Latest news with #Heineken-owned
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Material World: Still Burning Bras? You Can Bury Balena's
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers. London-based Arda Biomaterials just closed an oversubscribed ($5.25 million) funding round led by Germany's Oyster Bay Venture Capital. More from Sourcing Journal Trompe l'œil Tailor Wins Challenge the Fabric 2025 Sci-Lume Labs Takes Home $30K for Crystal Clear Circularity Innovation Takes Center Stage at Fashion InStyle in Hong Kong Arda said the financing will allow the chemistry technology company to focus on material applications of plant-based proteins to further develop the startup's first fiber, New Grain. This leather-like material is made from brewers' spent grain, specifically the barley proteins, sourced from beer breweries—including the Heineken-owned Beavertown Brewery—and whiskey distilleries. 'We believe breweries and distilleries can do much more than just provide a feedstock,' said Brett Cotten, Arda's co-founder and CEO. 'Working with [them] is really a superpower to help us achieve the right pricing and tremendous scales necessary to make a significant impact across industries. Maybe someday we will even create global merchandise for brewers and distillers themselves.' More specifically, the Been London collaborator will begin commercializing New Grain within the fashion and automotive sectors, among others. 'The natural world has all the necessary building blocks to create incredible, environmentally friendly materials. Spent grain is a perfect case: the abundant feedstock is rich in protein that we are able to extract and manipulate to create New Grain, all without the need for plastics or petrochemicals,' said TJ Mitchell, Arda's co-founder and CTO. 'The material has come a long way since the first experiments in my kitchen, and it now looks and performs as a viable new material for those who want to see something different than animal-derived materials or plastic.' The financing round includes the lead investor from Arda's 2023 pre-seed round—Clean Growth Fund—alongside newcomers Kadmos Capital and Green Angel Ventures, also headquartered in London. It's official: in-vitro leather is in vogue. Paris-based lab-grown leather firm Faircraft has acquired VitroLabs, a Californian biotech firm backed by Kering and Leonardo DiCaprio. As a result, Faircraft's portfolio has gained some 30-plus internationally registered patents, considering that the Silicon Valley scientific pioneer spent the last decade demonstrating the feasibility of lab-grown leather. 'This acquisition represents a real strategic turning point for us: we are now the leader in the production of high-quality in-vitro leather and will now move into a new phase of industrialization,' said Haïkel Balti, co-founder and CEO of Faircraft. 'Our objective is clear: to make in-vitro leather a mark of prestige for the world's leading fashion houses.' As VitroLabs' research centered around tissue engineering, the Bay Area startup developed patented solutions in the cultivation of multilayered skin structures, the use of synthetic or natural biological supports for cell cultivation, and the development and use of cells suitable for in-vitro leather cultivation at scale, the collaborators said. At the same time, the French deep-tech developer was strategically solving for scaling in-vitro leather, primarily through proprietary 'technological building blocks.' German luxury startup Melina Bucher unveiled its latest design: a sculptural handbag made with Uncaged Innovation's inaugural and biobased next-gen material, Elevate. Dubbed the Nubian, the futuristic purse marks Elevate's worldwide debut. 'This collaboration unites two visions—ours in luxury design and Uncaged's in material science—to explore what the future of accessories can be,' said Melina Bucher, founder and creative director. 'Elevate allows us to push the boundaries of materiality without compromising our values.' The Nubian is available in two ultra-reflective holographic finishes (gray and black) developed exclusively for this collaboration. The limited-edition piece is inspired by space-age architecture and the 'contours of aerospace design,' per the partners. The 95 percent biobased bag launched on May 4—an intentional date, given the 'forward facing spirit' of both brands—on a pre-order basis for $1,472. Exploring dimensional movement, the pieces are made to order and handcrafted at Melina Bucher's atelier in Germany. Materials science company Balena and Colombian designer Neyla Coronel teamed on the first custom-fit and compostable bra. The multidisciplinary artist explored Balena's biobased, compostable 3D printing filament, co-developed with filament manufacturer Recreus, called 'Each new material brings a new learning curve, but showed me how material science can support designs that's truly human and sustainable,' said Coronel. 'It invites designers to rethink what's possible. It expands what 3D printing can do in fashion—especially in pieces that need to move and respond to the human body.' Coronel used parametric modeling, 3D scanning and computational geometry to develop a workflow where each bra could adapt to the wearer's dimensions and movement to change over time. At the structure's core is an auxetic pattern, 'designed to expand and contract in sync with the wearer,' per Balena, benefiting from Filaflex's soft elasticity. 'Working with was a breakthrough. Its flexibility is essential for something worn so close to the body,' said Coronel. 'But beyond that, it's biobased, compostable and recyclable. It made the piece not just wearable—but meaningful.' Regenerated cellulose fiber supplier Lenzing showcased the group's flagship nonwovens brand, Veocel, at two industry events this month: the China International Disposable Paper Expo (CIDPEX) in Wuhan and Idea 25 in Miami. At both shows, the 'purely for you' fiber was positioned as an environmentally-responsible solution to single-use, personal care and hygiene products. 'We believe true care begins within—from the ingredients we use to the impact we have on the planet,' said Rohit Aggarwal, CEO of Lenzing Group. 'By showcasing our Veocel lyocell fibers at CIDPEX and IDEA25, we demonstrate how sustainable innovation, ingredient transparency and strategic partnerships can drive a new era of responsible single-use products. Together with our partners, we're helping brands meet consumer demand for sustainable, high-performing solutions that align with their values.' Veocel's lyocell fibers are derived from renewable wood sources, Lenzing said, through a closed-loop pulping process before becoming fibers. Cellulose is an ideal option for personal care as it has natural absorbency properties and is biodegradable. 'At Veocel, we see this as an opportunity to lead with transparency and fiber innovation,' said Miray Acar, Lenzing Group's head of global marketing and branding. 'In hygiene and personal care, ingredients matter more than ever, and we're proud to offer a cellulosic solution that empowers brands to make responsible choices that resonate with their customers.'
Fashion United
06-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Arda Biomaterials secures 5.25 million US dollars to commercialise technology
Arda Biomaterials, which transforms brewery and whisky waste into novel materials, such as leather-like materials, for fashion and retail use, has raised 5.25 million US dollars to commercialise its technology leveraging plant proteins. The British-based chemistry technology company closed an oversubscribed 5.25 million US dollars (4.05 million pounds) round led by Germany's Oyster Bay Venture Capital alongside financing from Clean Growth Fund, the lead investor from Arda's 2023 pre-seed round. There was also financing from new investors, Kadmos Capital and Green Angel Ventures. In a statement, Arda said the funding would allow the company to continue making 'rapid advancements' in research and development on its first innovation, a leather-like material called New Grain, derived from the incredibly scalable waste barley proteins of beer breweries and whisky distilleries. Arda Biomaterials' first material innovation: a leather-like material called New Grain Credits: Arda New Grain is described as 'an extraordinary next-generation material' as it bypasses animal-derived materials and offers a leather-like appearance with the same luxurious feel and premium quality. In addition, the production process generates 97 percent fewer CO2 emissions compared to traditional leather and avoids the harmful tanning process, contributing to a cleaner environment and zero microplastics. It hopes that the fresh funds can help the company commercialise New Grain within the fashion and automotive sectors. To date, Arda has launched a snakeskin-style bag with British accessories brand Been London and converted Heineken-owned Beavertown Brewery spent grain into cardholders with the iconic Beavertown skull-and-bones branding. Arda showpiece cardholder for Beavertown Brewery, owned by Heineken, in North London Credits: Arda Arda raises more capital to drive the commercialisation of its leather-like material, New Grain In 2025 and 2026, Arda said it will focus on 'bigger launches' as its production capabilities grow, supported by a new 5,000 square foot facility on the 'Bermondsey Beer Mile' just south of London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The company is also planning to be available to consumers in a limited capacity as early as later this year. Brett Cotton, chief executive and co-founder of Arda, said: 'We believe breweries and distilleries can do much more than just provide a feedstock. We use the same equipment, they have internal science and engineering expertise, and they already have brand partnerships within fashion, automotive, and sports - meaning scale that is found around the world, operational support, and commercial connections that you simply won't find with other feedstock providers. 'Working with brewers and distillers is really a super power to help us achieve the right pricing and tremendous scales necessary to make a significant impact across industries. Maybe someday we will even create global merchandise for brewers and distillers themselves.' Arda Biomaterials' New Grain material is animal, plastic, and rubber-free. Credits: Arda Biomaterials Philip Stark, principal at Oyster Bay, added: 'We are pleased to back Arda on their mission to transform brewer's spent grain into next-generation materials. Brett and TJ bring a rare combination of technical excellence and mission-driven ambition, and we are confident they can build a category-defining champion. 'Starting with leather alternatives, Arda is more than a materials company - it's a reflection of Brett and TJ's commitment to building a circular, sustainable, and scalable future. At Oyster Bay, we are excited to support them on their journey.' The news of Arda's fundraising comes off the back of the company being accepted into the sixth cohort of the 100+ Accelerator, a corporate accelerator programme with AB InBev, Danone, Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Colgate-Palmolive, where Arda will be running a pilot with the world's largest brewer, AB InBev.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sandiacre pub closes for £317k revamp in Heineken multimillion pound investment
Sandiacre pub The Bridge Inn has closed for a £317,000 upgrade - reopening in time for its 90th anniversary celebrations in June. The investment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs aims to create a quality family and dog-friendly local with the largest beer garden in the area. Work will get underway on May 6 at the pub just over the Derbyshire border in Longmoor Lane. The interior will be redecorated from top-to-toe with new furniture, soft furnishings, feature wallpaper, carpets and lighting to make it brighter, welcoming and more comfortable. Seating is being increased to 106, with customers able to choose to sit at high tables and chairs or at lower booth-style seating. The games area will have a new pool table, halo darts board, Heineken neon signage, and two HDTVs showing live Sky and TNT sports, while a further two TVs will be located in the bar. READ MORE: City planners blocking construction of Nottingham's new tallest building, developer says READ MORE: Celebrity surprise for UK's oldest man at The One Show VE Day party Outside will also be getting a makeover, repainted in heritage colours with new signage and lighting and space for 140 people. The drinks selection will have something for every time of day, from coffee and soft drinks to craft beer, cask ale and cocktail. Publicans Leigh Brunson and Louise Mason, who have running the pub as temporary managers since December 2020, will be staying on. A landmark pub for both of them, the Bridge Inn was the family local of Sandiacre-born Leigh's family and the first pub he worked in. Louise, who has lived in Sandiacre for the last 25 years, started work at the pub in 2016, becoming an assistant manager in 2017. She said: "The Bridge Inn will offer the same elements as before such as pool, live sports, darts, a monthly quiz, and regular charity fundraisers, but in much nicer surroundings. There will also be an improved drinks range and a new menu. "Leigh and I are really excited by the refurbishment as it will boost the growing popularity of this lovely community pub. The investment will create a safe, fun, and good-looking pub for all customers to enjoy. "We can't wait to open the doors in June, welcome regulars back and new faces, and celebrate the pub's anniversary with a family fun day including gift and sweet stalls, a lucky dip and bouncy castle.' Adella Binney, Star Pubs' business development manager added: 'We're delighted to be investing in the Bridge Inn taking it to the next level. The new look and new offer are a great way to mark the pub's 90th anniversary and will I believe broaden the pub's appeal and delight regulars, some of whom have been coming to the pub for over 40 years." The refurbishment coincides with Heineken's announcement that it is investing £3.1m in East Midlands' pubs. Licensees are expected to invest £153,000 on top, resulting in an estimated 69 new jobs. Of that, £467,000 is earmarked for Nottinghamshire pubs and £1.38m in Derbyshire, plus an additional £61k from licensees. Although trading conditions have been tough over recent years, Heineken UK said it has invested consistently throughout, pumping £194m into improving its pubs between 2020 and 2024. The latest investment has been hailed a "resounding vote of confidence" in the future of the sector. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director said: 'Consistent investment – rather than a stop, start approach – and a strategy of creating great locals have been key to helping our pubs weather the storms of the last few years. Even with pressures on disposable income, people in the East Midlands are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community. "But they want to be guaranteed a quality experience: relaxing in an attractive setting is an important factor when pubgoers choose where to spend their money. Star Pubs' licensees employ some 25,000 people, support thousands of local suppliers and raise millions for charity. "Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy, however, they are being penalised by a disproportionate tax burden. We urge the Government to rectify this distortion when proposals to overhaul business rates are drawn up this year.'
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The Spain, Portugal and Iberian Peninsula Blackout Proves We Need Grid Storage – Not More Practice in Fragility
Spain and Portugal just learned a hard lesson about what happens when you rely on centralized power infrastructure in a world that demands energy democratization and resilience. On April 28, much of the Iberian Peninsula went dark. One moment, cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon were buzzing. The next, the lights were out, communications collapsed, public transit froze, and basic infrastructure ground to a halt. No attack, no cyber breach—just 'anomalous oscillations' in high-voltage transmission lines. That's how fragile the modern grid is. And yet, energy experts continue to argue about how to respond. Still holding panel discussions. Still publishing white papers. Enough. The solution already exists. Brenmiller Energy (NASDAQ: BNRG ) has developed thermal energy storage (TES) systems that could have halted this chain reaction. And the message we see sent along with its technology—stop the redundant rhetoric and start deploying. A Centralized Grid Creates Systemic Risk Here's the point: the blackout wasn't caused by a lack of power generation—it was grid fragility. Centralized electricity flowing through massive transmission lines creates a single point of failure. Energy experts have known this for years, and yet governments keep doubling down, pouring public funds into bigger, longer grids with zero contingency when they go down. Meanwhile, Brenmiller Energy has spent over a decade perfecting the answer: modular, crushed-rock thermal energy storage that doesn't just support the grid—it democratizes and fortifies it. Brenmiller's bGen system doesn't store electricity—it stores heat. Using crushed rocks, it stores industrial heat at extremely high temperatures that can be retained for days, weeks, or longer. When needed, that heat is released as steam or hot air to drive turbines or fuel industrial processes. No rare earths. No toxic materials. No tedious maintenance or degradation. This isn't a battery with a shelf life—it's a rock-solid system that lasts over 20 years. Clean, stable, and always ready when the grid isn't. What if bGen Had Already Been Deployed in Spain and Portugal? The story would've played out differently: Why the 180? Because Brenmiller's TES units can be installed right where energy is used—at cities, factories, warehouses, and transit hubs. Virtually anywhere. And they operate independently of the national grid. Consider bGen as immune cells. If the grid gets sick, they isolate and sustain the vital organs of society. Even better, they reduce the load on the grid by flattening demand spikes and soaking up excess renewables. That means fewer stresses to begin with. This is resilience—not redundancy. bGen Isn't Theoretical—It's Deployed The most important part of this equation is that bGen responds. It doesn't theorize. Brenmiller's technology is already in the ground. In Israel. In Germany. In Hungary. With Heineken-owned Tempo Beverages, Entelios, and Partner in Pet Food. These aren't test pilots—they're deployed systems that will dispatch energy when needed and, as importantly, manage supply when the grid can't. It works especially well in regions like Southern Europe, where solar power is plentiful but intermittent. Brenmiller's TES system enhances solar's contribution by storing energy during the day and releasing it on-demand 24/7/365—no voltage dropouts and no dependence on potentially combustible battery chemicals. Don't underappreciate the energy bird-in-the-hand that Brenmiller Energy provides. Public agencies and private sector companies can have, notjust hope for, a scalable, modular, and proven solution that could have softened—or outright prevented—the Spain and Portugal (Iberian Peninsula) grid collapse. In other words, policymakers who are still tangled in debates over hydrogen scale-out, lithium-ion limitations, and carbon market ideologies need to get with the program. The actual and deployable one. Let's call it what it is: delay by design. And the cost is paid in blackouts, lost productivity, and even potential loss of life. It's an avoidable risk. Stop Debating and Start Building. We don't need more think tank panels or white papers. We need shovels in the ground. We need thermal storage installed near urban centers. We need energy that doesn't disappear because a power line hiccups. Spain and Portugal will hold inquiries. Reports will be published. Experts will debate. But let's be blunt: none of that will stop the next blackout. Deployment will. If the EU, the U.S., or any country serious about grid resilience wants to future-proof its infrastructure, Brenmiller Energy belongs in every conversation. It has the solutions needed. There's no reason to wait for the next energy catastrophe to use them. Sources and references: Additional Disclaimers and Disclosures:Hawk Point Media Group, LLC. (HPM) has not been compensated to produce and distribute this content. It should be expressly understood that HPM is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. It should also be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. HPM reports/releases are commercial advertisements and are for general information purposes ONLY. The information made available by HPM is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The contributors do NOT buy and sell securities covered before or after any particular article, report and/or publication. HPM holds ZERO shares in Brenmiller Energy Ltd. Always do your own due diligence prior to investing in any publicly traded company. While HPM has not been compensated for creating and syndicating this content, HPM discloses having a prior services agreement with the company, and third parties, that expired in April 2025 and 2024, respectively. HPM is a digital marketing and consulting company. Therefore, it is possible that HPM will be retained in the future to create and syndicate digital content for Brenmiller Energy. Accordingly, while fact-based and sourced, our content may portray featured companies in only the most favorable way. A complete disclosure for all services provided and compensated for is linked Statements:This article contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this articcle are subject to other risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company featured or HPM. Hawk Point Media Group, Llc. undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by Hawk Point Media Group Llc's full disclaimer and disclosure statement,clickHERE. Media Contact Company Name: Hawk Point Media Contact Person: Editorial Dept. Email: [email protected] Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: The Spain, Portugal and Iberian Peninsula Blackout Proves We Need Grid Storage - Not More Practice in Fragility
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congo conflict shutters Heineken brewery, cripples economy
By Sonia Rolley BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - At his bar in Bukavu - a city in eastern Congo overrun by Rwandan-backed rebels last month - Adolphe Amani dipped into his dwindling stock of beer to serve a table of thirsty customers watching a recent Sunday football match on his television. But with his main supplier - the nearby Heineken-owned Bralima brewery - shuttered, he expects to close his doors within the week. "We can't hold out any longer," said Amani, as match commentary blared through the nearly empty bar. "We can't pay the rent, electricity, water or our taxes." Congo's Tutsi-led M23 rebels - supported by Rwandan soldiers and weapons, according to U.N. investigators - have carried out their most successful offensive in over a decade this year, seizing eastern Congo's largest city Goma in January before turning south and taking Bukavu. The push has triggered a flurry of condemnations and sanctions against Rwanda, which denies supporting the rebels, as well as efforts to broker an end to the fighting. But with peace elusive, businesses and residents in M23-held areas are digging in against the economic fallout. Prices for food and essential goods are sky-rocketing. Farmers displaced by fighting cannot harvest their crops. Banks are shut and supplies of cash are under strain. "We can no longer access our fields or our bank accounts. The economy is blocked and paralysed," said Bukavu resident Merci Kalimbiro. The economic impact has hit large and small business alike. Days of looting and a prison break preceded the rebels' arrival in the city of over a million people after the withdrawal of government troops and their Burundian allies left behind a security vacuum. Like many businesses, Heineken said its facilities were hit, with looters raiding beverage depots, entering the brewery and severely damaging its control room. Days later, soldiers and militia fighters looted a Bralima depot in the city of Uvira, around 100 kilometres (62 miles) further south. "It will take some time to assess the damage," a Heineken spokesperson told Reuters. "Businesses urgently need to see an end to the conflict and violence and a start to a meaningful peace process." TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMIC PAIN Bralima's woes illustrate the broader economic knock-on effects of the conflict. Nearly 14% of Heineken's total revenues come from its businesses in the Middle East and Africa, where Congo, with its population of over 100 million, is a large market. The Dutch beverages giant owns four breweries in Congo, producing Heineken beer as well as other popular brands like Primus and Amstel. The Bukavu facilities employ around 1,000 people both directly and indirectly, it said. Goma, Bukavu and Uvira had together previously accounted for roughly a third of Heineken's business in Congo. Heineken told Reuters that operations in the three cities would remain suspended until it was safe to reopen. In the meantime, Adolphe Amani said the Bralima shutdown and the broader consequences of the conflict have forced him to furlough more than 30 employees at his bar and hotel. Other trickle-down impacts are both surprising and, in at least one case, potentially deadly. Bralima's water consumption accounts for around 40% of state water utility REGIDESO's revenues in South Kivu province, where Bukavu is located, the utility said. "Bralima is not functioning. We are really struggling," said REGIDESO commercial service manager Jean de Dieu Kwibuka Babwine, adding that the revenue shortfall had caused a shortage of chemicals for water purification. When those chemicals run out, he said the utility would be forced to halt operations. "That would be a disaster," he said. For Amani and his bar business, there is a solution, one that some of his competitors have already opted for: bringing in beer from neighbouring Burundi or Rwanda. Heineken also operates a subsidiary in Rwanda, called Bralirwa, that produces its own versions of some of Bralima's most popular brands. For now at least, Amani's patriotism is winning out. "We need to wait for Bralima to re-open and deliver stock," he said. "I cannot consume products that come from Rwanda. They are our enemy."
