We hear a lot of discussion of concepts like ‘sustainable’, ‘renewable’, ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’. Definitions can be fairly fuzzy, but it’s clear that being ‘green’ (or ‘sustainable’ or ‘environmentally friendly’) signifies some notable level of success in one of these areas:
- Renewable raw materials, derived from ‘natural’ (that is, plant or animal) sources. In fact, huge volumes of traditional industrial and consumer products are already made from renewable raw materials, including:
* detergents, personal care and cleaning products, and paint resins made from plant oils
* alcohol fuels from corn and from sugar processing wastes
* RAYON, CELLOPHANE and families of cellulosic additives derived from wood, used in food processing, adhesives and coatings.
R&D is aimed primarily at discovering and selectively breeding higher yielding strains of non-food plant sources. There is, in addition, intense interest in formulating consumer products with higher proportions of renewable materials, including, notably, these sorts of materials sourced from non-traditional suppliers.
- Biologically-based processes for transforming raw materials (usually from renewable sources) into intermediate or finished products.
* Enzymes harvested from micro-organisms on an industrial scale improve our laundry and cleaning products, bakery and other food items, and textile and papermaking
* Fermentation produces important pharmaceutical ingredients and ethanol for fuel
Intense R&D aimed at bio-routes to traditional fossil-based industrial materials has already resulted in commercialization of a bio-based raw material for better carpet fibers and polyester plastics, and promises success with other chemical building blocks within the next couple of years.
- Recycle, compost or bio-degrade to minimize products’ end-of-life impact. Plastic soft drink bottles, water bottles and containers for many household cleaners are recycled in the billions of pounds per year around the world. Compostable of degradable materials, like PLA and PHA plastics, are reducing the environmental impact of fast food packaging and disposable food service items. Regulations, and improvements in recovery and re-use technologies, will expand the range of materials that can be practically recycled or safely degraded.
- Conscientious, and economy-minded, companies and consumers are reducing the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of products they make and use, through improved energy efficiency and waste reduction, tighter supply chain management, and overall operating excellence.
To discuss how we can help you can learn more about ‘green’ materials in your marketplace and about opportunities for your company’s growth and success, contact
