When Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) first sang “Bein’ Green” in 1970, few consumers were concerned about climate change. Most manufacturers didn’t focus on sustainability or tout their products’ “green” qualities (if they happened to have any). Oh, how times have changed.
Historically, about one-third of 3M’s annual sales come from products created in the past five years, so the impact is expected to expand greatly with each successive year.
September 16, 2020
3M recently announced that each 3M product entering the new product commercialization process will include a Sustainability Value Commitment that demonstrates how it drives impact for the greater good.
The long-term commitment contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in the grid and supports Henkel in reaching its climate protection targets.
September 15, 2020
Henkel recently announced that it has signed a large-scale virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) relating to a new wind farm in Bee County, Texas.
Sustainability and recyclability continue to be critical for adhesives in packaging applications, as does the need to continually improve efficiency and reduce cost.
As the corrugating industry’s workhorse, adhesives are diverse and cover a wide range of chemistries, forms, applications, and necessities. Packaging itself varies from heat-sealed polymers to plastics, foils, and paperboard.
As part of the U.S. Plastics Pact, activators like Henkel recognize that significant, system-wide change is imperative to realize a circular economy for plastics.
September 8, 2020
Henkel North America recently announced that it has joined the U.S. Plastics Pact, a collaborative, solutions-driven initiative.
Ink, adhesive, paperboard, film, and other material suppliers need to understand relevant certifications and processes in order to adhere to recycling or composting standards.
Consumer sentiment continues to drive sustainability throughout the economy and society. Consumers often view packaging as wasteful, and they demand more sustainable options as a result. Many terms, such as reuse, recycle, compost, and reduction, resonate positively with consumers.
In developing the document, RPM reports that it conducted a robust materiality assessment, informed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and other common sustainability frameworks.
September 2, 2020
RPM International Inc. recently announced that it has released its first “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report” highlighting the company’s safe, ethical, and sustainable business practices.
As continued research and development races to meet the growing appetite for sustainable adhesives, manufacturers must also push innovations in processing that reduce both waste and energy consumption.
Manufacturers and scientists are continually pushing the envelope on eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, coatings, and potting and encapsulation compounds. Demand for green and sustainable formulations is expected to keep growing due to tightening legislation, consumer awareness, and new opportunities.