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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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Chemists Find New Way to Turn Most Common Plastic Waste into Fuel
Chemists Find New Way to Turn Most Common Plastic Waste into Fuel
Published on July 13, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC) have found a new way to break down the strong bonds of polyethylene, the most commonly used synthetic plastic, and convert it into usef... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Portfolio of Cradle to Cradle Certified Materials Launched for the Fashion Industry
Portfolio of Cradle to Cradle Certified Materials Launched for the Fashion Industry
Published on July 8, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Fashion designers have long asked for a place to find materials they know are healthier for people and the planet — and now they have one. The new Fashion Positive Materials Collection, which debuted this week, includes 39 materials for fashion app... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
BillerudKorsnäs Finds Business Opportunity in the SDGs
BillerudKorsnäs Finds Business Opportunity in the SDGs
Published on July 8, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Increased environmental awareness will lead to completely new demands being placed on the packaging industry. BillerudKorsnäs, a Swedish provider of sustainable paper packaging materials and solutions, sees this challenge as a business opportunity. ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Trending: Enter Plastic Waste; Exit Stronger, Safer Materials
Trending: Enter Plastic Waste; Exit Stronger, Safer Materials
Published on July 6, 2016
About a 5 minute read

This week, we examine two innovations that not only divert plastic waste but turn it into stronger, more beneficial materials: IBM has discovered a way to convert polycarbonates into plastics safe for water purification, fiber optics and medical equi... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Mars Reveals Hits, Misses on 2015 Health, Energy, Packaging Targets
Mars Reveals Hits, Misses on 2015 Health, Energy, Packaging Targets
Published on July 5, 2016
About a 5 minute read

Mars, Incorporated’s latest Principles in Action report captures the company’s performance on its targets for 2015, 2020, and those which are ongoing. Guided by its Five Principles of Quality, Responsibility, Efficiency, Mutuality and Freedom, th... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Could Hemp Disrupt the Energy Industry?
Could Hemp Disrupt the Energy Industry?
Published on July 5, 2016
About a 4 minute read

In West Virginia, residents will soon be seeing a lot more green than they’re used to. And it may come in the form of dollar bills, too. Researchers from West Virginia University are teaming up with a new startup called Agri Carb Electric Corporati... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
HP Commits to Zero Deforestation by 2020, Other New Goals After Achieving Targets Early
HP Commits to Zero Deforestation by 2020, Other New Goals After Achieving Targets Early
Published on June 29, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Today, HP Inc. announced several new commitments with the release of its latest Sustainability Report. The company met the 20 percent emissions reduction targets it set for its operations and supply chain five years early, and set three new goals for... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Dow Celebrates Achieving 2015 Goals, Looks Ahead to 2025 in New Sustainability Report
Dow Celebrates Achieving 2015 Goals, Looks Ahead to 2025 in New Sustainability Report
Published on June 27, 2016
About a 3 minute read

On Monday, The Dow Chemical Company released its 2015 Sustainability Report, culminating Dow’s decade-long 2015 Sustainability Goals, which centered on producing solutions to global challenges including the areas of food, water and energy and conti... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
New Guide Aims to Help Designers Increase Plastic Packaging Recycling
New Guide Aims to Help Designers Increase Plastic Packaging Recycling
Published on June 17, 2016
About a 3 minute read

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) claims it has created the plastics recycling industry’s most comprehensive plastic packaging design resource. The latest iteration of its APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability outlines detailed ste... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Trending: Flexible Plastic Pouches, Coffee Cups (Finally) Ready for Recycling
Trending: Flexible Plastic Pouches, Coffee Cups (Finally) Ready for Recycling
Published on June 16, 2016
About a 5 minute read

Earlier this year, Chef-turned-waste-activist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall drew attention to the huge problem of coffee cup waste. He claimed that in the U.K., less than 6 million takeaway hot beverage cups are recycled each year, while 7 million are ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
How Microbes, Bio-Based Materials Can Help Industry Embrace Sustainability
How Microbes, Bio-Based Materials Can Help Industry Embrace Sustainability
Published on June 9, 2016
About a 2 minute read

“We’re an emerging sector. We’re the cool kids. And that takes time,” said Kathryn Sheridan, CEO and founder of Sustainability Consult, during a Wednesday morning breakout session on the rise of bio-materials and bio-based products at Sustain... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
How the Chemical Footprint Project Is Helping Business Build Health Into Products, Brands
How the Chemical Footprint Project Is Helping Business Build Health Into Products, Brands
Published on June 8, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Chemicals have a huge impact on our health and environment. Over 3,000 chemicals come onto commerce each year and only a small percentage of those chemicals are ever tested for health impacts. Fortunately, some organizations are undertaking the big, ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Changing the Culture of Excess [Packaging]
Changing the Culture of Excess [Packaging]
Published on June 6, 2016
About a 4 minute read

Some time ago I was on a business trip, and an acquaintance presented me with a box of cookies as a welcome gift. It was beautifully presented, featuring a large and beautifully intricate bow. I thanked my companion and expressed that I would open it... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Trending: Packaging Innovations that Inspire Reuse, Replace Plastic, Save Wildlife
Trending: Packaging Innovations that Inspire Reuse, Replace Plastic, Save Wildlife
Published on June 3, 2016
About a 4 minute read

Zappos is challenging consumers to “literally think outside the box.” For its new #ImNotABox campaign, the online retailer will be shipping a number of shoes in a limited-edition boxes that encourage recipients to reuse them in new, inventive way... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
IFF Goes Circular with New Sustainability Strategy, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Fragrance
IFF Goes Circular with New Sustainability Strategy, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Fragrance
Published on June 3, 2016
About a 4 minute read

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF), a leading producer of “sensory experiences that move the world,” has released its 2015 sustainability results in a report, Creating a Sustainable Future, and announced the launch of a new sustai... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Activating on the SDGs: How Business-Driven Sustainability Will Change the World
Activating on the SDGs: How Business-Driven Sustainability Will Change the World
Published on June 2, 2016
About a 5 minute read

This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and Sustainable Brands on the power of purpose in driving business success. The Huffington Post is a media partner for SB’16 San Diego, Sustainable Brands’ flagship conference — June... View More

Article
Materials & PackagingInnovation & Technology
Audi, DuPont, Novozymes Among 20 Orgs Joining Below50 Coalition to Scale Up Sustainable Fuels
Audi, DuPont, Novozymes Among 20 Orgs Joining Below50 Coalition to Scale Up Sustainable Fuels
Published on June 1, 2016
About a 3 minute read

From investors to growers, producers, blenders and consumers, the below50 initiative, launched today, expects to attract every industry sector involved in the pipeline of sustainable fuels. Any company who produces, uses and/or invests in fuels that ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
MIT Researchers Look to Bones, Sea Sponges as Blueprints for Stronger Concrete
MIT Researchers Look to Bones, Sea Sponges as Blueprints for Stronger Concrete
Published on May 31, 2016
About a 4 minute read

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have proposed a new bio-inspired, “bottom-up” approach for designing cement paste – concrete’s binding ingredient. Led by Oral Buyukozturk, a professor in MIT’s Department of Ci... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
P&G Removing Phosphates from All Dishwasher Tablets, Boosting Performance and Water Savings
P&G Removing Phosphates from All Dishwasher Tablets, Boosting Performance and Water Savings
Published on May 26, 2016
About a 3 minute read

Procter & Gamble announced today that it will eliminate phosphates from all of its Fairy dishwasher tablets by 2017. This change will apply to retail brands globally, going beyond current legislation*, and represents the removal of 14,000 tons an... View More

Article
Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Student Scientists Develop Bacteria That Could Take a Bite Out of Plastic Pollution
Student Scientists Develop Bacteria That Could Take a Bite Out of Plastic Pollution
Published on May 25, 2016
About a 4 minute read

21- and 22-year-old Jeanny Yao and Miranda Wang are making the most of their student years; since high school, the pair have filed 2 patents, founded a company, and raised about $400,000 in pursuit of developing a bacteria that can break down ocean-b... View More

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