Materials & Packaging
The latest developments in materials, feedstocks and processes that are transforming the way many conventional products are made and packaged — and eliminating their negative impacts
Sustainable Sailing Puts Its Sail-Recycling Process to Sweet, New Use
The UK startup is partnering with the University of Edinburgh to use waste sails in the creation of high-value chemicals used in everyday products — even, potentially, food ingredients. ... View More
First, Food – Now, Fashion and Furniture: More Innovations in Circular Materials
These two women-owned startups are repurposing waste streams from food manufacturing into striking interior finishes and “leather” handbags and accessories. ... View More
Engineering the Future of Circular Packaging in the US Heartland
A collaboration between Dow and New Energy Blue aims to make a new biomass refinery in Mason City, Iowa a linchpin in a massive, circular shift for the plastics industry. ... View More
Olive Oil’s Packaging Puzzle: Glass or Plastic?
Long shipping routes, rising fuel and transportation costs, and concerns about the carbon footprint of food supply chains have driven many companies to reconsider their packaging options for greater efficiency. ... View More
How Innovations in Materials Science Are Improving Office Spaces
Although some return-to-office policies might still be met with resistance, employees and employers can feel better about returning when buildings are safer and more sustainable — thanks to advancements in materials science. ... View More
US Plastics Pact Unveils Bold New Roadmap to Transform the Use of Plastics
Update to 2025 Roadmap carries forward unfinished targets from the original plan and outlines new steps toward circular design, based on insights from 130+ US Plastic Pact Activators. ... View More
Pernod Ricard Partnership Expands Circular Spirits Distribution
The spirits giant has expanded its partnership with ecoSPIRITS, whose closed-loop packaging system reduces waste and emissions from the production and transportation of bottled beverages. ... View More
Will a Global Plastics Treaty Effectively Curb Plastic Pollution?
Not at this rate: In one corner, industry bodies and petrochemical companies call for enhanced recycling and the increased use of materials with recycled content. In the other, climate campaigners continue to push for cuts in production — an argume... View More
Alternative Packaging Alliance Out to Reshape the Conversation Around Boxed Wine
The group — comprised of seven higher-end wine producers — is bringing a decidedly hip, modern update to a segment with a big perception issue. ... View More
Researchers Tweak Bacteria to Create Strong, Flexible, Sustainable Plastic
Researchers at Kobe University have engineered bacteria to produce a plastic modifier that makes bioplastic more processable, more fracture resistant and highly biodegradable —which holds great potential for enabling sustainable plastic production.... View More
More Beauty Retailers Embracing a Circular Economy for Packaging
New initiatives from Kiehl’s, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Ulta lay further groundwork for reducing the beauty industry’s massive plastic footprint. ... View More
Major Snack Brands Continue to Cut Plastic in Packaging
While Walkers and the British Crisp Co shift to paper, Mars embraces digital simulation software to slash its amount of plastic needed. ... View More
‘Keggers,’ Elevated: Winemakers Tapping Into More Sustainable Vessels
Wine packers such as Sonoma-based Free Flow Wines are taking advantage of the reduced stigma of stainless steel-bound wine, along with increased ambitions from winemakers to reduce their packaging footprint. ... View More
Startup Using Biomimicry to Break Textile Dyeing Down to Its DNA
Colorifix's technology uses DNA sequencing to replicate nature's hues into sustainable pigments, curbing the industry's overreliance on water- and chemical-intensive dyeing processes. ... View More
3 Takeaways from Our Ongoing Journey to ‘Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably.’
We’re constantly exploring ways to achieve the functional benefits of plastic with fiber-based packaging alternatives, so that no one walking down a grocery store aisle must choose between function and sustainability. ... View More
The Forever Cost of Materials: Considerations for Conscious Designers
By designing with the end in mind and considering durability, construction, recyclability and production, designers who create products with ‘lower-cost’ ingredients bring us one step closer to a circular economy. ... View More
Awards Recognize Green Chemistry Innovators Solving Critical Industry Challenges
Winners of this year’s Green Chemistry Challenge Awards include Modern Meadow’s Bio-FREED technology — which uses bio-based proteins to create a sustainable dyeing process that can be applied to any type of fiber and uses 95% less water, 75% le... View More
Lululemon’s Enzymatically Recycled Nylon 6,6 Advancing Circular Fashion
The brand has partnered with Samsara Eco to extract nylon 6,6 from end-of-life textiles, demonstrating the potential to create a fully circular ecosystem for apparel. ... View More
California Wineries Finding Significant Cost, Emission Savings with rPET Wine Bottles
Amcor is ramping up usage of an industry-standard, 750-ml version of a recycled PET bottle with technology that’s long been in use in smaller formats. ... View More
Coca-Cola Removes Labels from Sprite Bottles to Simplify Recycling
Labels will be replaced with an embossed logo on Sprite and Sprite Zero 500ml rPET bottles as part of a UK trial designed to reduce use of packaging materials. ... View More
