Enabling a Circular Economy for Materials in the Consumer Goods Industry

Organizers: Thomas A. Kwan, Sustainability and Green Product Engineer, Unilever Science & Technology; Paul D. Price, Bio-Sourcing Technical Leader, Unilever Science & Technology.

Chemicals employed in home and personal care products face several distinct challenges towards implementing circular economy strategies, including dispersive use, linear lifecycles, and high volumes. Green Chemistry & Engineering, as well as regenerative agriculture and renewable feedstocks, can help address these barriers. To succeed, systems thinking and innovation are necessary drivers throughout all phases of research and development for chemicals and products alike.

This symposium will actively engage communities and stakeholders to bridge technical understanding, needs, and opportunities towards facilitating circular economy principles in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Academic, business, NPO/NGOs, government, and emerging experts are encouraged to submit session talks. All aspects of technology, cost, safety, and sustainability across materials and life cycles relevant to home and personal care goods will be considered.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the development of:

• Low cost and high-volume renewable feedstocks
• Scalable and cost-efficient processing
• Biotechnology
• Utilization of waste streams
• Chemical design for environmental, safety, and product performance
• Design for chemical end of life