R&D/Patents

Latest

Patents

WIPO posts Colgate-Palmolive patent application for personal-care product such as electric toothbrush that may include a treating portion configured to clean one or more teeth of a user: Publication No. WO/2022/108643
U.S. Fed News (06/07)

WIPO shares L'Oreal patent application for transparent anhydrous composition for caring for a keratin material: Publication No. WO/2022/104728
U.S. Fed News (06/07)

Henkel's US patent application for Process Of Dyeing Keratinous Material Comprising The Use Of An Organosilicon Compound, Two Color-Imparting Compounds And A Film-Forming Polymer published online: USPTO 20220142893
Chemicals & Chemistry Business Daily (06/07)

WIPO shares P&G patent application for digital imaging and learning systems and methods described for analyzing pixel data of an image of a hair region of a user's head to generate one or more user-specific recommendations: Publication No. WO/2022/109096
U.S. Fed News (06/07)

Changsha Sansi New Material Technology files Chinese patent for high-strength biodegradable packaging paper, preparation method for it; paper contains modified polyesteramide for better biodegradability after being buried: Publication No. CN112941950(A)
Packaging & Containers Patent News (06/07)

Hangzhou Zhixi Tech files Chinese patent for antibacterial, puncture-resistant, biodegradable packaging bag, preparation method thereof; bag is made with polylactic acid, is low-cost to make, has long antibacterial period: Publication No. CN112940474(A)
Packaging & Containers Patent News (06/07)

IP receives US patent for crosslinked pulps, cellulose ether products made therefrom, related methods of making both: Patent No. 11,352,748
U.S. Fed News (06/07)

Research and Development (R&D)

University of British Columbia researchers develop method to convert by-product of pulp making into plastics such as nylon; method uses bacteria to ferment aromatic compounds in lignin
CTV News Saskatoon (06/07)

Avon will focus developments on products to brighten skin, improve textural irregularities to address lack of natural light, vitamin D; skin-care research director notes consumer demand is rising for simple and effective products with scientific formulas
Avon Products Inc. (06/07)

University of Maine engineers create grease-proof, water-resistant foodservice container from wood composites and a coating made of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils; container can be recycled without health risks imparted by plastic coatings, PFAS
University of Maine (06/07)

Gerdau Graphene, a nanotechnology firm, develops next generation of graphene-enhanced plastics in Brazilian government-funded advanced materials center in São Paulo; PP and PE materials are being piloted in a series of industrial applications
GlobeNewswire (06/07)

Oregon community college students do boots-on-the-ground timber cruise on private land to determine volume, estimate a value for timber; team sought advice from RMS forestry consultant in Roseburg, who helped with mapping, marking desired plot locations
The Astorian (06/07)

Geospatial science expert at University of Arkansas-Monticello's College of Forestry is using drone, LiDAR to monitor campus forest's health; UAM flies a US$60,000 DJI Matrice 300 RTX to assess conditions of university's 1,080 acres of forest
The Batesville Daily Guard (06/07)

USPTO releases Daio Paper's patent application for absorbent article configured to quickly absorb a body fluid into an absorber to prevent/suppress roughness of wearer's skin: Application No. 17/435464
Sanitation Patent News (06/07)

New Market/Market Expansion

Euromonitor: Top food trends from 2022 National Restaurant Assn. Show include new textures and flavors in savory snacks like Sweet Maui Onion and Argentinian Chimichurri, continued rise of plant-based alternatives with focus on seafood, chicken and dairy
Euromonitor International Ltd. (06/07)

Diptyque releases La Droguerie, its first household-care line; five-product line includes multi-surface cleaner, dishwashing liquid, leather and wood-care polishing lotion with beeswax, reusable cedar wood and lavender-scented oval, odor-absorbing candle
Vogue (06/07)

Gelo launches Hand Washes pods at Walmart Canada, offering its Foaming and Gel Hand Soaps in Sea Mist and Lemon scents; pods have concentrated cleansers, naturally derived ingredients and essential oils, can be used with reusable hand soap bottles, water
PR Newswire (06/07)

KMO Burger, affiliated with NFL star Patrick Mahomes, to open its first Whataburger in Kansas City, Kansas, which will be fifth location in the area; KMO plans to open 30 stores over next seven years, spanning from Wichita, Kansas, to St. Joseph, Missouri
San Antonio Express-News (06/07)

South Korean bio-cosmetics brand Modamoda Shampoo will open its brand shop online at Walmart; brand also preparing to launch offline stores following launch of its online stores within Walmart
Canada Newswire (06/07)

DuckyWorld Products partners with Pet Palette Distribution to distribute over 50 of its Yeowww! Catnip product lines, as well as a rotation of limited-edition seasonal products; toys are handmade in US from cotton twill fabric and contain organic catnip
Pet Age (06/07)

Lineage Logistics expands its D2C Fulfillment solution to e-commerce for perishable customers, offering two-day ground shipping within the continental US; company recently acquired e-commerce order fulfillment service Perishable Shipping Solutions
Business Wire (06/07)

New Strategy/Strategic Change

Ford to move to 100% online, fixed-price sales for EVs with remote pick-up and delivery and cut back EV advertising CEO says; Ford spends an estimated US$2,000 more per car on distribution costs than Tesla according to CEO
Car and Driver (06/06)

Kumho Petrochemical to invest US$4.8B in existing and new growth businesses, including electric vehicle materials and biotechnology, over the next five years
Yonhap News Agency (06/06)

Chevrolet cuts price on 2023 Bolt EV by up to US$6,300 to prioritize affordability, with Bolt EV pricing starting at US$26,595; car maker reduced the price of the 2022 Bolt EV last year by US$5,500 from the price of 2021 model
Green Car Reports (06/03)

Awards & Recognition

Lindt & Sprungli wins Most Innovative New Product Award in chocolate category at 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo for company's first-ever non-dairy offering, the Classic Recipe Oat Milk Chocolate Bars
PR Newswire (06/06)

Constantia Flexibles wins silver 2021 Packaging Innovation Awards from Dow for its EcoLamHighPlus coffee bag produced in Spain and for its EcoLamHighPlus confectionery packaging produced in India; EcoLamHighPlus is a high barrier monomaterial PE laminate
Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH (06/06)

GE Digital recognized as a leader in 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for its Proficy Smart Factory software solution; recognition confirms GE’s ability to deliver improved efficiency, higher quality and reduced waste to manufacturers, says company official
ForeignAffairs.co.nz (06/03)

Strategic Factory wins nine Excellence in Print Awards from Printing & Graphics Assn. MidAtlantic, which supports commercial printers, engravers, embossers, binders, finishers, designers in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington, Southern Pennsylvania
WhatTheyThink (06/03)

Midea's V8 VRF Air Conditioner awarded three Tick-Mark certificates from quality assurance provider Intertek after its launch in Dubai; certification recognizes product's arbitrary topology high reliability, temperature stable operation, energy efficiency
Canada Newswire (06/03)

FMC's Accudo biostimulant recognized with Best Biostimulant Product award at 2022 World BioProtection Awards; product is a microbial biostimulant and strong root colonizer that supports crop yield
PR Newswire (06/02)

Fiberon's Wildwood PE composite cladding selected as a 2022 Green Builder Sustainable Product of the Year; made from 94% mixed recycled wood fiber and plastic content, Wildwood features an open-joint profile, is available in several board lengths, widths
PR Newswire (06/01)

Material Substitution

Fisher International: Some companies aiming to shift from plastic/foam trays, cups and plates are eyeing formed fiber as sustainable alternative; Stora Enso among companies expanding formed fiber's capabilities, using it in food packaging like bowls, lids
Fisher International Inc. (06/07)

Scientists create artificial nacre--the iridescent component of mollusk shells--made from silk fiber protein; nacre material can replace plastics for structural engineering, biomedical use, exhibits 'superior' strength, toughness compared to natural nacre
Advanced Fiber Materials (06/07)

Nanjing Jiexiexing Packaging files Chinese patent for filmless waterproof corrugated packaging carton; invention resolves problems with traditional corrugated packaging when weakened by rain, moisture: Publication No. CN112938087(A)
Packaging & Containers Patent News (06/06)

UK-based bread subscription service Earth & Wheat switches to home-compostable packaging bags from Treetop Biopak; the water-resistant packaging is designed to start decomposing after 12 weeks before biodegrading fully over 12 months
MarketLine (06/03)

South African retailer Checkers, owned by Shoprite, replaces its rotisserie chicken packaging with fully recyclable, responsibly sourced paperboard boxes; move will prevent 68 tons of non-recycled multilayer laminated material from landfill/year
BusinessReport (06/03)

Driscoll's replaces plastic buckets for its blueberries with fully recyclable paperboard packaging by Netherlands-based Remmert Dekker Packaging that contains 98% less plastic; the only plastic is for a window, which can be easily removed before recycling
Fresh Plaza (06/03)

Nestle Malaysia adopts rPET for its ready-to-drink products in plastic bottles format; company also replaces single-use plastic shrink wrap with paper for its MILO UHT 125ml products and is working to extend the innovation to rest of its UHT range
Contify Retail News (06/02)

Material Reduction

Biotechnology startup Mori, conceived by MIT researcher, aims to develop edible coating that extends food shelf life, prevents bacterial contamination, reduces need for packaging; coating is based on edible fibroin protein from silk industry by-products
Biofuels Digest (06/07)

UK retailer Iceland switches to Coveris’ MonoFlexBE fully recyclable PE monolaminate pouches from mixed nylon laminate pouches for its grated cheese; the MonoFlexBE pouches use 1g less of plastic per pack
Coveris Holdings S.A. (06/02)

Product Safety

DuPont reformulates its Thermax polyisocyanurate insulation to remove halogenated flame retardants, part of company's 'safer-by-design' strategy; new Thermax Non-Halogen Series products are polyiso, Class A, non-halogen and LBC Red List Approved products
PR Web (06/07)

Locomation issues voluntary safety self-assessment to US DOT for testing of its autonomous trucking tech; company states its human-in-the-loop convoying system is safe for pre-deployment testing on public roads and is federally and state compliant
Targeted News Service (Press Releases) (06/02)

Embark Trucks partners with the Texas Dept. of Public Safety to develop emergency vehicle interaction capabilities; Embark-powered trucks expected to be able to comply with law enforcement requests and pull over onto the highway shoulder for traffic stops
GlobeNewswire (06/02)

Toyota introduces Cabin Awareness concept that uses millimeter-wave, high-resolution 4D imaging radar to detect occupants in cars; system senses micromovements such as heartbeat, motion, respiration of occupants in three rows, cargo area, footwells
Toyota Motor Corp. (06/01)

New Feature/Product Update

Farmer Focus updates package design to attract consumers to its organic chicken, while highlighting differentiated brand values; packaging features QR code to make it easy to trace every package of chicken back to farm where it was raised
Globe Newswire (06/07)

Beyond Meat launches newest versions of its plant-based Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef, now available in Canada; new, juicier products contain 45% less saturated fat than regular ground beef, no cholesterol, soy, gluten or GMOs, offer 20g, 18g of protein
Canada Newswire (06/07)

Westlake Royal Building Products adds five nature-inspired colors to Royal Siding and Exterior Portfolio vinyl siding lines; new colors in tones of gray, blue-gray, brown and green reflect latest trends in modern exterior home design
Business Wire (06/07)

Glen Scotia revamps primary and secondary packaging for its standard and premium whisky ranges; new look incorporates bolder shades of gold, deep aqua and emerald green, depicting the colors of Scotland, Campbeltown's seafaring roots and leafy coastlines
Packaging News (06/06)

Cloud-based transport management platform Princeton TMX announces new rail capabilities for truckload, intermodal and LTL modules for a seamless, automated experience; updates include rail freight audit and payment with demurrage and shipping visibility
PR Web (06/06)

Onyx Graphics releases version 22 of its RIP, workflow software that implements drag-and-drop interface to allow job files to be dropped into Quick Set window where settings, job parameters can be set automatically, prepares work for flatbed, DTG output
Whitmar Publications (06/06)

Frozen Greek yogurt brand Yasso's refreshed packaging features food photography spotlighting the brand's flavors, utilizes a color system to unify innovation platforms; refreshed Yasso logo is encased in an electric, dripping blue at the top of the carton
PR Newswire (06/06)

Patent Expirations/ Application Cessations

K-C's Australian patent for 'Dispenser for sheet material' ceases: Application No. 2002352499
Australian Government (06/03)

Suntory Holdings' Australia Patent for 'Tea beverage containing amino acid at high concentration' Ceases: Patent Application No. 2010316231
Australian Government (06/03)

New Products/Services

Mexico-based freighter airline mas adds new services between Mexico City to China, with a yearly capacity of over 18,000 tonnes/year; carrier aims to grow its network by up to 150% this year
Airguide Business (06/07)

General Mills drives organic growth through innovation by deploying 'tiger teams' to identify consumer problems then develop, test solutions-oriented products that could take CPG giant into new segments; innovation complements 'always on' approach to M&A
FoodNavigator-USA.com (06/06)

Starface launches Clear as Day Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46, its first skin-care product; gel formula sunscreen is made with non-comedogenic ingredients and has smooth, clear finish
Hypebae (06/06)

Steinbeis Papier enters label paper segment, launches Steinbeis Label Wet, made from 100% recycled paper and Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel certified; wet-strength, alkali-resistant label paper suitable for wet glue, hot melt adhesive, self-adhesive applications
Steinbeis Papier GMBH (06/01)

Avient launches new family of Versaflex thermoplastic elastomer materials for fatty food contact applications such as food containers, kitchenware; Versaflex products offer alternative to silicone rubber with easier processing, company says
Avient Corp. (06/01)

Products & Services

France-based SGD Pharma now offering its Constellations stock range of glass cosmetics packaging to customers globally; range includes solutions of different sizes for a variety of beauty products, as well as custom designs and shapes
SGD SA (06/07)

Gatik to automate part of the Georgia-Pacific and KBX network in Dallas-Fort Worth to deliver to 34 Sam's Club sites, starting July 2022; move represents first time class 6 autonomous trucks deploy to disrupt short-haul routes served by class 8 trucks
Business Wire (06/07)

Executive Perspective: Molson Coors to 'break through' in new flavored-alcohol beverages, develop products, flavors that reach more people, especially diverse consumers, says VP of innovations; pandemic fueled consumer interest in flavored alcohol drinks
Molson Coors Brewing Co. (06/06)

Byredo reissues one of its popular fragrances, Mister Marvelous, with campaign starring NFL champion Odell Beckham Jr. as new face of the fragrance; scent boasts notes of mandarin leaves, neroli, bergamot, bamboo, lavender, amber and cedar wood
Hypebae (06/06)

Land O'Lakes launches cheese products in Wisconsin, with seven new products now available in dairy case section of select grocery retailers; Wisconsin dairy farmers supply milk that is shipped to Land O'Lakes' Kiel, Wisconsin, cheese plant
PR Newswire (06/06)

DB Cargo to deliver battery modules and cells for Audi to Brussels from Hungary by rail, replacing manufacturer's traditional trucking transport, which will lower CO2 emissions by 2,600 tons/year; company already serves Audi's Austria and Germany routes
Contify Automotive News (06/03)

Plant-based skin-care brand Pangea launches at Goop as part of The Goop List, a new initiative to spotlight clean beauty; products include De-Stress Foaming Cleanser, Pore Purifying Peptide Toner, Peptide-Rich Eye Cream, moisturizer, body wash and lotion
Happi (06/03)

 Bioeconomy

 IR & ESG

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: Edgewell Personal Care 2021Sustainability Report
Edgewell Personal Care Co. (06/07)

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: IFF 2021 ESG Report
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) (06/06)

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: Hershey 2021 ESG Report
The Hershey Co. (06/03)

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: Albemarle 2021 Sustainability Report
Albemarle Corp. (06/03)

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: Yatsen 2021 ESG Report
Yatsen Holding Ltd. (06/02)

Sustainability & Social Responsibility: FMC 2021 Sustainability Report
FMC Corp. (06/02)

 Sustainability

FMC receives ACC recognition as Responsible Care Company of the Year; award recognizes excellence and leadership in environmental, health, safety and security performance
PR Newswire (06/07)

WhatTheyThink: Brands, retailers, consumers showing more interest in reusable packaging, ranging from Coca-Cola's initiative to hit 25% reusable packaging across its portfolio by 2030 to Loop's 'milkman model' that delivers products but takes back package
WhatTheyThink (06/07)

Coca-Cola India says it is hopeful of achieving 100% recovery and recycling of post-consumer packaging, mainly bottles and cans, in next 2-3 years as part of its 'World Without Waste' initiative
Mint (06/07)