15 Leading Plastics Innovations

Did you know there are some really cool and eco-friendly ways to handle everyday tasks like drying off after a shower, listening to music, or even storing paint? Even though plastics have been around since the 19th century, there are always new, creative innovations hitting the market. These innovations are designed to meet society’s needs while pushing for more sustainable plastic options.

After the great response to last year’s article, the BPF has put together a list of 15 new and inventive plastic innovations that are making a positive impact on our world.

1. Prevented Ocean Plastic

Prevented Ocean Plastic is top-quality, certified recycled plastic collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean pollution. They’ve gathered over one billion plastic bottles and turned them into brand new products!

Here’s how it works: Discarded plastic bottles are picked up from vulnerable coastal areas and taken to local collection centers for sorting. From there, they’re sent to recycling factories where the plastic is cleaned, sanitized, and turned into raw material flakes or pellets. These are then used to make new recycled packaging you’ll find on supermarket shelves.

Most of the plastic that ends up in the ocean comes from places with poor waste management systems. The UK-led Prevented Ocean Plastic program tackles this issue by incentivizing the collection of ocean-bound plastic, building sustainable infrastructure, creating income for local communities, raising industry standards, and providing better plastic options for consumers. How amazing is that?

Want to learn more about Prevented Ocean Plastic? Check out their website: www.preventedoceanplastic.com

2. Bluetooth Speaker Made From Recycled Plastic

Gomi, a cool and eco-friendly design studio in Brighton, is leading the way in turning old lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and plastic bag waste into stylish, high-quality audio products.

Their Bluetooth speakers showcase their vision for a future without waste. They take some of the hardest-to-recycle materials and turn them into durable, repairable products that look and sound great.

Gomi offers a ‘gomi for life’ promise, which means they’ll repair any product for life thanks to its modular design. They’re proving that it’s possible to create amazing tech without compromising on quality or performance.

Want to find out more? Check them out here: gomi.design/pages/collection-one-speakers

3. Badaptor

Badaptor is a simple plastic adapter that allows you to use your existing battery with Ryobi, Makita, DeWalt, or Milwaukee power tools. Instead of buying a whole new battery and charger system, Badaptor lets you access hundreds of other tools without having to switch from your favorite battery system. This not only saves you money but also helps cut down on the use of Li-Ion batteries!

Plus, with fewer batteries and chargers needed, it reduces the amount of plastic and materials used in manufacturing. It also cuts down on unnecessary charging, which saves energy and helps lower your carbon footprint.

Learn more about how Badaptor is helping reduce carbon footprints: badaptor.com.

4. Microban Utilising Novel Antimicrobial Chemistries to Create More Sustainable Plastics

As we all know, COVID-19 and the growing demand for environmental responsibility are changing the future of plastic products. With 72% of consumers now worried about bacteria exposure and 85% actively making eco-friendly choices, there’s a big shift happening. That’s where Microban comes in, helping to create smarter products that tackle both cleanliness and sustainability with their antimicrobial innovations.

Microban’s cutting-edge antimicrobial technologies work around the clock to prevent material degradation, discoloration, and odors that can affect product performance. Their sustainable solutions, made from non-heavy-metal and metal-free chemistries, support regular cleaning routines by reducing the need for harsh chemicals and lowering overall water and energy use.

Learn more: microban.com/blog.

5. Flossie

The Flossie is a handy flossing tool designed by Christopher Kenny, a student at TU Dublin, to help people with hand dexterity issues. It allows users to maintain a simple circular grip throughout the entire flossing process, making it easier and more comfortable.

Around 40% of people over 65 have some kind of hand dexterity problem, which can make flossing nearly impossible. Without flossing, the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other health issues increases. Flossie’s goal is to make flossing accessible and pain-free for everyone, helping them maintain good dental health.

For those who struggle with intricate finger movements, the Flossie offers a solution by allowing them to complete their flossing routine with a comfortable grip, reducing pain and difficulty.

See how it works: Flossie Demonstration.

6. NEUE Water

Berry Global created NEUE, a bottled water designed to fit perfectly into a small handbag, back pocket, or seat storage on a plane or train—perfect for today’s busy lifestyle.

What makes NEUE unique is its design: one side has a flat surface for a central label, while the other features a curved, magnified window that makes the label stand out on the shelf. But NEUE isn’t just about style—it’s also eco-friendly. The bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic, which means less new plastic is produced, and more waste is kept out of landfills and oceans. The sturdy design also makes the bottles reusable and recyclable.

It’s not just us who think NEUE is amazing—the water sold out in its first week at Harrods. Check it out: https://neuewater.com/.

7. Idry – The Innovative Towel-Free Body Drying Solution

Berry Global created NEUE, a bottled water designed to fit perfectly into a small handbag, back pocket, or seat storage on a plane or train—perfect for today’s busy lifestyle.

What makes NEUE unique is its design: one side has a flat surface for a central label, while the other features a curved, magnified window that makes the label stand out on the shelf. But NEUE isn’t just about style—it’s also eco-friendly. The bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic, which means less new plastic is produced, and more waste is kept out of landfills and oceans. The sturdy design also makes the bottles reusable and recyclable.

It’s not just us who think NEUE is amazing—the water sold out in its first week at Harrods. Check it out: https://neuewater.com/.

8. Catheter Bag Carry

Kenneth Thornton, a student at Edinburgh Napier University, designed the Catheter Bag Carry to help users keep their catheter bags discreet and protected as they fill up. The carry case prevents the bag from sticking out awkwardly under clothing and offers protection from bumps, knocks, and falls.

The design uses fins that fit into the bag, compartmentalizing liquids to reduce uncomfortable movement throughout the day. It’s compatible with all portable catheter bags available through the NHS and private suppliers in the UK. This clever innovation in plastics earned Thornton second place in the DIP Awards 2022.

9. Uponor PE-X Pipe

Uponor has launched the world’s first cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe made through a circular manufacturing process using 100% chemically recycled material from their own production waste.

This is one of the first successful projects to commercially recycle PEX material, “closing the circularity loop” by creating pipes suitable for drinking water and underfloor heating entirely from production waste.

This difficult-to-recycle plastic is now being transformed into high-quality polymer feedstock, allowing the continuous production of new pipes with the same properties as the original material.

Learn more: https://www.uponor.com

10. Altro Stronghold 30: The First Adhesive-Free Flooring

Altro has developed the first adhesive-free safety flooring designed specifically for the demands of commercial kitchens. It offers sustainable, carbon-saving performance with minimal downtime, making it perfect for busy spaces.

Over 95% of the installed floor can be recycled or reused, and there’s no need for a damp-proof membrane (DPM), which helps reduce landfill waste. The floor can be easily lifted and repurposed elsewhere. When it reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled through a Recofloor collection point and turned into useful products like traffic cones.

Check it out: Altro Adhesive-Free Floors.

11. Energystore+

Energystore has introduced the energystore+ range of EPS insulation products, which significantly cuts down embodied carbon by using sustainable biogas in the manufacturing process.

They believe it’s the first insulation product in the UK to be made with biofuels. This innovation gives the product range the lowest embodied carbon of any insulation available in the country. Although it’s currently undergoing EPD certification, expected in 2023, energystore+ is set to become a carbon-neutral insulation product.

The energystore+ range replaces fossil fuels with renewable ones throughout the value chain, saving fossil fuels and boosting the sustainability of EPS. In just the first two months, the product has been used in over 1,000 homes, preventing 240,000 kg of CO2e emissions. Energystore expects these products to help avoid over 6 million kg of embodied carbon annually as the UK moves toward net zero.

Learn more: Energystore+.

Also Read: COVID-19 and Single-Use Plastic in Europe

12. Rhopoint ID In-line Transparent Appearance Analysis

The Rhopoint ID in-line is a cutting-edge sensor that measures the quality of plastic films, glass, and other transparent materials right during production. It’s the only tool in the world that can do this in an inline format. The sensor checks important things like haze, sharpness, clarity, and visible transmission—key factors that affect how consumers see products through the packaging.

With quick measurements, the process can be adjusted in real-time to ensure products meet customer expectations, reduce waste, and allow for more recycled content.

Check it out: Rhopoint Instruments.

13. The Sherwood Jar

The Sherwood Jar, created by Plastek UK, is a groundbreaking 200ml thin-walled jar with impressive environmental benefits. Here’s what makes it special:

• Thin-walled design: Lightweight yet durable enough to pass e-commerce testing.
• Innovative materials: Uses a new endothermic blowing agent to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
• Sustainable materials: Made with 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material that doesn’t contaminate future recycling streams.
• Eco-friendly additives: Features a climate-positive UBQ additive, a first for thin-walled applications in the UK.
• Future recyclability: Incorporates IR-detectable masterbatch (MB) for easier recycling.

Benefits:

• 100% recycled and recyclable.
• Carbon positive from a material standpoint.

Learn more about the upcoming launch: Plastek UK at Interplas 2023.

14. The Link Vent 4000

In 2022, Glazpart’s R&D team teamed up with industry leaders to create the Link Vent 4000, just in time for new regulations. In just a year, it has become the third best-selling product in Glazpart’s ventilation range, accounting for 24% of their category sales. They’re producing 130,000 units a month, bringing in an extra £160,000 in sales each month.

The Link Vent 4000 is both clever and user-friendly. Its innovative design helps control draughts and noise by directing air away from people, making it a must-have for the window and door industry to meet the latest regulations.

Learn more here: Glazpart.

15. Nars Herbal Fresh

Nars has made a huge impact in the polymer industry with their Herbal Antimicrobial Additive, turning regular products into self-sanitizing and long-lasting solutions.

Working with SASA Polyester, they’ve developed Lifetime Antimicrobial Carpets that show amazing results. Their prototypes achieved an effectiveness rate of over 99% in tests.

This innovative biopolymer technology combines natural herbal elements with polymer materials, creating an antimicrobial additive that fights a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mycobacteria.

Learn more about Nars here: Nars.