Green Chemistry Initiatives

When fashion gets sharp - The rise of cactus leather 🌵 We’ve seen innovation sprout from the most unexpected places. But turning cactus into luxury wallets, bags, and sneakers? Now that’s bold. Forget animal leather. Forget fossil-based synthetics.We’re entering the era of plant-based performance. Here’s why cactus leather is making noise: - No animals. No plastics. Just a fast-growing desert plant. - Minimal water use. Grown without irrigation, in poor soil. - Low-impact elegance. Durable, biodegradable, and stunning. Why this matters: ✔️ Plastic-based “vegan” leathers are polluting oceans with microplastics. ✔️ Nature-based materials offer a regenerative, traceable path forward. ✔️ The leather industry emits more CO2 than all international flights combined. And behind every material breakthrough, there’s a bigger opportunity: To rethink how we measure value - not just in profit, but in planetary impact. Solutions are emerging that help companies certify their footprint, track real metrics, and scale innovation responsibly. The future won’t be just about the product - but about the proof. 💬 Would you carry cactus over cowhide? And more importantly - would your brand? Let’s talk.👇 Video credits to the respective owners. 🔁 Repost if you're ready for materials that don’t cost the Earth. #cactusleather #materialinnovation #biobasedsolutions #circulareconomy #futureoffashion

Mealworms + Styrofoam = Chitofoam! Ever heard of mealworms eating Styrofoam and transforming it into bioplastic? It may sound like a wacky science experiment, but design studio Doppelgänger has turned this idea into reality with their innovation: Chitofoam. This shock-absorbent, water-resistant bioplastic is made from the exoskeletons of Styrofoam-eating mealworms—and it breaks down in just weeks. It's a promising solution for Styrofoam waste, which clogs nearly 30% of landfill space due to the costly and complex recycling process. Traditional Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS), is petroleum-based and loaded with carcinogenic chemicals, making it a long-lasting environmental pollutant. Doppelgänger's designers, Charlotte Böhning and Mary Lempres, looked to nature for answers and found a surprising one. Mealworms, equipped with a unique enzyme in their gut, can actually digest Styrofoam, safely breaking it down. When mealworms complete their life cycle, their chitin-rich exoskeletons can be harvested to produce Chitofoam. This provides the strength and durability of Styrofoam without the toxic footprint. The science behind this process is fascinating. Mealworms naturally shed their exoskeletons in a cycle known as ecdysis, triggered by a hormone that allows them to grow a new protective layer while discarding the old one. Discarded exoskeletons, rich in chitin, become the raw material for Chitofoam, directly connecting to the natural cycles Doppelgänger aims to emulate. Though still in development, the potential applications are vast, from sustainable packaging to fully compostable cups. Böhning and Lempres are actively working on ways to scale production, hoping that Chitofoam could soon become part of daily life and reshape our approach to waste. What do you think, could Chitofoam potentially take down Styrofoam for good? Is this just the beginning of nature-powered design? 📷Doppelgänger

I look at the first transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a way similar to the US’s Moonshot project. My team was tasked with testing and evaluating the flight's non-CO2 emissions from the SAF – just one aspect of the project. But what we were all trying to do – the academics, OEMs, airlines and the government – was demonstrate that SAF is a feasible fuel that worked. Our ‘SAFshot’, as I call it, was a success. I was on Flight100 when it took off in November 2023. It used 100% SAF on both Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines (Boeing 787). The flight travelled safely from London to New York. We reduced the emissions for that journey by 95 tonnes CO2e (equivalent to 64% CO2 reduction) compared to traditional jet fuel. The technology works. So why are we not using SAF in all our flights? The resources aren’t there. Yes, there is a clear political will to decarbonise the aviation industry. The UK, EU, US and many other countries have set ambitious targets and SAF mandates. But for us to meet these, a significant amount of research and innovation will be needed – to produce the amount of SAF required and at an affordable cost. At an international level, the aviation industry may need 490 million tonnes of aviation fuel a year by 2030. To meet the current UK mandate targets, 10% of UK aviation fuel consumption – 12 million tonnes per year, which translates to 1.2 million tonnes of SAF – will need to be changed to SAF by 2030. At the moment, we are at approximately 0.11 million tonnes, so there's a substantial gap to bridge in the next five years. One major bottleneck is the high cost of SAF. We need a breakthrough technology to make SAF more affordable and improve feedstock availability and quality, ensuring its unlimited use as a future fuel. Currently, biomass and waste-based feedstocks are utilised for SAF production. We are now exploring next-generation technologies that leverage green hydrogen and CO2 capture from the air, powered by nuclear Small Modular Reactors or renewable energy sources. This approach promises an unlimited supply chain feedstock, marking a significant breakthrough. Consequently, major aviation stakeholders are concentrating on these advanced production pathways. In Sheffield, when we applied for funding for our Energy Innovation Centre in 2018, we took a risk. We looked to the future, saw the importance of decarbonisation and considered the impact on the aviation sector. Taking this risk means our capabilities and facilities are maybe five to 10 years ahead of our competitors, which is why so many companies have chosen us as their main partner to deliver. We are showing how we can provide the missing piece of the puzzle – cost reduction and availability. Our next ‘SAFshot’ should focus on exceeding the SAF mandate targets – ‘mandate plus’ – to decarbonise the sector quicker. We have taken our first, not-so-small step – it’s now time to take a giant leap forward for the future of our planet.

Your next outfit could be on your grocery list. Sounds unbelievable, right? But it’s already happening. The skins, seeds, and stems left behind in winemaking are being transformed into beautiful, durable textiles. Grapes that once went into glasses are now going into garments - turning“waste” into durable raw material. And it’s not just wine. Coffee grounds, olives, apple peels, pineapple skins - innovators like Planet of the Grapes, Arda Biomaterials Oleatex, PINATEX AIELO SL, MycoWorks Sway, Organoid are experimenting with everything we throw away, turning it into shoes, jackets, handbags, and everyday essentials. Why does this matter? Because fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Leather and polyester carry enormous environmental costs, animal cruelty, and fossil fuel dependence. But when fashion starts to look at food waste as fabric, we unlock circular systems where nothing is discarded and everything has worth. It’s culture, climate, and creativity stitched into one. So the next time you raise a glass or at the grocery store, imagine nature’s produce as a design breakthrough, and the future of fashion. What material are you most excited about? #biomaterials #innovation #plantbased #veganleather #fashion #sustainability

Most biochar producers think their biggest decision is choosing a reactor. In practice, it isn’t. The real determinant of carbon yield, stability, and project viability is the feedstock. Here are 4 common categories of residual biomass and what they usually imply. 🔵 Agricultural residues Corn stover, rice husks, straw, bagasse, manure ➡️ Variable quality and moisture ➡️ Higher tar risk if not well designed ➡️ Abundant but seasonal and dispersed 🔵 Forestry residues Sawdust, bark, thinning wood ➡️ More consistent feedstock ➡️ Drying and logistics dominate costs ➡️ Availability depends strongly on region 🔵 Food processing residues Fruit, vegetable, cereal by-products ➡️ Heterogeneous and often mineral-rich ➡️ Preprocessing is critical ➡️ Volumes are contract-driven 🔵 Municipal residues Paper rejects, green waste, sludge ➡️ Quality depends on sorting and contamination ➡️ Emissions control is central ➡️ Regulatory complexity is part of the project In practice, feedstock choice is not about what you can pyrolyse. It’s about what you can secure long-term, certify, trace, and audit. Which feedstock is the hardest to make credit-grade in your region? #Biochar #Feedstock #CDR #MRV #Traceability

Turning apple waste into furniture? Material innovation is being redefined with a groundbreaking vegan-certified leather alternative crafted from upcycled agricultural waste. This innovative material offers a premium, bio-based option that seamlessly blends environmental responsibility with practical versatility. Manufactured on wide rolls, it provides a luxurious, durable alternative to traditional leather while addressing the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions. By utilising by-products of agricultural processes, this innovation exemplifies how waste can become a cornerstone for transformative design, challenging industry norms and fostering a more circular economy. Recently, this material has been introduced in the furniture sector, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in reducing carbon footprints. For example, when used in furniture, it achieves significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to traditional materials. This measurable impact highlights the potential of sustainable materials to advance both environmental and business objectives. Key Features of Bio-Based Materials →Transformative Origins: Converts agricultural by-products into high-quality materials. →Cross-Industry Applications: Ideal for furniture, fashion, and automotive sectors. →Design Customisation: Supports diverse finishes and textures, meeting unique design needs. →Supply Chain Transparency: Offers full traceability, ensuring ethical production and enhancing storytelling. Business Impact and ROI →Sustainability Leadership: Collaborating with material innovators demonstrates a commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. →Cost Optimisation: By utilising waste-based inputs, businesses can reduce dependence on costly, resource-intensive materials. →Market Differentiation: Offering products made with innovative materials positions companies as leaders in sustainability, appealing to a conscientious consumer base. →Carbon Reduction: Bio-based materials deliver tangible emissions savings, supporting corporate decarbonisation objectives. This innovation exemplifies how rethinking waste can drive sustainability and profitability, empowering businesses to lead in the era of bio-based innovation. Link for more info: https://lnkd.in/dmtMrnP3 #sustainability #esg #biomaterials #decarbonisation #wasteupcycling #innovation #bioeconomy #climateaction #circularity #greendesign

REWRITING THE RFS PLAYBOOK: REVISED RVOS BACKLOAD PROJECTED BIOMASS-BASED DIESEL PRODUCTION AND FEEDSTOCK USE INTO 2027 by Todd Hubbs and Scott Irwin DATE: November 24, 2025 SUMMARY: The EPA’s recent RFS decisions will drive substantial increases in biomass-based diesel production and feedstock demand over 2026-2027, but the full impact is heavily backloaded to 2027. The massive D4 RIN bank—peaking at 3.0 billion gallons in 2024—provides a critical buffer moderating the immediate impact in 2026. However, as this bank is drawn down, the full force of higher RVOs and the half RIN policy will hit the markets in 2027. Total feedstock demand will increase 19 percent in 2026 and 48 percent in 2027 relative to 2023-2025. For domestic feedstock, the increases are even more dramatic: 63 percent in 2026 and 113 percent in 2027. This backloading means 2027 is the critical year when production approaches full capacity utilization and domestic feedstock demand reaches 48.8 billion pounds—61 percent of total estimated U.S. feedstock availability. Market participants should anticipate a two-stage adjustment. In 2026, obligated parties will draw down the RIN bank while ramping up production, leading to moderately higher feedstock prices. In 2027, with the RIN bank at minimum levels, markets face the full policy impact. This suggests feedstock price pressures, production bottlenecks, and RIN price volatility will be more severe in 2027 than 2026. Important uncertainties remain. The EPA has not finalized the half RIN proposal, and a recent media report (Renshaw, 2025) suggests the Trump Administration is considering delaying the implementation by one or two years. In addition, feedstock supplies may respond more robustly to higher prices than anticipated. Nevertheless, the backloaded nature of the feedstock impact to 2027 appears robust across scenarios, making this a key consideration for strategic planning by market participants. LINK: https://lnkd.in/gtjCMDUq #RFS #biomassbaseddiesel #BBD #biodiesel #renewablediesel #feedstock #soybeanoil #vegetableoil #fatsandoils #usedcookingoil #UCO #tallow #renewables #RIN #biofuel

Fueling the future - tackling New Zealand’s bioenergy feedstock challenge What if the key to decarbonising aviation and shipping in New Zealand isn’t in the skies or seas - but in the soil beneath our feet? New Zealand’s journey to decarbonise transport - especially aviation and maritime sectors - depends on one critical factor: feedstock availability. Advanced bioenergy solutions like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Marine Biofuels can only scale if we secure a reliable, sustainable biomass supply. Short-Rotation Forestry (SRF) is emerging as a promising option. High-density plantations of fast-growing species on marginal lands could deliver rapid biomass production within 12–18 years. Yet, recent research highlights a major hurdle: landowner adoption. Awareness is low, profitability concerns are high, and perceived risks outweigh benefits. International experience tells us the answer lies in early de-risking, financial incentives, and clear policy signals. For New Zealand, this means pilot programs, outreach, and regulatory clarity - all essential to accelerate SRF integration into farming systems. At the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited, we see this as a cornerstone of our bioenergy work. Without solving the feedstock challenge, SAF and marine biofuels remain aspirations. With it, we unlock a future of energy security, rural development, and climate resilience. Grace Villamor I Xiwen (Thea) Wang, PhD I Muthasim Fahmy I Alan Jones I Paul Bennett #Bioenergy #Forestry #Innovation #SustainableAviationFuel #MarineBiofuel #ShortRotationForestry #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition #Bioeconomy #Decarbonisation #FutureFuels https://lnkd.in/gW7TVJ5y

Polyamide Recycling and Upcycling: Turning Waste into Value with Engineered Bacteria. Nylons, or aliphatic polyamides, are workhorses in industries like textiles and automotive, praised for their strength and durability. Yet, less than 5% are recycled, and traditional chemical recycling often produces complex mixtures that are difficult to purify. Ina recent Nature Microbiology paper the researchers demonstrates the power of synthetic biology to transform nylon waste into valuable products. They have engineered Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to: Metabolize C6-polyamide monomers: including 6-aminohexanoic acid, ε-caprolactam, and 1,6-hexamethylenediamine, through adaptive laboratory evolution. Break down nylon oligomers: both linear and cyclic, derived from chemical hydrolysis, by expressing nylonase enzymes. Unlock the metabolic pathways: for these non-natural substrates, revealed through RNA sequencing and reverse engineering. But that's not all! They have taken it a step further by expressing the phaCAB operon from Cupriavidus necator, enabling P. putida to produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from PA6 hydrolysates – a sustainable bioplastic. This study showcases a powerful microbial host for the biological conversion of polyamide monomers and mixed hydrolysates, in tandem with chemical hydrolysis, into a value-added product. This is a significant step towards a circular economy for plastics. #sustainability #biotechnology #syntheticbiology #circulareconomy

Not all airside vehicles can be electrified yet, so renewable diesel is used as a drop-in replacement fuel. The renewable diesel is produced from UCO at Neste Singapore’s Tuas biorefinery. "The renewable diesel is being used to fuel heavy vehicles and specialised equipment that do not yet have viable electric variants. CAG said electric variants are more readily available for light vehicles, such as forklifts and tractors. But most heavy vehicles used in the aviation industry are still diesel-powered, such as airport runway sweepers. These specialised vehicles are used to remove debris, including foreign objects, from runways and taxiways, and are crucial for maintaining runway safety. Another example is runway rubber removal vehicles, which remove rubber deposits left by aircraft tyres on runways, which can affect braking and safety. The used cooking oil collected from Changi Airport eateries contributes to the feedstock – or raw material – to produce the renewable diesel used in the trial, CAG said. The feedstock is converted into high-quality renewable diesel fuel that has a similar chemical composition to fossil diesel, it said. This is done at a refinery in Tuas run by Neste Singapore, a renewable energy company. Renewable diesel can be adopted as an easy replacement for fossil diesel as it can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. Minimal adjustments are required for renewable diesel to use existing transportation, storage and distribution infrastructure. The six-month trial will use approximately 14,000 litres of renewable diesel, said Mr Steven Bartholomeusz, Neste’s Asia-Pacific head of public and regulatory affairs. CAG began its trial in May with a 50 per cent renewable diesel blend. This was upped to 100 per cent in August. At 100 per cent renewable diesel, up to 90 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions will be produced over the fuel’s life cycle, when compared with fossil diesel, CAG said. Renewable diesel can also be blended with fossil diesel in any proportion, helping companies to match the use of clean energy to their decarbonisation goals. Mr Gerald Ng, CAG’s vice-president for regulatory affairs and sustainability, said the vehicles in the trial have performed well on the 50 per cent renewable diesel blend, and “without any impact to vehicle operations and efficiency”. Used cooking oil collected from Changi Airport is transported to this refinery in Tuas, run by renewable energy company Neste Singapore. PHOTO: NESTE Renewable diesel trials have taken place at Changi Airport since 2024, when the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced a year-long trial of the fuel, also for heavy and specialised airside vehicles." https://lnkd.in/gY7B76rf