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
Kaiser Permanente Commits to Flame-Retardant-Free Furniture
Kaiser Permanente Commits to Flame-Retardant-Free Furniture
Published on June 11, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Kaiser Permanente has announced that it will stop purchasing furniture treated with flame retardants. Its new standard specifies that upholstered furniture in new or remodeled buildings should not contain added fire-retardant chemicals.The medical gr... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Ford and Heinz Collaborate on 'Tom-auto'-Based Materials for Car Parts
Ford and Heinz Collaborate on 'Tom-auto'-Based Materials for Car Parts
Published on June 10, 2014
About a 2 minute read

When most people think of ketchup and cars (if they do at all), they’re probably just hoping to not spill any while they’re driving. But researchers at Ford and Heinz have something much cooler in mind — the companies announced today they are i... View More

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Materials & Packaging
Groups call on Walmart, P&G, Coke to Back Proven Recycling Approaches, Not Closed Loop Fund
Groups call on Walmart, P&G, Coke to Back Proven Recycling Approaches, Not Closed Loop Fund
Published on June 6, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Today, a group of public interest organizations called on Walmart and the eight other companies involved in the recently launched $100M “Closed Loop Recycling” loan fund, to instead support proven policies to boost recycling, such as extended pro... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
GE Helps Portuguese Brewery Save 72 Million Liters of Water Annually
GE Helps Portuguese Brewery Save 72 Million Liters of Water Annually
Published on June 6, 2014
About a 2 minute read

A brewery in Portugal has significantly reduced water usage by improving operating performance and reliability with help from GE’s advanced membranes and water chemical technology.The site, Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas (SCC), reused wast... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
adidas Addresses Allegations of Toxic World Cup Gear; Greenpeace Shoots Back
adidas Addresses Allegations of Toxic World Cup Gear; Greenpeace Shoots Back
Published on May 28, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Last week, Greenpeace Germany released a report indicting adidas, Nike and Puma for producing gear for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil that contains hazardous chemicals. The watchdog group unveiled the results after testing 33 items includ... View More

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Materials & Packaging
Investors Press Mondelez International to Switch to Recyclable Packaging
Investors Press Mondelez International to Switch to Recyclable Packaging
Published on May 27, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Last week, shareholder advocacy organization As You Sow (AYS), along with shareholders representing $11.8 billion worth of shares, presented a proposal to Mondelez International asking that the company make the switch to recyclable packaging.The reso... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Greenpeace Chastising Brands for Toxic World Cup Gear
Greenpeace Chastising Brands for Toxic World Cup Gear
Published on May 23, 2014
About a 3 minute read

With less than a month to go before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Greenpeace Germany has released a new report indicting adidas, Nike and Puma for producing soccer gear with hazardous chemicals after testing 33 items including boots, goalkeeper ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Dell Making Good on 'Legacy of Good' Plan with Carbon-Negative Packaging, Closed-Loop Plastics
Dell Making Good on 'Legacy of Good' Plan with Carbon-Negative Packaging, Closed-Loop Plastics
Published on May 21, 2014
About a 5 minute read

On Tuesday, Dell announced new sustainability initiatives that CEO Michael Dell called “the next milestone” in Dell’s 2020 Legacy of Good plan. ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
IBM Stumbles Across New Class of Industrial Polymers That Could Revolutionize Manufacturing
IBM Stumbles Across New Class of Industrial Polymers That Could Revolutionize Manufacturing
Published on May 20, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Scientists from IBM Research say they have accidentally discovered a new class of polymer materials that could deliver cheaper, lighter, stronger and recyclable materials ideal for electronics, aerospace, airline and automotive industries.The new mat... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Lignin Poised to Become Renewable Alternative to Petrochemical Feedstocks
Lignin Poised to Become Renewable Alternative to Petrochemical Feedstocks
Published on May 16, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Lignin, a by-product of the wood-pulping industry, is an organic substance binding the cells, fibers and vessels in wood. Between 40 and 50 million tons are produced worldwide per year; while some is being used for low- and medium-value applications ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Harvard Researchers Develop Bioplastic from Shrimp Shells
Harvard Researchers Develop Bioplastic from Shrimp Shells
Published on May 14, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a new process for the large-scale manufacturing of everyday objects — from cell phones to food containers and toys — using a fully degradable bioplastic made from shrimp shells.The Institute ... View More

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Materials & PackagingInnovation & Technology
Sprint Launches Carbon-Negative, Methane-Based iPhone Cases
Sprint Launches Carbon-Negative, Methane-Based iPhone Cases
Published on May 13, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Today Sprint announced it will be one of the first companies to use AirCarbon™, a new carbon-negative plastic made from methane gas, instead of petroleum. The material will be used in black and pink cell phone cases for the iPhone® 5 and iPhone® ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Closed-Loop Upcycling at Its Finest: Starbucks Now Sourcing Milk from Coffee-Fed Cows
Closed-Loop Upcycling at Its Finest: Starbucks Now Sourcing Milk from Coffee-Fed Cows
Published on May 12, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Menicon Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading contact lens manufacturer, isn’t normally associated with milk. But a recent partnership with Starbucks is showcasing the company’s scientific expertise in a new way: Menicon has helped Starbucks to pioneer fe... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Give the People What They Want: Four Emerging Trends in Sustainable Packaging
Give the People What They Want: Four Emerging Trends in Sustainable Packaging
Published on May 12, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Asia Pulp and Paper's Forest Conservation Policy (FCP), announced in February 2013, came about in large part due to NGO pressure and the resulting concerns of our customers. The FCP marked an immediate halt to all natural forest clearance across our ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Hershey Reduces Paper and Energy Waste With Packaging Innovation
Hershey Reduces Paper and Energy Waste With Packaging Innovation
Published on May 12, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Hershey has unveiled a new packaging design for its Miniatures Assortment, which offers a more attractive presentation while also reducing wrapper weight by 0.05 grams — equivalent to over 271,800 pounds of wrappers saved every year.Overall, the re... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Get the Last Drop: New Marketing Opportunities in a Resource-Constrained World
Get the Last Drop: New Marketing Opportunities in a Resource-Constrained World
Published on May 7, 2014
About a 5 minute read

What’s your favorite way to get at that last dollop of Crest? Do you flatten as you go? Slice the neck?What about shampoo or conditioner? Do you add a little water and swirl? Prop the bottle upside down in a corner? You are not alone! As the Wall S... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Dow's Reverse Osmosis Technology Earns Bronze Edison Award
Dow's Reverse Osmosis Technology Earns Bronze Edison Award
Published on May 6, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Last week, not long after Dow designated its FILMTEC™ ECO Reverse Osmosis (RO) Elements as its second Breakthrough to a World Challenge, the technology garnered a prestigious Edison Award. ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
INVISTA Unveils Renewable, Bio-Based LYCRA Material
INVISTA Unveils Renewable, Bio-Based LYCRA Material
Published on May 6, 2014
About a 3 minute read

INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, and owner of the LYCRA® brand, today introduces the first commercial offering of a bio-derived spandex — the stretchy fabric commonly found in swimwear, sportswear ... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Unilever's Lux Soap Will Now Be Made with Algal Oils
Unilever's Lux Soap Will Now Be Made with Algal Oils
Published on April 30, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Unilever and Solazyme announced today the incorporation of algal oils into Unilever’s Lux brand soap (branded Caress in the US), which Unilever says is the world’s best-selling bar soap. The move aligns with Unilever’s ambition to double the si... View More

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Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
'Make It, Take It' Campaign Pressuring Companies to Take Responsibility for Packaging Waste
'Make It, Take It' Campaign Pressuring Companies to Take Responsibility for Packaging Waste
Published on April 30, 2014
About a 4 minute read

A coalition of organizations devoted to waste and recycling, plastic pollution and resource conservation today launched the Make It, Take It Campaign, a collaborative effort to pressure consumer goods companies to take responsibility for packaging wa... View More

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