Materials and technologies – August 2026
Responsible glassmaking: public consultation now open
ResponsibleGlass has opened public consultation on the first draft of the International Standard for Glassmaking. The global framework guides glass packaging producers through strict EU PPWR rules by setting targets for decarbonisation, lightweighting, circularity, and supply-chain governance.
Sawdust-based foam could offer a sustainable alternative to polystyrene
ACS reports that University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have created a water-resistant biopolymer foam from sawmill sawdust waste and cellulose binders. The material offers a biobased alternative to polystyrene for protective packaging and construction. The study (abstract) is published in ACS Applied Polymer Materials.
Cooking plastics into oil
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have developed a Solvothermal Liquefaction process that converts unsorted, mixed plastic waste into oil for new plastics. A pilot plant will be put to the test in Spain, processing real municipal waste.
New biodegradability standard for plastics
ASTM International has released standard D8646 to estimate how quickly non-floating plastics fully biodegrade in cold aquatic environments. It provides a reliable framework to evaluate plastic persistence in oceans without extended testing.
Wasted pumpkin peel can keep food fresh
Kyushu University scientists have converted waste pumpkin peel into carbon quantum dots to produce an antimicrobial, UV-blocking packaging film. In trials with cherry tomatoes, the coating significantly reduced moisture loss, browning, and microbial spoilage compared to conventional plastic packaging. The study (9.09 MB) is published in Food Research International.
Scaling advanced mechanical recycling of flexible plastic waste
A report by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste shows that advanced mechanical recycling can process household flexible plastic waste into high-quality recyclates suitable for 30%+ recycled content in demanding film applications. The study outlines technical blueprints and emphasises that scaling requires systemic enablers, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and mandated recycled content targets. You can download the report after filling in your details.
New route to strong, biodegradable bioplastics
Inspired by spider silk, researchers at Wageningen University , together with colleagues in Amsterdam and China, developed "plantymers" using maize protein processed to form strong, interconnected molecular structures. The resulting bioplastic is stronger than polyethylene, offers improved water resistance, and biodegrades in nature within four weeks without leaving microplastics behind. The study (2.21 MB) is published in Nature Communications.
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