Rethinking Materials

Rethinking Materials took place on May 14-15 at the Hilton London Bankside, and the diversity of industries that participated was remarkable. Global investors and leaders in materials innovation from plastics, packaging, fashion, beauty and automotive came together to address common challenges across the value chain and drive meaningful change. Common themes which echoed across the two days included regulation as the catalyst for progress, designing for end-of-life and how to increase brand commitment to new materials, as leaders focused on scaling innovation in new materials in consumer goods. Check out the main takeaways here - https://lnkd.in/d7cxWrE The summit platform is open until June 12, allowing you to continue networking with delegates, speakers and partners and watch the main stage discussions on demand. (Not registered? Sign up now for virtual access - https://lnkd.in/g8YhFpg). Join us next year in London May 13-14, and in California October 2025! Reach out if you would like to shape the programme and be involved as a speaker, partner, exhibitor or featured start-up at our upcoming events - rachel.myall@rethinkevents.com Thanks again to everyone who participated in making this another incredible event. Aquapak Polymers Ltd Pakka Alchemy Cloud, Inc. AMSilk GmbH | Biotech Materials ChainCraft Collateral Good Evoco Kraft Heinz Matrix Pack Group Teknor Apex Company Biotic erthos® Generation Food Rural Partners Fund Big Idea Ventures Emerald Technology Ventures Intercos AgFunder GO!PHA The Grocer MassChallenge Switzerland epda (european brand & packaging design association) Source Green Sustainable Packaging News RECOUP The Mills Fabrica FUTUREVVORLD

Neil Cameron, Partner, Emerald Technology Ventures, discusses how regulation is lighting a fire under the plastic waste management ecosystem. Neil joined the panel ‘Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Fast-Changing Legislation at a Local and Global Level’ with leaders from Notpla, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, RECOUP, GO!PHA and Lorax EPI. Read on our website: https://lnkd.in/e3GhFbyk Find out how you can get involved in Rethinking Materials 2025 as partner, speaker, exhibitor or delegate: https://lnkd.in/eJsSs4_w

Dirk Haensch, our Global Advanced Materials Manager, took the stage as a keynote speaker in the Rethinking Materials conference in London, uniting over 300 pioneers in materials innovation for consumer goods. We were honored to join the panel on “Achieving Recyclability: Advances in Technology for True Circularity,” led by Efrat Friedland from materialscout. The discussion highlighted innovations in recycling, challenges in the petrochemical industry, and opportunities to develop advanced polymers. At the roundtable on “Achieving Recyclability Through Materials Innovation,” engineers and designers, shared their need for recyclable shoe midsoles—a challenge we are addressing. The event was a testament to how global leaders and investors in plastics, packaging, fashion, beauty, and automotive are collaborating to drive meaningful change. Find key takeaways here: https://lnkd.in/evybF9h

We have been reflecting on the Rethinking Materials conference and what we learned. It was a great event, not only to discover innovative #material start-ups, but to shed a light of all aspects of the material landscape and value chain. Over the 2 days we heard from experts in their field to un-pack the challenges and successes of developing or specifying bio-based and circular materials for new products.  The show leaned toward the #packaging industry, #biomaterials & #plastics but there were speakers and insights from the fashion, footwear, automotive and design industries as well.  Topics over the 2 days covered; waste streams & #recycling, the impacts of new legislations, #AI as a tool for material development, scaling up, the bio-economy, investing and finance.   After these jam-packed 2 days, we left feeling hopeful that there are so many great people, ideas and new technologies to help reduce or resolve our negative environmental impacts, whilst also being economically feasible. We need to start implementing them on a commercial scale! ‘The risk of not trying to innovative with new materials & technology is overtaking the risk of introducing something new to the business and it not working’ Kim Fenn (Elemis)

Industrial Physics has just launched a report examining common organisational factors restricting food and beverage packaging innovation. 'Last year, we learned that 96% of packaging decision-makers within the food and beverage space are pro-innovation. But now, exclusive new research uncovers that the reality paints a different picture, with only 24% believing that their company is actively implementing innovation in packaging.' How do internal factors affect innovation? Is a lack of skills stalling progress? Does innovation differ depending on material type? How are different geographies addressing the challenges? Download the report, compiling insights from 380 packaging decision-makers: https://lnkd.in/e3BnUBD3

At erthos®, we see a significant opportunity for strategic collaboration across the sustainable materials industry. The plastic crisis is complex, and we recognize there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. This year, as proud sponsors of the Rethinking Materials conference, we were profoundly struck by the collective urgency and determination to tackle this global challenge uniquely. During a panel discussion, CEO and Co-founder Nuha Siddiqui underscored the critical need for partnerships and innovation, including AI, to drive impactful progress. We can develop and implement effective strategies to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability by pooling our resources and leveraging diverse expertise. Together, we can create a lasting and significant impact. To learn more about how we are designing next-gen biomaterials for the world's largest brands through erthos® Studio, visit https://lnkd.in/g6BgRyHU #erthos #PlasticAlternatives #AIMaterialScience #Collaboration 

🌍🔧 Innovating for a Sustainable Automotive Future 🚗🌿 At the recent Rethinking Materials Summit in London, Stefan Koensgen, R&D Lead Circularity at BMW Group, shared some groundbreaking insights on the future of automotive manufacturing. Key takeaways included the urgent need to redesign cars for easier recycling and the innovative use of materials like wood and bio-based binders. Stefan highlighted the challenges of the current car manufacturing process, which makes recycling difficult and uneconomical. He proposed a shift towards reducing components and using materials that are easier to recycle. One exciting innovation is the use of wood, combined with cork, to create sustainable, CO2-neutral car components. This approach not only meets safety and luxury standards but also supports a closed-loop system where materials can be reused efficiently. At SMC | Shyft Management Consulting, we are dedicated to supporting this transition towards a bioeconomy. Our extensive Materialshyft database and global network of senior niche experts and scientists are here to help automotive producers find alternative materials and innovative solutions. We specialize in sourcing eco-friendly materials and providing tailored consultancy services to address the unique challenges of integrating these materials into manufacturing processes. By rethinking design principles and leveraging sustainable materials, we can all contribute to a greener, more efficient automotive industry. Join us in driving the change towards a sustainable future! Contact us to learn how SMC can support your journey. #Sustainability #AutomotiveInnovation #CircularEconomy #GreenManufacturing #MaterialInnovation #SMCConsultancy #EcoFriendly #FutureOfMobility

Diageo has launched a trial for a paper-based bottle for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur; while a Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle is also in development. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/egj6phNt

We had a great time at last week's Rethinking Materials Summit. Our co-founder and co-CEO, Pierre-Yves Paslier, joined panels and roundtables, discussing our sustainable packaging solutions. 🌎 Swipe through ➡ to see the key insights from the summit. Thanks to the Rethinking Materials for fostering these important conversations.  #Notpla #Sustainability #RethinkingMaterials #RegenerativePackaging

🤝 Anna Altner came back last week from the Rethinking Materials event feeling particularly inspired and energized after 2 days of insightful meetings, presentations, and discussions. The event focused on new materials and solutions with the potential to replace plastics and enhance #sustainability which aligns perfectly with Yangi's ambition: delivering a seamless and pain-free transition for brands and packaging producers to adopt our dry forming technology, Cellera, supporting them in achieving their #netzero targets, sooner rather than later. Here are her key takeaways from her time in #London:  ✅Brands are showing significant momentum.  ✅Innovative solutions are essential.  ✅Collaboration within the value chain is vital for commercialization.  ✅Addressing this complex challenge is not easy; industry and investors must collaborate to support startups and foster new innovations. 💛💭Thank you to the Rethinking Materials team for allowing Yangi's Founder founder to share her thoughts during the panel discussion on paper-based packaging, guided by Peter McGeough from Aptar alongside Romain Metivet from Cellulotech, Alex Pitsinos from Matrix Pack Group, Caroline Locre from @blueoceanclosures and William Connolly from Diageo