Page 56 - Plastics News October 2019

PRODUCT NEWS

The Clorox Company Anticipates Covestro developing 3D printed

Cost Savings from Sustainable orthopedic insoles made from

Packaging Plan TPU

he Clorox Company plans to produce cost savings with erman chemical company Covestro has revealed
Tnew sustainable packaging targets introduced this Gthe first details about a new application for
ZHHN 2Q :HGQHVGD\ WKH FRPSDQ\ GHWDLOHG DQ RYHUDUFKLQJ its TPU material for additive manufacturing: 3D
business strategy that incorporates several ESG goals. By printed orthopedic insoles for shoes. The company
2025, the consumer goods manufacturer seeks to make all will be showcasing a prototype of the customizable
LWV SDFNDJLQJ UHF\FODEOH UHXVDEOH RU FRPSRVWDEOH insoles at the upcoming K 2019 plastics trade fair in
Düsseldorf. The material used to produce the insoles
is Covestro’s TPU for 3D printing, a thermoplastic
materials with tunable flexibility and hardness.
“Thermoplastic polyurethane is the material of choice
for this application thanks to its favorable range of
properties,” explained Patrick Rosso, Head of Additive
Manufacturing at Covestro. “In particular, our TPU
products cover a wide range of hardness. The hardness
can also be adjusted by changing the printing structure.
This allows manufacturers to print shoe insoles that are
completely custom-made—with hard or soft contact
$QG E\ WKH\ DLP WR UHGXFH YLUJLQ SODVWLF DQG ÀEHU areas.” Covestro is not working alone on its insole
LQ SDFNDJLQJ E\ 7KH FRPSDQ\ KDV QHW VDOHV RI initiative: it has partnered with an unnamed company
billion and owns brands such as Glad, Kingsford, Pine-Sol, to test various sole designs to determine which are the
409, Scoop Away, Brita, Fresh Step, Burt’s Bees, Hidden easiest to print and the most durable. Early tests have
Valley Ranch, Liquid Plumr, and Clorox. “Sustainability showed promising results on both fronts. In addition to
unlocks cost savings,” their presentation said. One EHLQJ PRVW HIÀFLHQW WR SURGXFH ' SULQWHG LQVROHV FDQ
example: switching from a cardboard carton to a paper also be more comfortable than traditional ones. That
wrap for Glad bags to reduce waste. “[The] opportunity is, many conventional insoles are made by forming
is big — 300 million pounds of recycled and renewable or machining rigid foam blocks which have limited
ÀEHU EDVHG SDFNDJLQJ µ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH PDQXIDFWXUHU EUHDWKDELOLW\ :LWK ' SULQWLQJ KRZHYHU SRURXV
structures could be designed to improve breathability
In addition to rethinking packaging, Clorox’s executives
say they want to reduce or eliminate water in products.
&RPSDFWLQJ EOHDFK ZRXOG FXW WKHLU XVH RI ZDWHU E\
FRUUXJDWH E\ DQG SODVWLF E\ WKH FRPSDQ\ VDLG
Clorox’s presentation indicated that a new supply chain for
Fresh Step and Scoop Away litter reducing transportation
should eliminate around 7 million over-the-road miles,
1 million gallons of diesel fuel, and 23,000 metric tons
of carbon dioxide equivalent. The company’s business
strategy includes compensation awards for the Clorox
executive committee, including its chair and CEO, that are and comfort.“Thermoplastic polyurethane is the
tied to elements of the ESG goals.Laura Stein, executive material of choice for this application thanks to its
vice president, general counsel and corporate affairs, said favorable range of properties,” says Patrick Rosso,
that a broad spectrum of stakeholders increasingly expects Head of Additive Manufacturing at Covestro. “In
companies to lead in driving positive environmental, particular, our TPU products cover a wide range
social, and ethical change while also delivering value. of hardness. The hardness can also be adjusted by
changing the printing structure.

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