Checkerspot

Introducing WTHR™ Skincare, Elevated Skincare from Microalgae. This has been years in the making and we’re thrilled to unveil our latest venture into the world of personal care with the launch of WTHR. We’re not just about science; we’re about harnessing the incredible potential of a new renewable source of oil to transform industries. That’s why we’re proud to introduce this new consumer brand, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of microalgae for performance skincare built for the outdoor athlete. At Checkerspot, building consumer brands has played a key role in derisking adoption of biobased materials and ingredients. WNDR® Alpine has served as a major proof point of the performance properties of biomanufactured materials, enabled by microalgae oil. Now, we’re launching WTHR Skincare to show the same performance properties of biobased ingredients in skincare. All WTHR products feature our high oleic microalgae oil - helping to reduce skin’s moisture loss, assist in absorption of other active ingredients, and offer a silky skin feel. We built WTHR to meet the demands of outdoor athletes exposed to the elements, looking for products that both perform exceptionally well and feel good. And it’s LIVE! The WTHR System is launching with four core products focused on the face, our bodies most exposed and vulnerable skin. - SPF 50 Sun Stick - SPF 15 Lip Balm - Face Cleanser - Face Cream We’re algae’s biggest fans and are so proud to share this launch with you. The team behind this brand has worked endlessly to craft beautiful products with intention and care, so we hope you love it as much as we do. Let's WTHR Together: https://wthrskincare.com/

It's great to see Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU)'s program manager James Gardner and Jim Hawley, Berkeley Lab's Director, of State and External Relations present about "Powering the Future: Harnessing Life Sciences for Sustainable Innovation" to the California State Assembly Joint Hearing Select Committee On Biotechnology And Select Committee On Green Innovation And Entrepreneurship. Watch live now or the recorded session later. I'm bullish on California's #Bioeconomy

In the news 📰 We're thrilled to share that our recent collaboration with Cambium has been highlighted by UTECH Polyurethane / Urethanes Technology! This partnership is a significant step forward in creating biobased urethane foams that push the boundaries of performance, innovation and sustainability. A huge shout out to our incredible team and partners at Cambium for making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to transform the materials landscape! https://lnkd.in/gTyRMeaW

🚨 Partnership Announcement 🚨 We're thrilled to share a groundbreaking collaboration with Cambium to develop and commercialize PFAS-free, high-temperature, and fire-resistant foam products. This partnership is set to revolutionize industries such as aerospace, automotive, shipping, and construction by introducing new biobased materials systems, derived from a better source of oil. Why is this important? Sustainability: Beginning with our unique oils, this collaboration focuses on creating PFAS-free products, ensuring they are safer for people and the planet. Performance: The advanced biobased materials will be developed to withstand extreme temperatures and resist fire, providing safety and reliability. Dual-Use Applications: These cutting-edge foam products are suited for defense and commercial applications, showcasing the versatility and wide-reaching impact of these innovations. Supply Chains: These products will address supply chain gaps and support current and future high-performance hardware needs across land, air, sea and space applications. “We see advanced biomaterials offering a new palette of PFAS-free material solutions that deliver high performance, and are excited to be expanding our materials development and commercialization partnership with Cambium. Biotechnology is unlocking performance capabilities for materials at an increasing rate. As new biomolecules and materials are discovered, we believe that the combination of technologies and approaches will accelerate the creation and adoption of the solutions we will need as a planet. - Scott Franklin, Checkerspot's CSO and Co-founder. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey to push the boundaries of materials science and biotechnology. #biomanufacturing #partnership #biobasedmaterials #biomaterials #microalgaeoil

The next generation of innovators are using the Pollinator™ Kit to create with algae-based materials. The #DaytonMADE program has been an incredible partner on this journey to democratizing biobased materials and educating people on the power of microalgae 🦋 Get your hands on these materials with the Pollinator Kit: https://lnkd.in/edR7bke8 #biomanufacturing #algae #biobasedmaterials #biotechnology #innovation #design

"Salt Lake City-based WNDR Alpine has been an industry disrupter since 2019. Founded by Matt Sterbenz and championed by Pep Fujas, you might know WNDR Alpine for pioneering new methods of building skis. Specifically, they have become well known for using oils derived from microalgae grown in their labs instead of the traditional source: petroleum. Last year, WNDR turned their attention to clothing, to see how they could help replace petroleum-based finishes with algae. They call it biobased performance wear, and it has the potential to change the outdoor industry, and the world, for the better." -Jordan Grant-Krenz Read more from FREESKIER ⬇

Wicking is the unsung hero of the clothes you wear, designed to move moisture away from the skin to accelerate evaporation and regulate your body temperature. What most people don’t know is that these fabric coatings are often derived from petroleum, a finite resource and an unsustainable source of oil. In partnership with Beyond Surface Technologies AG, we developed miDori® bioWick, a 100% petroleum-free textile wicking, derived from microalgae oil. This 100% biobased alternative has up to 80% lower carbon footprint than similar performing, synthetic wicking finishes. The best part? It’s already out in the world. WNDR® Alpine's Phase Series features miDori® bioWick for optimal performance as you’re out exploring the world. Tag who you think should adopt this biobased alternative! We’ll start: Patagonia, lululemon, Vuori, Alo Yoga 📸 Mack Lambert

This Plastic Free July we're working towards a petroleum free future! The threat of climate change is worsened by our reliance on plastic. Did you know that 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels and that 3-4% of all greenhouse gases are caused by plastic? (Ocean Conservancy) Plastic Free July is a month dedicated to reducing our single-use plastic usage and raising awareness about plastic pollution. But the impact of the plastics industry reaches far beyond packaging or straws. Plastic is everywhere and by 2050 it's estimated that 20% of our total oil use will be for plastics. That's why it's crucial to address the root of the problem: most plastics are made from unsustainable sources of oil, like petroleum. But here's the exciting part — there are renewable oil alternatives. Biobased alternatives, like microalgae oil, can replace petrochemicals, creating high-performance materials for endless applications. The future is biobased! Join us this July to celebrate the opportunity for biobased plastics! #PlasticFreeJuly

Meet James Price, an Automation & Strain Improvement Scientist at Checkerspot! “I try to combine as many of my passions in one place as I can. The fact that Checkerspot has food program, I get to use science and contribute to a petroleum-free future, all those things come together in one place and that helps drive motivation for me.” #lab #molecularfoundry #biotechnology #microalgae #meettheteam

"The tech-driven bioeconomy is here, and it is poised to tackle not just one but many of humanity’s greatest challenges through the convergence of underpinning technologies that will realize increasingly impactful biosolutions." Accelerating the Tech-Driven Bioeconomy by The World Economic Forum. The Forum released a comprehensive report on advancing the transition to a commercial bioeconomy, addressing the opportunties and the challenges. We're thrilled to see groups like The World Economic Forum developing coalitions to advance the bioeconomy. Initiatives like this accelerate adoption of biosolutions in the mainstream - something that is proving to be more and more necessary to combatting issues like climate change. Together, we will drive the global transition to a more sustainable future. "The Bioeconomy Initiative of the World Economic Forum and Capgemini is pioneering a global coalition that unites the government, academia, industry leaders and civil society organizations towards a single aim: to advance a scaled bioeconomy that improves health, prosperity and ecological balance. The initiative is built around three core objectives: increased adoption through increasing demand, enhanced awareness to prompt change, and a responsible transition to bio-based solutions." Read it now ⬇