CO2 Generated Food and Clothes Made of Leaves at Innovation Zero

CO₂ Generated Food and Clothes Made of Leaves at Innovation Zero

 

At Innovation Zero 2026, IDTechEx spoke with multiple companies aiming to prove that an increasing demand for food, clothing, and plastics worldwide might not need to take such a heavy toll on the planet with the development of circular economies. The event showcased a number of new, sustainable technologies that could be setting up the future of more environmentally friendly products. IDTechEx's portfolio of Sustainability Research Reports and Subscriptions is home to some of the latest research within the sector.

 

 

Turning captured carbon dioxide into plant-based milk, smoothies, or gummies is the mission of Arborea, who target food ingredient companies as buyers of its products. The technology allows two tonnes of carbon dioxide to be turned into one tonne of ingredients, meaning the scope for quantities and scale is unlimited. Currently operating within an olive plantation, the company takes waste and burns it to produce CO₂, without the system needing for it to be pressurized. Arborea also states that its technology can be used to make intermediates for bioplastics and biofuels and other ingredients from collected carbon dioxide, highlighting the possibilities for more sustainable approaches to creating produce. IDTechEx's report, "Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Markets 2026-2036: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players", explores some of the main approaches to capturing CO₂, along with the most efficient uses and ways to store it.

 

 

 

 

Single cell food protein made from hydrogen and methane is one of the projects being researched and developed by HydITEx. The protein has 20 amino acids which humans require, with its gaseous origins making it more sustainable than the land and water usage associated with sourcing animal protein. With investment and recognition from larger companies and government organizations, the landscape of food production could be reshaped to suit a more sustainability-oriented future that makes use of gases that may otherwise be harmful to the environment. As awareness surrounding these food technologies grows and infrastructure is more widespread, a more circular food economy could be a real possibility.

 

 

Manufacturing t-shirts and plastics from renewable biomass like agricultural waste, peanut shell, and other raw materials is the focus of Leaf Biotech, a textiles and plastics company that exhibited at Innovation Zero 2026. The company's focus is creating PEF, a novel bio-based polyester with similar properties to the well-established textile fiber PET. It is created from cellulose from biomass, which is hydrolysed into glucose that can then converted into a bio-based monomer (FDCA)s. This is then polymerized into PEF and used by other companies as either a fiber or resin for use in commercial products. High performance packaging is another final product goal for Leaf Biotech alongside clothing, as the material produced by the company can act as a strong barrier to block carbon dioxide and oxygen, making it a great sustainable way to store carbonated drinks. IDTechEx's report, "Bioplastics 2025-2035: Technology, Market, Players, and Forecasts", covers plastics made from bio-sources derived from renewable biomass feedstocks and renewable feedstocks, which are also up-and-coming as a solution to replacing plastics made with petrochemicals that are known for producing emissions. An updated report with market forecasts for 2026-2036 and further information on the growth of PEF technology will be available soon.

 

 

 

 

Not only does Leaf Biotech's PEF material content have claims to sustainability in itself, but the corporation also states that its manufacturing produces lower carbon emissions, requiring less energy consumption as a result of the lower temperatures needed compared with regular PET processes. The recyclability of the company's material also will contribute to a circular economy and allow for the entire value chain to be sustainable from start to finish. Companies such as 2G Chemical Recycling, which also exhibited at Innovation Zero 2026, are a business aiming to chemically recycle as much plastic as possible. 2G Chemical Recycling then sell the oil from their recycling processes to plastic production companies, playing an important part in plastic circularity.

 

For more information on IDTechEx's research, visit the portfolio of Sustainability Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest sustainability trends and developments.