The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

Ginkgo Bioworks and Cronos Group Partner to Produce Cultured Cannabinoids

Ginkgo Bioworks and Cronos Group recently announced their partnership to produce cultured cannabinoids on a large scale in Canada.

Innovation, SustainabilityJames EdeSeptember 21, 2018Ginkgo Bioworks, Cronos Group, cultured cannabinoids, cannabis plant, synthetic biology platformComment

Banana Plant Fibrils could Slow Ice Cream Melting

Researchers from Colombia's Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana have found a way to slow the melting of ice cream using a part of the banana plant which is typically thrown away.

Innovation, Nanomaterials, SustainabilityJames EdeAugust 30, 2018Vireo Advisors, banana, banana plant fibrils, slow ice cream melting, rachis, Colombia's Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, cellulose nanofibrils, powdered, tasteless, odorless cellulose nanofibrilsComment

Synthetic Biology—the Future of Food?

In her interview with The Verge, Biologist and Creative Director Christina Agapakis of Ginkgo Bioworks discusses lab-grown meat, labeling, and how synthetic biology can help make products which are more sustainable and ethically sourced such as lab-grown meat.

Innovation, SustainabilityJames EdeAugust 7, 2018Ginkgo Bioworks, Christina Agapakis, lab-grown meat, synthetic biology', Vireo Advisors, GMOs, FDA, food labeling, sustainable and ethically sourcedComment

Vireo Advisors is a WBENC Certified Woman Owned Business

Vireo Advisors has again been certified as a woman owned business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Events, Leadership, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Risk Analysis, SustainabilityJames EdeJuly 16, 2018WBENC, Vireo AdvisorsComment

Natural Plant Fibers Used to Make Buildings, Cars and Planes

The Economist published an exciting article looking at the various ways material scientists are using natural plant fibers to enhance everyday materials.

Innovation, Environment, Nanomaterials, SustainabilityJames EdeJuly 3, 2018CelluComp, Vireo Advisors, Lancaster University, nanoplatelets made of carrots, Stora Enso, University of Maryland, lignin, super wood, natural plant fibers, Natural Plant Fibers Used to Make Buildings, Cars and PlanesComment

NIST Researchers Develop New Composite Material using Wood Pulp and an Invasive Exotic Pest

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new composite material using wood pulp and dried pieces of an invasive exotic pest called tunicates.

Innovation, Nanomaterials, Sustainability, EnvironmentJames EdeJune 18, 2018NIST, Vireo Advisors, tunicates, Johan Foster of Virginia Tech, Jeff Gilman, nanocellulose, wood pulpComment

Saltwater Brewery six-pack rings feed wildlife instead of hurting them

Saltwater Brewery (a Florida craft microbrewery) along with a startup called E6PR, has developed a biodegradable six-pack ring which can be used in the packaging of their beverages

Environment, Innovation, SustainabilityJames EdeJune 12, 2018Saltwater Brewert, Florida craft microbrewery, E6PR, biodegradable six-pack, wheat and barley, food for wildlifeComment

“Nanowood”: Better than Styrofoam?

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created an eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam using nano-size wood fibers.

Innovation, Nanomaterials, SustainabilityJames EdeApril 13, 2018nanowood, nanocellulose, University of Maryland, eco-friendly alternative to styrofoam, nano-size wood fibers, Vireo Advisors, Jeff Youngblood, Purdue University, insulation materials, non-toxic and sustainable, silica aerogel, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulphite and hydrogen peroxideComment

Sustainable Paper from Elephant and Cow Manure

Scientists from the University of Vienna have discovered a way of using the manure of cows and elephants in order to sustainably make paper.

Stora Enso Launches Bio-Based Lignin Product to Replace Oil-Based Phenolic Materials

Finnish Company Stora Enso launched their bio-based lignin product last month, LineoTM, which can be used to replace oil-based phenolic materials in resins for plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), paper lamination, insulation materials, and more.