Ethical Procurement – Trends in manufacturing materials that lower the carbon footprint and increase social responsibility.

With intense competition in today’s business landscape, can manufacturers generate profits through ethical and sustainable material choices? At Baumen, we’ve noticed a shift in customer preferences towards materials compliance and corporate social responsibility. Customers want assurance of ethical sourcing and transparency in manufacturing processes. This growing demand inspires manufacturers to embrace innovative and sustainable material procurement, benefiting both the planet and profitability. So, what are some of these exciting new materials that manufacturers and design engineers are integrating into manufacturing processes to get their products out of the door? There are many, but here are a few that are most applicable for our partners.

Plastic Alternatives

Plastics are versatile and highly sought-after for manufacturing various products, but they also contribute significantly to pollution. Fortunately, advancements in bioplastics, pulp-based plastics, and aluminum offer affordable, recyclable, and compostable alternatives for flexible and semi-flexible plastic applications¹. Rigid plastics, which account for over half of global plastic usage ¹, can be replaced with recycled or sustainable options like wood, bamboo, steel, bioplastics, and aluminum. Another innovative product comes from MIT where design engineers have introduced a groundbreaking two-dimensional polymer plastic called 2DPA-1, which is twice as strong as steel, lightweight, and moldable ². When used as an ultra-thin barrier coating it is ideal for automotive and cell phone industries, and its manufacturing process is easily scalable and energy efficient. Shifting to these plastic alternatives not only reduces the environmental footprint of applications but also enhances product lifetime, durability, and strength.

Plastic Semi-Conductors & Flexible Integrated Circuits

Despite some initial skepticism, the decision to replace silicon chips with plastic in semiconductors is actually a brilliant strategy for reducing greenhouse emissions ³. The reality is that the semiconductor industry is far from environmentally friendly. Not only does it rely on harmful chemicals and gases like perfluorocarbons (PFCs), but it also consumes substantial amounts of water and energy. In fact, TSMC, a Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer, reportedly consumed 7% of Taiwan’s total power consumption, surpassing the energy consumption of the entire city of Taipei in 2022. ³

Fortunately, plastic flexible Integrated Circuits (FICs) require approximately 100 times less energy, fewer harmful chemicals, significantly less water, and only minimal quantities of a greenhouse gas called carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) in comparison to silicon microchips ⁴. But that’s not all. FICs also necessitate smaller amounts of plastic substrate and are typically thinner than a human hair ⁴. Additionally, they have the potential to utilize bioplastics and biodegradable substrates in the future. While silicon semiconductors will always have their place, FICs, with their inherent flexibility, can be a perfect compliment to silicon chips with their “good enough”⁴ performance at a fraction of the environmental cost.

Innovative Paints

The paint industry is another example of remarkable innovation dedicated to improving our quality of life and making a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions and the use of harmful compounds. As consumers grow increasingly concerned about sustainability and eco-friendly options, paint manufacturers are creating products that can withstand the toughest conditions, from everyday wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and harmful UV exposure. This commitment has led to groundbreaking advancements in surface engineering ⁶, including the development of self-healing ^5,7, self-cooling ⁵, self-cleaning ⁵, and even paints that offer protection against viruses and bacteria ^5,7.

Embracing the values of safety and sustainability, the industry has committed to reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)⁷ while revolutionizing paint application techniques through the integration of robotics and generative artificial intelligence (AI) ⁷. Moreover, the incredible advancements in nanotechnology ⁶ have greatly enhanced paint performance, offering superior UV protection, exceptional durability, reduced drying time ⁷, resistance to bacteria and corrosion ⁷, as well as effective dust repellence. Using an environmentally friendly paint on applications can make a significant difference in the energy consumption and the lifetime of products, reducing their environmental footprint.

Manufacturers now have the incredible opportunity to transform the manufacturing industry and lead the charge towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. By embracing these exciting advancements in sustainable materials and innovative technologies, manufacturers can make a positive difference in the world. Not only does this improve corporate social responsibility, but it also proves to be a profitable and successful business strategy.