Design

Clamping force calculation is essential for injection molding projects to avoid expensive corrections later.

Decathlon, a leader in sports equipment and apparel, is stepping up to address shoe pollution with its innovative mono-material shoes, designed for more efficient recycling. Shoe pollution poses a major environmental challenge. Millions of discarded shoes, made from a mix of materials, end up in landfills each year. These materials release harmful substances as they slowly decompose.

EU-supported SmartCore project creates nanorods with a core-shell structure comprised of a multi-stimuli-responsive smart polymer and a piezoelectric ZnO shell. An array of these stimuli-responsive nanorods on a surface constitutes smart skin. These combine force, humidity, and temperature sensing (F-H-T) with high spatial resolution.

The Consumer Goods Forum’s Golden Design Rule to remove problematic elements from packaging targets elements like undetectable carbon black, PVC, EPS, PS, PETG in rigid plastic packaging, and oxo-degradable materials. Its implementation promises profound environmental benefits and aligns with global sustainability goals.

The case study from Citrine on the AI-driven development of additives for the carbon fiber manufacturing process outperformed conventional approaches by 4x in its ability to pinpoint viable candidates. This illustrates the transformative impact AI and machine learning (ML) have on materials science.

In the face of growing environmental concerns, the plastics industry faces a unique challenge: How to communicate effectively about plastic use and recycling? The “How to Talk About Plastics” guide from the University of Sheffield offers valuable insights into using language effectively to reduce plastic pollution and encourage pro-environmental behavior.

In the battle against plastic pollution and rising logistics costs, a simple yet effective strategy is emerging: reducing headspace in packaging. This approach, endorsed by The Consumer Goods Forum’s Golden Design Rules, can lead to significant environmental and economic benefits.

With the growing demand for environmentally friendly activities and considering that 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions are currently generated by the construction sector, the implementation of sustainable construction has become a necessity.

Global recycling only recycles 9% of plastic waste. Furthermore, inappropriate adhesives and coatings in packaging can reduce or delay the recycling process. So, what should be considered in the development of new coatings and adhesives?

To combat plastic waste, France has introduced a ban on plastic stickers on fruits and vegetables. The move signals a significant shift towards more sustainable packaging solutions. Moreover, this pioneering legislation, aims to reduce the ecological footprint of the food industry and promote eco-friendly alternatives.

Micro molding, a specialized manufacturing process, produces small and high-precision components with micron tolerances. The constant demand for miniaturization and higher complexity geometries for medical and electronic devices drives the continuous evolution of this technology.

Ecomodulation is a policy approach aimed at encouraging ecodesign and reducing the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. Modulating fees or taxes based on a product’s environmental footprint incentivizes manufacturers to adopt greener practices. This concept is increasingly relevant as societies strive to tackle climate change and reduce waste.