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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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‘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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Parts of Future Fords Could Be Made from Olive Waste

Ford engineers are conducting trials on parts made from 40% olive tree fibers and 60% recycled plastic — which is heated and injection-molded into the shape of the selected part. ... View More

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