Corbion’s lactic acid, BASF biosurfactants, seed PPE, Hermès mushroom-leather bag, sugarcane UGGs, and more: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the week of March 19th

As spring nears in some parts of the world and COVID vaccine availability improves, we think of hope, seeds and new growth. One designer took it literally and created biodegradable PPE face masks from rice paper filled with flower seeds to bring forth new growth when discarded. French luxury goods maker Hermès launched a mushroom-leather handbag. Popular fuzzy boot maker UGG launched shoes incorporating sugarcane and wood. BASF announced two biosurfactant deals. Corbion expands lactic acid capacity.

In today’s Digest, find out what these and other innovators are doing to bring a more biobased economy and hope to the world.