Circular Economy

The University of Maine has unveiled a polymer 3D printer four times larger than the world’s biggest –– which is also on its campus. UMaine researchers foresee using it to print houses, boats, and infrastructure and to develop military vehicles.

The Holy Grail 2.0 initiative led by the AIM-European Brands Association and powered by Digimarc is transforming the recycling landscape through innovative technology.

The plastics industry stands at a critical juncture, shaped by an increasing array of regulations aimed at mitigating environmental impact, particularly concerning single-use plastics.

The toy industry utilizes 40 tonnes of plastic for every $1 million in revenue and constitutes the most plastic-intensive industry. Unfortunately, people discard 80% of toys in landfills. This issue, coupled with the growing demand for sustainable products, drives the…

Solvent-targeted recovery and precipitation (STRAP) process stands out as a promising alternative to polypropylene (PP) disposable face mask recycling.

Toray Industries, a Japan-based company, has unveiled a groundbreaking development in the field of cosmetics raw materials. They have created a new polyamide 4 (PA4) spherical fine particle that boasts biodegradability in marine environments, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in the cosmetics industry.

Billie Eilish plans to use recycled and bio-based vinyl, as well as recycled packaging materials, to make her upcoming third album as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

Brands and package designers are developing seaweed-based packaging as an alternative to single-use plastics. Companies such as PlantSea Ltd., Notpla Ltd., Sway Innovation and Loliware Inc. are all active in the space.

GreenMantra Technologies diverts thousands of tons of plastic from landfills, dumps, and the ocean. They leverage molecular recycling to produce sustainable additives from plastic waste.

Packamama’s eco-conscious, lightweight, flat-pack, recycled PET (rPET) wine bottles save space, reduce supply-chain emissions, and are virtually unbreakable.

Recycling plastic films through Solvent-Targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAP) is crucial for environmental sustainability since packaging commonly uses these materials. While experts are testing pioneering methods, scaling these techniques remains a challenge.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) stands out as a promising alternative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” due to its lower environmental impact while maintaining similar benefits.