Alt Materials

The multinational Salina project has kicked off with €7M in funding from the EU to create scalable macroalgae cultivation systems and develop high-value products for the food, cosmetics, and biomaterial sectors. A new project aims to…
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The true climate impact of cow-derived leather is 70% higher than previously estimated, and more than 12 times that of vegan alternatives (including plastic-derived materials). Leather is notorious for its environmental impact,…
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Estonian state-owned national metrology institute Metrosert and its Applied Research Centre are constructing a €2M ($2.3M) pilot plant to help biotech companies validate alternative protein and material production. The Estonian…
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German biomaterials firm AMSilk has extended its collaboration with Ajinomoto Foods Europe to enable industrial-scale manufacturing of its bioengineered spider silk proteins. Three years after forming their strategic collaboration,…
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US startup Mushmycel has introduced a range of vegan leather accessories derived from waste materials like reclaimed mushrooms, coffee grounds and coconut fibres. As consumers look for sustainable alternatives to harmful fashion…
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Italian coffee giant Lavazza has brought Tablì, its 100% coffee tabs that ditch plastic, wrappings and coatings altogether, to the US market. One of the world's largest coffee companies has introduced the "most ambitious product…
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Dutch deep-tech startup New Dawn Bio has raised €2.1M ($2.4M) in pre-seed funding for its cell-culture technology to grow deforestation-free wood. Cultivated proteins and fats have entered mainstream conversations, but using cell…
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The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $34M in four grants to develop sustainable, plastic-free textile fibres, including cotton and silk, for the fashion industry. If it's up to Jeff Bezos, your future wardrobe could house fabrics made from…
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US synbio firm LanzaTech has partnered with the Technical University of Denmark’s Bright hub to set up a biofoundry that can recycle waste CO2 emissions into biofuels, sustainable materials, and more. LanzaTech, a US startup…
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UK startup Naturbeads has received a €4.1M ($4.8M) EU grant to support the construction of a new factory in Italy to produce cellulose-based alternatives to microplastics. Cellulose materials are attracting investor attention in Europe,…
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German specialty chemicals company Wacker has teamed up with US biotech firm Amyris to create bio-based, sustainable personal care ingredients using precision fermentation. Weeks after expanding production capacity at its Brazilian…
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Stephanie Downs, co-founder and CEO of eco leather startup Uncaged Innovations, reflects on how the plant-based milk labelling debate could be echoed in the materials industry. When Oatly lost a recent Supreme Court…
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A new bill in the US House of Representatives is aiming to provide tax cuts to incentivise the production of bio-based chemicals and materials through plant-based crops. In a bid to bolster demand for plant-based crops and strengthen…
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Finnish startup Elea & Lili has emerged from stealth with a €2.5M ($2.9M) funding round to launch its cellulose alternative to fossil-based polymers for the hygiene and agriculture industries. Eco materials firm Elea & Lili has…
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Californian biotech firm Amyris has completed construction of a new manufacturing line at its precision fermentation plant in Brazil, the latest move in its post-bankruptcy rebuild. US biomanufacturing company Amyris is expanding its…
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Swiss biomaterials firm Seprify has raised 12.25 million francs ($15.7M) to scale its cellulose-based alternatives to titanium dioxide for the food and cosmetics sectors. As the consumer goods industry reckons with the impact of…
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Footwear giant Allbirds has launched what it claims is an "industry-first" collection of shoes made from Modern Meadow's cow-free leather alternative. Allbirds may be closing all its US stores, but the global footwear company continues…
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US biomaterials startup MycoWorks has been acquired by DFX Corp and undergone a strategic restructuring to expand the reach of its Fine Mycelium technology. One of the pioneers of the sustainable leather space, Denver-based MycoWorks…
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Tokyo-based biotech startup IntegriCulture posted full-year profitability in 2025, driven by its cellular agriculture infrastructure and products. After a year of new collaborations, brand launches and product showcases, Japanese firm…
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This year has kicked off with a host of encouraging developments for the alternative materials category, from plant-based leather bags and animal-free fur jackets to the revival of an industry pioneer. The fashion industry's impact on…
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UK sustainable packaging firm Notpla and 14 supporting partners have received a €4M ($4.7M) grant from the Horizon Europe programme to create a plastic-free, home-compostable coffee cup. Can seaweed help the coffee industry win its…
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