom. The world\u2019s very first hydrogen train, powered by electric engines, has been making successful passenger trials in northern Germany since September 2018.<\/p>\n AKASOL\u2019s first round of battery systems are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2020, and all 40 systems are expected to be delivered by 2021. The CEO of AKASOL explained that \u201cThe combination of hydrogen fuel cells and our intelligent high-performance battery enables continuous storage of the electrical energy generated by the fuel cells as well as dynamic absorption of the high electrical power which is recuperated when braking. The systems not only provide the power needed for propulsion but also supply power for onboard systems like lighting and air conditioning.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n#3 Colorado researchers create self-healing \u201cFrankenstein\u201d concrete<\/p>\n
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