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
UK Scientists Say New Form of Carbon Graphite Could Revolutionize Renewable Energy, EVs
UK Scientists Say New Form of Carbon Graphite Could Revolutionize Renewable Energy, EVs
Published on December 3, 2014
About a 3 minute read

A recently discovered form of carbon graphite has a completely unexpected property that scientists say could revolutionize the development of renewable energy and electric cars.According to results published in the journal Nature, researchers at the ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Novelis 'Creating Value' by Increasing Closed-Loop Recycling, Reducing Carbon Emissions
Novelis 'Creating Value' by Increasing Closed-Loop Recycling, Reducing Carbon Emissions
Published on November 26, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Novelis’ recently released Fiscal Year 2014 sustainability report shows the aluminum rolling and recycling giant making significant investments and strides to advance the circular economy and increase the sustainability of its business, the aluminu... View More

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Materials & Packaging
Carbios Makes New Advances in Reduction of Plastic Waste Through Enzymatic Depolymerization
Carbios Makes New Advances in Reduction of Plastic Waste Through Enzymatic Depolymerization
Published on November 25, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Carbios, a French green chemistry company specializing in technologies dedicated to the recovery of plastic waste and the production of bio-polymers, recently announced that it has successfully managed to depolymerize 90 percent of polylactic acid (P... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
SC Johnson Highlights Lower GHGs and Waste, Higher Ingredient Transparency in 2014 Sustainability Report
SC Johnson Highlights Lower GHGs and Waste, Higher Ingredient Transparency in 2014 Sustainability Report
Published on November 25, 2014
About a 3 minute read

In its just-released 2014 sustainability report, SC Johnson details progress on its environmental goals — including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent and manufacturing waste by 71 percent since 2000 — as well as si... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
AkzoNobel and Partners Considering Sugar Beets as Renewable Chemical Feedstock
AkzoNobel and Partners Considering Sugar Beets as Renewable Chemical Feedstock
Published on November 25, 2014
About a 3 minute read

AkzoNobel has joined forces with SuikerUnie, Rabobank, Deloitte, Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands (NOM), Groningen Seaports, and the Province of Groningen to investigate the possibility of producing chemicals from beet-d... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Survey: Consumers Hate Product Waste More Than Going to the Dentist
Survey: Consumers Hate Product Waste More Than Going to the Dentist
Published on November 21, 2014
About a 4 minute read

This week, LiquiGlide Inc. — creator of a coating for the insides of food containers that helps coax out every last drop — released survey results that clearly illustrate consumers' intense dislike of product waste. ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Confused by All the Tools to Evaluate Chemicals?
Confused by All the Tools to Evaluate Chemicals?
Published on November 21, 2014
About a 7 minute read

While listening to the radio in New York City a while back I heard an ad for a ‘chemical free’ mattress.What is a ‘chemical free’ mattress? There is no such thing. In fact, like all of our consumer products, all humans, animals, and minerals ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Researchers Develop Process to Make Nanostructured Carbon from Sawdust Waste
Researchers Develop Process to Make Nanostructured Carbon from Sawdust Waste
Published on October 31, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Chemists at the University of Birmingham have found a new way to make nanostructured carbon using the waste product sawdust, according to research published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Green Chemistry.By cooking sawdust with a thin coat... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
AkzoNobel Develops Nature-Inspired Additive to Improve Road Safety
AkzoNobel Develops Nature-Inspired Additive to Improve Road Safety
Published on October 30, 2014
About a 2 minute read

AkzoNobel has launched an additive for road salt to help protect against frost damage and improve driving safety.Inspired by the ability of certain animals to withstand cold and prevent ice forming in their bodies, Ecosel® AsphaltProtection is a ful... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
M&S Replacing Confounding Packaging Ties with Eco- and Consumer-Friendly Paper Version
M&S Replacing Confounding Packaging Ties with Eco- and Consumer-Friendly Paper Version
Published on October 28, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Isn’t it great when a simpler solution makes the most sense? This week, Marks and Spencer (M&S) rolled out a much less aggravating alternative to the dreaded plastic and metal ties traditionally used to secure products inside packaging, particu... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Cooper Tire & Rubber Testing Tires Made with Guayule
Cooper Tire & Rubber Testing Tires Made with Guayule
Published on October 23, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company — the Ohio-based parent company of a global family of companies that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires — has completed tire builds using rubber deriv... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Shareholders Representing $35B Press P&G for Recyclable Packaging
Shareholders Representing $35B Press P&G for Recyclable Packaging
Published on October 21, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble has made a qualified commitment that 90 percent of its packaging will be recyclable by 2020. The commitment came the day before an October 14 vote on a shareholder proposal filed by shareholder advocacy group... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Solazyme Wins 2014 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award
Solazyme Wins 2014 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award
Published on October 20, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Solazyme, producer of renewable oil and bioproducts, has won the 2014 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for its breakthrough platform technology to produce sustainable oils and products from microalgae for commercial use in a wide range of... View More

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Materials & Packaging
B&Q Is Out to Make Gardening as Sustainable as We Always Thought It Was
B&Q Is Out to Make Gardening as Sustainable as We Always Thought It Was
Published on October 16, 2014
About a 3 minute read

As an urban farmer, I’ve always been proud of my small-scale food production and gardening efforts, thinking that I’m supporting nature and working with the environment. But I wasn’t aware of the impacts of the gardening materials I chose and u... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Tetra Pak Launches First Package Made From 100% Plant-Based Packaging Materials
Tetra Pak Launches First Package Made From 100% Plant-Based Packaging Materials
Published on October 16, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Tetra Pak, provider of food processing and packaging solutions, today announced the launch of the industry’s first carton made entirely from plant-based, renewable packaging materials.The new Tetra Rex® carton will be the first in the market to ha... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
AkzoNobel Creates Longer-Lasting, Self-Cleaning Paint
AkzoNobel Creates Longer-Lasting, Self-Cleaning Paint
Published on October 15, 2014
About a 2 minute read

AkzoNobel has discovered a way to add self-cleaning properties and extend the life of its paints. Pioneered by one of the company’s product developers, Dr. Peter Greenwood, the company added colloidal silica to its paints and found it gave them thi... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Clorox Increasing Product Transparency with Mobile App, Ingredient Calculator
Clorox Increasing Product Transparency with Mobile App, Ingredient Calculator
Published on October 8, 2014
About a 3 minute read

The Clorox Company — a multinational leading manufacturer of top-selling cleaning and personal care products — has announced the launch of its Clorox Preferred Ingredient Calculator. The company has also expanded its Ingredients Inside program �... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Biome Bioplastics Unveils Plant-Based 3D-Printing Filament to Rival Oil-Based Counterparts
Biome Bioplastics Unveils Plant-Based 3D-Printing Filament to Rival Oil-Based Counterparts
Published on October 7, 2014
About a 3 minute read

One of the UK’s leading bioplastics developers, Biome Bioplastics, has launched a new plant-based material for the 3D printing industry. Biome says its Biome3D, made from plant starches, is a biodegradable plastic that combines easy processing and ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Global Chemical Companies Release Environmental Footprint Guide
Global Chemical Companies Release Environmental Footprint Guide
Published on October 7, 2014
About a 2 minute read

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has published a new guide designed to help chemical industry customers and stakeholders make more informed, sustainable choices.Life Cycle Metrics for Chemical Products is the result of a... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
BASF's 'Intelligent' Gypsum Board Can Help Regulate Room Temperatures During Extreme Weather
BASF's 'Intelligent' Gypsum Board Can Help Regulate Room Temperatures During Extreme Weather
Published on September 30, 2014
About a 2 minute read

As the likelihood grows for climate change to potentially wreak havoc with seasonal temperatures around the world, it not only has implications for our outdoor environment but indoors, as well: When rooms inside buildings become uncomfortably hot, fo... View More

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