How to cover future protein demand?
Many universities and innovative companies are looking for new ways to close the future protein gap for food and feed, and cover future protein demand on a sustainable basis. German nova-Institute compiled an overview of the latest developments. Nova-Institute organizes a conference ‘Revolution in Food and Biomass Production (REFAB)’ October 1 and 2, 2018 in
Strongest biomaterial ever
The strongest biomaterial ever has been assembled recently by Swedish, American and German researchers; it consists of cellulose, properly speaking of carefully parallel oriented cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The material is stronger than steel, even stronger than spider silk, regarded as the strongest biomaterial until recently. Vanderwaals forces The team, headed by Nitesh Mittal, recently published
Bio homes to tackle housing emergency
A new sustainable initiative in Bristol, in the UK, uses bio-based materials to face the need for additional and affordable housing supply: bio homes. Bristol is at the forefront of high-tech innovation in the UK, and was the European green capital in 2015. But it is also the second least affordable major British city housing-wise
World Bio Markets: make it real, give it life
At first glance, World Bio Markets in Amsterdam appeared to be another one of those biobased conferences with little news. There were speeches that told us how well companies were doing, whilst only few breakthroughs or research developments were presented. However, when looking back, the conference had important takeaways for us. Firstly, the increasing importance
Simplifying hospital waste with biodegradable disposables
Dealing with hospital waste can be a logistical nightmare. But some believe that if medical centres switched to bio-based and biodegradable disposable products, they could simplify their waste management and see other benefits, such as a lower carbon footprint and a reduction in hospital acquired infections. The problem of hospital waste Hospitals generate huge amounts
Omega-3 fatty acids produced from corn by marine algae
Omega-3 fatty acids have attracted a lot of attention from protagonists of healthy diets, and from the food industry as well – view their ads. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are important natural suppliers of these substances to the human diet. But an increasing share of fish comes from fish farms; and much of
Much choice in biobased materials at Material Xperience
The 13th Material Xperience, ‘the world’s largest multisectoral materials exhibition’, will take place 13-15 March in Ahoy, Rotterdam. Tuned towards materials innovation, it will show materials in six categories: architecture, interior, fashion & workwear, product, mobility and graphic & packaging. In each category, there are many biobased materials. New biobased materials ‘Materials innovation is essential
The many faces of hemp
The ecological properties of hemp makes it one of the types of insulation used in construction with the lowest carbon emissions footprint. A relatively recent interest in hemp as a building material responds to a global trend that encourages the development of bio-based products and the reduction of carbon emissions. But its use dates back
