Diapers

An average of 6000 diapers per child

Although every full diaper contains valuable nutrients, they are currently incinerated with household waste in huge quantities. Each child goes through about 6000 diapers before it is completely toilet trained at the age of about two and a half years. The most important elements of a conventional diaper are made of petroleum-based materials. These are outer shell of the diaper as well as the superabsorber (SAP), which absorbs and stores the liquid released.

Burger

Containing protein, vitamins and minerals

The world population is growing and resources are becoming scarce. An important contribution to food security could be breeding insects instead of cattle, pigs and poultry. Insects are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. Insects also consume significantly less resources than their four-legged counterparts.

Engine cover

Castor oil protects the engine

Components in the engine compartment of a car must be able to withstand extreme heat loads of over 200 degrees Celsius. Daimler uses biopolyamide engine covers for the Mercedes A-Class. While conventional plastic is produced from crude oil, the cover consists largely of castor oil. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant Ricinus communis, which belongs to the spurge family.

Cleaner

Straw to alcohol

Alcohol has fat and dirt dissolving properties, therefore it is particularly well suited as an additive to cleaners. In cooperation with the chemical company Clariant, the family-owned company Werner & Mertz, known for its ecological and environmentally friendly “Frosch”-products has tested the use of bioethanol based on straw in washing and cleaning agents. 

Compostable coffee capsules

For much of his career, Florian Hammerstein wanted nothing to do with coffee. The market is too closed off, the structures too immobile, and only a few high-ranking players have a real say in the future of the industry. It is thanks to his enthusiasm and courage to pursue unusual projects that Hammerstein and his company, Original Food, remain actively involved in the coffee business.

Circular economy: digitalisation could close loops

Circular or closed-loop economy is the holy grail of any sustainable economy. The idea is that no materials are being wasted and lost during production, and instead everything can and will be reused and recycled. However, although Germany has one of the most advanced waste management systems in the world, only about 14% of the raw materials used in the German industry are derived from recycling processes.