In the United Kingdom, Sparxell, a developer of plant-based pigments, has completed a $3.2-million funding round. The cash will be used to accelerate development and commercialization of its pigment sin cosmetics, fashion, paint, and packaging applications. Sparxell was founded in 2022 by Cambridge scientists, led by Dr. Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini, who discovered […]
In Minnesota, a two-year partnership between IMA Coffee and polylactic acid producer NatureWorks has resulted in the development of a compostable coffee pod. Unveiled at the recent AMI Single-Serve Capsules conference in Boston, the pod features a rigid capsule body, filter, and lidding made from Ingeo™️ PLA biopolymer. Every IMA Coffee pod filling and sealing […]
In Finland, Onego Bio has completed a $40-million Series A funding round to drive commercialization and manufacturing of egg protein via precision fermentation. Founded in 2022 as a spinoff from VTT, Onego Bio’s Bioalbumen® is bioidentical to ovalbumin, the major protein in chicken egg white, and contains all essential amino acids. Onego says Bioalbumen also […]
In Massachusetts, CJ Biomaterials has successfully used Matmerize’s artificial intelligence technology to optimize polyhydroxyalkanoates biopolymers. Spun out of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Matmerize’s PolymRize™ platform uses virtual screening and AI algorithms to identify the most optimal materials, accelerating the materials engineering process and saving valuable time and resources. In a recent collaboration with Matmerize, […]
In Israel, PoLoPo has unveiled SuperAA, a plant molecular farming platform to grow egg protein ovalbumin in potatoes, after raising $2.3 million in 2023. Vegconomist reports that PoLoPo looks to use potatoes as living factories for cruelty-free, lower cost, and more sustainable production of the proteins. Target markets include nutrition applications, such as protein powder. […]
In Belgrade, a packaging startup has developed a bioplastic using bark—an underutilized waste from timber processing—and used coffee grounds. According to AgFunderNews, Bpacks’ material can replace conventional plastics in packaging produce, meat, and other goods. While capacity remains small, cofounder Mikhail Skalkin believes Bpacks has an edge over other bioplastics when it comes to marketability. […]
In Chicago, AQUA Cultured Foods has partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks to optimize production of alternative seafood. Specifically, the two companies will jointly optimize AQUA Cultured Foods’ fermentation technology and advance the development and production of AQUA’s 100% fish-free products that emulate the look, feel, and taste of fresh-caught seafood. Leveraging Ginkgo’s microbial characterization and analytics, […]
In Germany, a company developing an automated, end-to-end cultivated meat production concept has raised €3 million despite what it characterizes as a “challenging market environment.” Founded in 2020, Innocent Meat said participants include anchor investor Venture Capital Fonds MV, which invested €500 thousand, and a new private investor, which invested €2.5 million. Together with the […]
In California, Checkerspot, a biotechnology company developing renewable oils through fermentation of microalgae, has signed a joint development agreement with AAK aimed at structuring fats and oils. AAK is a leader in plant-based oils and fats and its products are used in a wide variety of applications in the food, confectionery, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and […]
In Massachusetts, CJ Biomaterials, a leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates, said its bioplastic is being used by California’s Beyond Plastic to develop the world’s first completely biodegradable plastic bottle cap. Derived from nature and produced sustainably, PHAs work well as modifiers to other polymers or biopolymers and serve to increase biobased content, accelerate biodegradation, and improve […]
