Treeless 3D printed wood, grape waste shoes, biobased acrylics, and more: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the week of November 11th

November 10, 2021 |

#2 Good chemis-tree: Dutch project pursues cultivated wood

In the Netherlands, startup Geneusbiotech has partnered with the University of Amsterdam to create 3D printable wood without cutting down any trees.

The Teredine Project involves growing plant cells in growing medium into a material with wood-like texture. The goal is to create cells that can then be suspended in hydrogel and 3D printed.

Geneusbiotech believes that cultivated wood is a sustainable alternative to forest-based industries. “Why grow the whole tree, chop it down, saw it into pieces, screw it, glue it, and hue it, if you can just custom print the end product you really want?” says Geneusbiotech. “The Teredine Project vision aligns with next-generation biomaterial production for a sustainable luxury wood product market that aims to recreate natural beauty without destroying the natural world in the process.”

The process could also provide designers with access to types of wood that are endangered or difficult to cultivate. Geneusbiotech is also developing lab-grown caviar, human hair, and fur.

More on the story.

More on the story, here.

3 of 9
Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse

Category: Top Stories

Thank you for visting the Digest.