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Plantd Transforms Construction Waste into Biochar for Agriculture

Plantd, an American startup specializing in bio-based construction materials made from grasses, is now valorizing a portion of its waste into biochar intended for soil amendment, following a closed-loop production model. Rich in silica, this biochar is presented as capable of improving certain soil properties and helping to reduce fertilization needs.

RevaTerra Raises $1.265 Million to Develop Advanced Bioenergy Materials

RevaTerra, an innovative startup specializing in converting natural residues into advanced bioenergy materials, has recently closed a funding round of $1.265 million. Led by BlueLake.vc, this funding will enable the company to advance its Arcana technology, which transforms agricultural and forestry residues into high-performance pellets, targeting coal power plants for a transition to more sustainable energy sources. The funds will also be used to strengthen the technical team and establish new manufacturing partnerships.

Photovoltaics: A World Record of Over 30% Energy Conversion Efficiency for a Perovskite-Silicon Triple Junction Solar Cell

Kerem Artuk, former member of PVLAB and now R&D engineer in sustainable energy at CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology), has been honored with the Claude Nicollier Award for his contribution to a perovskite-silicon triple junction solar cell, achieving an energy conversion efficiency exceeding 30%. This project, carried out in collaboration with EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) and other partners, marks a significant advancement towards next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

BASF Expands Its Range of Certified Bio-Based Additives to Reduce Carbon Footprint of Paints

The German company BASF has introduced three new certified biomass-based additives for architectural coatings, enabling manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal performance. These products, compliant with the REDcert2 standard, replace fossil raw materials with renewable resources, thus facilitating the adoption of low-emission formulations without the need for reformulation.

"We can provide industries with heat exceeding 900°C": Fenix Energy aims to replace fossil gas in boilers with iron powder

The French start-up Fenix Energy, founded in Lyon, offers an innovative industrial boiler powered by iron powder, capable of delivering heat above 900°C. This process, based on the oxidation of iron particles, generates energy without emitting carbon dioxide, thus providing a sustainable alternative to fossil gas boilers.

Sustainable Construction: French Company Spurgin Expands Prefabricated Wood-Straw Production Capacity

In the context of a transition to sustainable building materials, French company Spurgin announces a four million euro investment for the industrialization of prefabricated wood-straw walls. This project, which includes a new 2500 m² production facility in Reugny, aims to meet the growing demand for bio-based construction solutions and strengthen the company's market position following the acquisition of Activ’Home.

GranBio and Amazon: Towards Sustainable Fuels from Waste

Amazon invests in Brazilian cleantech GranBio to boost the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This pioneer in industrial biotechnology transforms forestry and agricultural residues into 'drop-in' synthetic fuels, identical to petroleum. The 10-year goal: to convert old American pulp mills into advanced biorefineries to scale up supply.

Bioplastics: Lactips Launches Enosis®, a New Generation of Biodegradable Polymers for Agricultural Applications

Brazilian Researchers Develop Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Medicinal Plant

A Brazilian research team has developed a green synthesis method to produce silver nanoparticles from extracts of Lychnophora ericoides, replacing toxic chemical reagents with plant-derived compounds while preserving the functional properties of the nanoparticles. This advancement in sustainable nanotechnology could transform practices in health, environmental sectors, and potentially agriculture.

Swiss Professor Awarded European Grant for Food Waste to High-Performance Packaging Project

Professor Francesco Stellacci from EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) has been awarded an ERC (European Research Council) grant for his innovative project on multilayer films made from natural proteins, aimed at replacing synthetic plastics. This project addresses sustainability challenges by focusing on developing high-performance materials from food waste, with potential applications in single-use food packaging.

ICAR-IIOR Develops Seed Coating Technology for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

The ICAR-IIOR has developed an innovative biopolymer-based seed coating technology aimed at enhancing seed quality and crop resilience against climate challenges. This multifunctional approach promotes seed germination and seedling growth while incorporating nutrients and crop protection agents. Field trial results indicate significant yield increases, highlighting the potential of this technology to boost agricultural productivity in India.

Innovative Nanotechnology-Based Bioherbicide for Sustainable Agriculture

Researchers from the University of Cádiz and CEBAL have developed a bioherbicide utilizing nanotechnology, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of natural compounds extracted from wild thistle. This innovation addresses the solubility challenges of plant-derived herbicides and could provide a sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides while being environmentally friendly. Promising results from laboratory tests pave the way for field evaluations for future commercial application.

PyroGenesis and Innofibre: Transforming Contaminated Biomass into Syngas

PyroGenesis Inc. partners with Innofibre on an innovative project aimed at converting contaminated biomass into syngas, thereby expanding the potential for syngas production from previously unusable raw materials. This project, backed by a $14 million investment in a new pilot site, marks a significant advancement in the field of bioeconomy and decarbonization, integrating high-temperature gasification technologies to effectively treat contaminants.

Nanoparticles to Deliver RNA into Plants: Researchers Explore New Pathways to Protect Crops from Viruses

Gene silencing through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) opens a new avenue for protecting crops against viruses. However, its field application is limited by a major challenge: effectively delivering these molecules to the cytoplasm of plant cells, where viruses replicate. Researchers are analyzing the potential of nanocarriers capable of stabilizing dsRNA and identifying key parameters to design more efficient delivery systems, a crucial condition for developing RNA-based antiviral solutions in agriculture.

Bio-based Materials: A Laboratory Develops Glue-free Wood Panels to Reduce Environmental Impact

From Mushrooms to Nanoparticles: A New Generation of Biological Fungicides for Potatoes

A recent study highlights the use of copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by fungi as a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides. By isolating fungi from soil in Egypt, researchers developed an innovative method that not only combats the Fusarium falciforme pathogen, reducing mycelial growth by 33.95%, but also enhances potato productivity by up to 40%.

Brazilian Researchers Develop 'Smart' Nitrogen Fertilizer with Controlled Release Using Nanomaterials

Materials That Can Memorize and React: A Step Towards Mechanical Intelligence

Researchers from EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), AMOLF (a Dutch research institute based in Amsterdam), and Leiden University have developed a rotating platform capable of programming mechanical materials using centrifugal forces. Named "dynamic driving," this approach allows elastic structures to switch between two stable states to store information in the form of "mechanical bits." This advancement opens new perspectives for soft robotics, biomedical devices, and intelligent systems without embedded electronics.

Next-Generation Seeds: Fraunhofer Develops Biodegradable Coating Combining Herbicide Protection and Water Management

As part of the SeedPlus project, researchers at Fraunhofer institutes have developed a biodegradable seed coating that integrates water storage capacity and herbicide protection. This innovation aims to improve germination rates and ensure stable yields, even under adverse climatic conditions. Greenhouse and outdoor tests show a 58% increase in germination rates compared to uncoated seeds.

From Wastewater to Bioadhesives: Innovation at UniLaSalle Rouen

A project from the Éclore research unit at UniLaSalle Rouen is conducting research aimed at producing bioadhesives from polymers derived from wastewater. Leveraging the Nereda® treatment technology, this approach aligns with a circular economy logic by transforming waste into bio-based materials, with potential applications in agricultural inputs and industry.