Making Profit from Unlikely Materials Several Sustainia100 solutions this year take green material use to a new level, producing goods from what was once only thought of as pollution, such as CO2, and from unexploited resources never before regarded as potential production inputs. In doing so, they are finding new value streams and developing exciting new ways to reach Sustainable Development Goal #12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.”
SDG in focus:
Solidia (p. 28) is drastically reducing water usage and cutting carbon emissions by up to 70% by curing concrete with CO2 instead of water. Similarly, Joule (p. 117) has already received more than $200 million from investors due to their promising efforts to use waste CO2 as a feedstock for biofuel production. We also see companies creating local jobs by using materials that were previously not part of the regular production or waste stream. For instance, adidas and Parley for the Oceans (p. 51 ) are producing 3D-printed shoes from illegally abandoned fishing nets, while CoffeeFlour (p. 38) has provided coffee farmers with a yearlong source of income by using discarded coffee cherry fruits as the main ingredient to create nutritious flour. If the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.1 As the solutions in the Sustainia100 show, capitalizing on new ways to use unexploited materials can reduce the stress on existing resources and drive growth along the way.
The global middle class is projected to grow to almost 5 billion people by 2030.4
Today, the global economy generates 50% more economic value with one metric ton of raw materials compared to the 1980s.5
The Potential Globally, 84% of consumers say they seek out responsible products whenever possible. 2 And in the EU alone, companies can gain up to $630 billion in savings by transitioning to more circular business models. 3 With a strong consumer demand, cost savings, and new revenue streams from better use of materials, the business case for ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns is clear.
United Nations. “Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.”
1
Cone Communications/Ebiquity. “2015 Cone Communications/ Ebiquity Global CSR Study.” 2015.
2
3 Ellen MacArthur Foundation. “Towards the Circular Economy”. 2013.
OECD Observer. “An Emerging Middle Class.”
4
OECD. “Material Resources, Productivity, and the Environment.” 2015.
5
Want to explore this trend? Have a look at these five solutions:
SUSTAINIA100
Pg. 28
11
Using CO2 to Make Concrete
Pg. 39
From Coffee Waste to Superfood
Pg. 51
3D-Printed Shoe Made from Ocean Plastic Waste
Pg. 117
Pg. 157
Biofuel Made Making Carpet from Waste CO2 Tile from Old and Sunlight Fishing Nets