The document discusses 5 sustainability trends in plastics manufacturing to watch in 2018: 1) Increased use of bioplastics made from plant oils as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, 2) New equipment designs that improve energy efficiency and flexibility to lower costs, 3) Improved in-house separation technology to purify recycled materials, 4) Thinner-walled packaging using less resin produced through electric injection molding, and 5) Smart micro-drip irrigation systems that conserve water using remote sensors. The document also notes that while sustainability advances provide opportunities, they can introduce new risks for manufacturers around product performance and liability.

1. Five Developments to Watch in 2018

2. At the 2018 National Plastics Exposition in Orlando,
Travelers manufacturing industry managers Erika Melander
and Brittani Austin explored sustainability trends that may
help give plastics manufacturers a competitive advantage,
such as improved product purification technology and more
energy efficient equipment.
Here are five trends to watch in 2018.
5 Sustainability Trends

3. Bioplastics

4. 01: Bioplastics
Natural biopolymers that are biodegradable and compostable are replacing petroleum-based
plastics. Consumer product companies are seeking out biodegradable plastics, which use plant
oils as the carbon source, for use in more sustainable packaging.

5. Energy
Efficiency

6. 02: Energy efficiency
New designs seek to optimize energy efficiency while increasing production, like this extruder,
which replaces the gearbox with a permanent magnetic synchronous motor. Combining an
extruder and feedscrew offers increased flexibility and a wider range of outputs from a single
machine, which can lower energy costs and increase productivity.

7. Improved
Separation

8. 03: Improved separation
With more robust in-house separation conveyors, manufacturers can shred or grind
materials, remove metals that may damage equipment, and reintroduce purified product
back into their systems, instead of sending it to a landfill.

9. Thin-wall
Packaging

10. 04: Thin-wall packaging
As consumers demand more sustainable products, electric injection compression molding allows
for thinner-walled, lighter-weight packaging that uses less resin and energy to produce. Printing
labels directly on packaging also saves on shipping costs and environmental impact.

11. Smart
Micro-drip
Irrigation

12. 05: Smart micro-drip irrigation
Micro-drip irrigation tubing, connected to remote access support, conserves water by
adjusting irrigation activity based on weather and soil conditions.

13. While advances in sustainability provide
opportunities for manufacturers, they can also
introduce new risks.
If a consumer is injured by a new type of packaging, or if a product
doesn’t work as intended, you could be held liable for injuries or
damages.
With deep knowledge of plastics manufacturing, Travelers can help
make sure your business is covered for your unique risks.
To learn more, contact your Travelers representative.
Did You Know?