Category: Chemicals & Materials

CJ Biomaterials taps Matmerize for biopolymer-optimizing AI

April 8, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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, […]

Potatoes: Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew… or use them to grow animal protein

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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. […]

Belgrade’s Bpack backs bark-based bioplastic

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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. […]

AQUA Cultured Foods taps Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate alternative tuna and scallops

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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, […]

Innocent Meat raises €3 million

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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 […]

Checkerspot and AAK partner on plant-based oils and fats

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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 […]

CJ Biomaterials enables completely biodegradable plastic bottle cap

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

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 […]

Oregon State awarded $10-million to develop hemp supply chains to benefit Tribal nations

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

In Oregon, the Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University has won a $10 million grant to develop hemp-based supply chains and equip students from 13 Native American tribes for bioeconomy jobs. The grant will be used to establish regional business networks, provide education opportunities for tribal communities, present hemp economic development opportunities to […]

Construction of Evonik’s biosurfactants plant is completed

April 1, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

In Slovakia, McDermott has completed construction of an industrial-scale biosurfactant plant it built for specialty chemicals producer Evonik. Construction was completed less than two years from contract award. Evonik had already begun initial production of rhamnolipids, a bacterial surfactant “with the potential to fundamentally transform cleaning products” and significantly reduce their environmental impact, earlier this […]

History Channel “Ax Man” Buckin’ Billy Ray Smith endorses soy-based chainsaw oil

March 25, 2024 | Rebecca Gendron

In Maryland, U.S. Soy and Stanley Black & Decker outdoor brand DEWALT have developed soy-based Bar & Chain Biodegradable Oil for chainsaws and other chain-driven equipment. According to Ag Daily, the environmentally friendly oil is available at Home Depot and online retailers like Bomgaars, Mac Tools, Grainger, and Amazon. The product was endorsed by Buckin’ […]

Category: Chemicals & Materials

CJ Biomaterials taps Matmerize for biopolymer-optimizing AI

Potatoes: Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew… or use them to grow animal protein

Belgrade’s Bpack backs bark-based bioplastic

AQUA Cultured Foods taps Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate alternative tuna and scallops

Innocent Meat raises €3 million

Checkerspot and AAK partner on plant-based oils and fats

CJ Biomaterials enables completely biodegradable plastic bottle cap

Oregon State awarded $10-million to develop hemp supply chains to benefit Tribal nations

Construction of Evonik’s biosurfactants plant is completed

History Channel “Ax Man” Buckin’ Billy Ray Smith endorses soy-based chainsaw oil

Free Subscription

The Biofuels Digest newsletter

The most widely-read biofuels daily — 20,000+ organizations subscribe — why not you too?