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Quick reads on the latest trends

• Case Study Unilever’s portable production line supports local demand

  To address challenges like flexibility, efficiency and sustainability, engineers from CPG manufacturer, Unilever, have created a prototype of a portable mini-production line. Built within a 40-foot shipping container, the production line is equipped to produce ready-to-sell product batches, based on local demand, in real time. Fully digitized, the miniature factory can be connected to one of Unilever’s main hubs or locations, where an employee is able to make necessary adjustments to production based on data from sensors located on the production line’s floor. Looking ahead, Unilever envisions a network of nano factories located around the world that would allow the manufacturer to not only move closer to its consumers, but also match production needs more efficiently.   

• Case Study On-demand printing solution eliminates over-production processes

  Kornit, makers of digital textile printing solutions, is partnering with e-commerce apparel marketplace, ASOS, to provide the e-tailer with on-demand 3D printing capabilities. Working with Kornit, ASOS will be able to reduce its environmental impact across its supply chain and eliminate waste through Kornit’s lower-impact production process that achieves zero water waste, while the printing solution’s on-demand mini-factory allows ASOS to also adjust production in real-time based on seasonal shifts in consumer demand. 

• Case Study Made from recycled parts, portable speaker is designed for long-term use

  Speaker manufacturer, Band & Olufsen, has recently released their Beosound Level speaker. The speaker has been built with longevity in mind with its construction including 60% post-consumer plastics and electronic internals being housed on a replaceable board that can be upgraded over time. The portable speaker includes a replaceable battery, and allows users to change the design of their speaker with interchangeable fabric and wood covers, keeping the speaker looking fresh and the owner engaged.

• Case Study Teracube offers longlife smartphone with replaceable parts

  After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Teracube has now begun to offer a smartphone that is built to last 4+ years and comes with an accordant warranty. While four years may not sound like a lot, the average smartphone is discarded after two years. The main reason for buying a new phone is loss of battery life, which Teracube overcomes by offering a replaceable battery. The $200 Android phone is made of 25% recycled polycarbonate and comes with a biodegradable case, battery and screen protector.

• Case Study Framework has created a DIY, high-end laptop

  Technology startup, Framework, is now taking pre-orders on its high-end laptop design that is built from a kit of modules that users can build and customize. Customizations include memory, storage, WiFi and OS. The company aims to provide an alternative, more sustainable option to existing high-end laptops, which are typically closed systems that can only be repaired by the manufacturer and rarely offer upgrade options allowing the computers to maintain a performance level suitable to ever enhanced software.

• Case Study Outdoor brand’s circular model repurposes material waste

  Swedish fashion brand, Fjällräven’s, Samlaren Collection is a limited edition series of classic jackets, bags and caps from unused fabric stock from the brand’s mills and factories. Looking ahead, the outdoor brand hopes to achieve zero material waste through hyper-efficient production, with the goal of rendering the upcycled collection obsolete.   

• Case Study In-house upcycling collection offers remade luxury items

  Luxury consignment brand, The RealReal, has launched its first in-house, upcycled clothing collection called ReCollection01 in partnership with fashion brands Balenciaga, Jacquemus, Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney and Simone Rocha. Damaged and discarded items from the 8 participating brands were repaired and turned into new luxury items by Atelier & Repairs. The collection features 50 unique creations. 

• Case Study IKEA & MUD Jeans partner on recycled denim project

  Dutch Denim company, MUD Jeans, has partnered with IKEA to create sofa covers made of recycled denim for the furniture manufacturer’s KLIPPAN sofa. Each sofa cover contains 40% post-consumer recycled denim, equivalent to two pairs of jeans.

• Case Study Designer collaboration results in limited-edition upcycled collection

  Fashion brand, Russell Athletics, has collaborated with DIY designer, Nicole McLaughlin, and founder of streetwear brand Public School, Dao-Yi Chow, to create a collection of garments from excess manufacturing materials from the Russell Athletics production process. The collaboration is funded by 0-1, an initiative from Chow that aims to showcase environmentally friendly products. The collection includes hoodies, bags, slides and cross-body bags.