Let’s agree that the common theme for the past few months has been uncertainty. My economics lecturer said that nothing is more detrimental to economic markets, and relationships for that matter, than uncertainty. That being said, for entrepreneurs and glass half full thinkers, uncertainty always breeds opportunity. As cliched as that sounds. Which got me thinking, in our chemical industry at this point in time, what are the business trends to look out for? Where should businesses and entrepreneurs invest time and money? So I took a look into business trends globally and found that of the hundred trends identified by Trendhunter.com, these are the ones to look out for in the chemical industry.
Paper Bottle Packaging Concepts
The Absolut Company, as in Absolut Vodka, has identified paper bottle packaging as a great opportunity and is looking to build a circular packaging system. The brand is joining in a collaborative paper bottle development project called 'Paboco'. Other companies that are backing a sustainable future are Carlsberg, L'Oreal, and Coca-Cola.
Not only is the paper bottle packaging lighter than glass, but sustainability is the ultimate influencing factor. Therefore, being 100% recyclable is paramount. The project is facing a few challenges though, such sourcing sealing solutions that can sustain liquid and materials that will withstand carbonated contents, within the packaging. However, Louise Werner, director of the Absolut Company’s future packaging team, is optimistic. These sealing solutions is an opportunity for innovation for the chemical industry.
Colour Double Strap Face masks
Many fashion companies are introducing protective equipment and double-strap face masks have been launched into the category. The collections are meant to keep consumers safe from the COVID-19 as well as act as a medium for self-expression and style for fashionistas.
Les Benjamins's double-strap face masks are secured in order to protect the covering from slipping off or moving. While one strap goes around the neck and below the ears, the other is pulled above them. In addition, the label introduces the design in five different colours; black, white, yellow, purple, and red. The composition boasts three layers of 100% micro fiber. Les Benjamins' face masks can be worn for up to four hours before requiring to be washed by hand in cold water.
We’ve previously discussed cleaning face masks using hydrogen peroxide fog. Although this technology may be in its infancy, it compliments mask innovation nicely. On top of that, different coloured dyes for masks will increase in demand, leaving an opportunity for supply.
Highly sustainable Jeans
Levi has just unveiled its most sustainable jeans yet. The denim will be used in two brand new cuts in Levi's Wellthread line. One will be for men and similar to the iconic 502, while the other be for women as the High Loose model.
The sustainable jeans are made from a blend of organic cotton and Circulose. Circulose is a fabric that is gaining considerable traction in the fashion world due to its closed-loop approach to manufacturing. The fabric is produced by a technology that breaks down discarded cotton textiles using water. The end result is a sheet of Circulose which is made into fiber.
Sanitizing Retail closets
PüreCouture by Püre is a sanitizing retail closet that was created to disinfect garments with UV light and allow for retail tags to remain intact. The closet addresses the needs of the current and future fashion retail landscape, as retailers need new ways to instantly freshen garments and minimize the spread of germs between consumers. With PüreCouture, products are sanitized in a matter of minutes, with 99.9% of pathogens effectively destroyed.
The product helps to address the fact that consumers are eager to return to stores and be able to try on articles of clothing, and the product neatly fits into retail stores with its mirrored front. The PüreCouture is an ideal long-term alternative to dry cleaning and manual sterilization of merchandise and although it is fit for retail settings, it may also be purchased for in-home use.
Methane Reducing Red Seaweed Feeds
Asparagopsis taxiformis is the name of a sustainable red seaweed feed that is currently being harvested to help reduce methane emissions. Research has shown that even adding a little bit of the product to cattle's diet increases growth rate and reduces livestock methane emissions by over 90%. This is very important as the methane emitted today is expected to have about 80 times the global warming effect of CO2 over the next 20 years.
Symbrosia is a start-up that is trying to implement the red seaweed feed as an agricultural norm. The company grows the product sustainably in Hawaii. The process involves zero freshwater and actually bioremediate waste from fish farms. The seaweed is then transformed into animal feed. When consumed by cows, the seaweed feed chemically reduced naturally occurring methane without any side effects for the animal and no impact on its fatty acids.
Eco-Friendly Sanitation Services
Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions, an industry-leading company in hospitality services, launched a new sanitization service named FiltaShield. FiltaSheid will help restaurants in efforts to reopen through sanitation, and also thermal temperature screening. The service will use broad-spectrum disinfectant materials that is EPA registered and also kill 99% of germs. The material is colorless and borderless and can be used in bars, shops, restaurants, offices, and hotels.
If brands can highlight safety efforts, more consumers may feel safe to purchase from a specific location.