Synaptic Connections Newsletter 2019 Week#14

April 1, 2019 www.Synapticpackaging.com Image - Mountain flower along a stream, Montana

Week#14 of 2019 Good morning!  Well, it is April 1st - so, be warned of pranksters, and welcome to the second quarter of 2019.  I hope your year is off to a good start.

Today, we are continuing with the dialogue on disruptive innovation advancing packaging sustainability.  Last week, we explored the basic attributes of disruptive innovation and highlighted some of the key characteristics.  Further, we closed with some signal phrases that indicate an increased business risk for disruptive innovation.

Sometimes, an example can tell a million words and for brevity in this BLOG, let's use this simple example.  Have a look at these images below.... remember these?

At first glance, these images are fun memories and we take pride in our advances and accomplishments in technology - as we should.

Now, look at these images and imagine yourself as the Product Manager in charge of this category within your company.  You are accountable for the P&L, you have a full team of people and a factory supporting your efforts with daily meetings and deliverables.  Did you see the change coming?  If so, how did you respond?  This example demonstrates how challenging it is for incumbents to see, acknowledge and respond to disruptive innovation from within.  

In closing, think about this example in the context of sustainability.  Do you see the change coming?  How is your company preparing to respond?

Have a great week and enjoy the news articles below!

Packaging Sustainability//

• Kuraray launches bio-based, high-barrier, flexible package laminate

• 170 UN member states put forward Sustainability Development Goals by 2030 with focus on single-use plastics

• Corbion, supplier of lactic acid for PLA, acquires Brazil bio-tech firm Granotec for $45 million

• European Parliament approves single-use plastics ban on highly targeted items

ReThink Waste//

• Dubai opens world’s largest e-waste recycling center

• Further data on AI Smart Trash study on food waste

• Private entrepreneur funds “Curb-to-Market” waste recycling challenge in NYC w/ $500K investment

• Profitability or Sustainability?  It Doesn’t Have to be a Choice

• China seeking faster technology transfer and investments to bolster local recycling

Emerging Energy//

• Google, GM, Walmart and other corporate giants join Renewable Energy Buyers alliance to support development of clean energy

• Florida utility to close two natural gas plants and build massive solar installation

• Hydrogen fuel cells getting renewed interest for powering shipping vessels

Upcoming Trade Events//

April

1-4 April, BioCycle West, Portland, OR 1-4 April, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Seattle, WA 3-5 April, Paperboard Packaging Council, Cornado, CA 8-10 April, Smithers Pira, Specialty Papers, Berlin, Germany 9 -11 April, ICE International Converting Expo, Louisville, KY

[Click Here for free registration to the ICE Conference] 17 - 19 April, Food Service Packaging Institute, Sonoma, CA 22-26 April, Materials Research Society, Phoenix, AZ

May 5-8 May, PaperCon, Indianapolis, IN 6-9 May, WasteExpo, LasVegas, NV 7-10 May, HOW Design, Chicago, IL 13-19 May, ISTA Forum, Denver, CO 21-22 May, Private Label Manufacturers Association, Amsterdam

The purpose of this newsletter is to stimulate innovative thoughts and constructive dialogue through the lens of sustainability.  New subscribers can send an e-mail to the link below to sign-up. 

Contact Us

gary.robinson@synapticpackaging.com