From packaging to personal care, safer solutions are available.

Although these are not all consumer facing products, they all demonstrate a key principle of Green Chemistry. Here are a few examples of either commercial products, or research projects that offer great promise for the future.

Performance chemicals for apparel – Replacing fossil fuels.

Beyond Surface Technologies (BST), a German chemical company makes sustainable chemicals for textiles. Their aim is to replace fossil-based raw materials with natural or bio-based equivalents without compromising quality.

BST currently provides a range of textile effects used by several apparel brands. Their softeners are made from USDA certified bio based components or cosmetic grade ingredients used in the personal care industry. They have a non-formaldehyde resin for denim, that makes 3D patterns on garments and are developing an easy-care system to provide a “no iron” benefit.

For some formulations, the ingredients have been assessed using GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals.

Restoring hair to its natural color – Replacing hazardous hair dyes.

Hairprint is a new non-toxic solution for graying hair invented by John Warner, co-author of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.

The technology works in an opposite way to a dye. Rather than stripping hair of its color and adding a dye, Hairprint uses a mixture of 8 food grade ingredients to make and infuse hair with eumelanin, a natural dark colored pigment that colors hair follicles.

Packaging materials from recycled paper- Replacing hazardous plastics such as PVC.

Pulpworks a packaging company based in San Rafael, uses recycled paper pulp to replace blister packaging made from PVC, one of the most hazardous plastics in use today. The company offers compostable products, molded from 100% post-consumer waste-paper and agriculture. In addition, they are can produce custom packaging that achieves sustainability goals without compromising aesthetic requirements. Current customers include EOProducts and Groupon.

Separating cotton polyester blended textiles – Replacing hazardous solvents.

Researchers in Australia have used ionic liquids to separate polyester from cotton-poly blended textiles. Up to 95% of the polyester can be re-used. The ionic liquid solvents dissolve cotton, leaving the polyester intact. Further research is under way to see if cotton can be regenerated into new cellulosic materials.

The solvent is recyclable, reusable and not as dangerous as traditional solvents that can be very hazardous to workers. Water of-course is the exception!

Successfully separating cotton/poly blends has not been achieved before, and that coupled with safer solvents, makes this a really interesting innovation.

These are a few innovations that I find interesting. The good news is that there are many more. Now we have to create the demand for true greener solutions.

Impact to your business

Questions to Consider:

• Do you research products made from Green Chemistry principles?
• Do you make products that contain chemicals of concern?

For help with any issue associated with chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation that result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.

Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed chemicals management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions for you to consider .