Sustainability

  • Colorful single-use plastic straws
    Image attribution tooltip
    Monrudee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Researchers find PFAS in non-plastic straws, complicating sustainability efforts

    Recent studies showing the presence of forever chemicals in a range of “eco-friendly” alternatives highlight the need for third-party certifications.

    By Lela Nargi • Nov. 15, 2023
  • Broken squares of dark chocolate in a pile on a white background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dmytro Skrypnykov via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chocolate contains ‘concerning’ amounts of lead and cadmium, Consumer Reports finds

    The nonprofit found troublesome amounts of the heavy metals in 16 out of 48 products tested and called out Hershey to take action.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 10, 2023
  • Young Diverse Team of Automotive Engineers Working in Office at Car Factory. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    The Manufacturing Outlook for 2023

    Take a look at what’s ahead for the manufacturing industry this year, from a continued labor crunch to regulatory and tech upgrades, and how companies are preparing for the changing landscape. 

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
  • GE Vernova's 6 MW onshore wind turbines at a site in New York.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GE Vernova
    Image attribution tooltip
    Manufacturing across the U.S.

    Clean energy manufacturing is on the rise in New York

    The state has established multiple funding programs to entice sustainable production and development, bringing wind energy companies, appliance makers and others to the area. 

    By Sakshi Udavant • Nov. 9, 2023
  • dalton-georgia-solar-panel-facility-qcells
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Qcells
    Image attribution tooltip

    Qcells opens expanded Georgia solar panel factory

    The expansion is part of a $2.5 billion investment from the South Korea-based company to increase U.S. production capacity.

    By • Oct. 25, 2023
  • A lone hiker walks in the foreground while in the background steam and exhaust rise from a power plant on a cold winter day in Oberhausen, Germany.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Lukas Schulze via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Climate initiative to reduce apparel manufacturers’ carbon emissions

    The Sustainable Apparel Coalition launched a program with apparel manufacturers like Nike and Target to reduce companies' GHG emissions by at least 45%.

    By Howard Ruben • Oct. 19, 2023
  • Hydrogen energy storage gas tank for clean electricity solar and wind turbine facility.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Vanit Janthra via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    7 hydrogen hubs get $7B in DOE funding

    The chosen hubs span coast to coast, with each focusing on a different type of hydrogen production.

    By Emma Penrod • Oct. 16, 2023
  • 2023 Volkswagen ID.4
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Volkswagen
    Image attribution tooltip

    EVs could reach 86% of global vehicle sales by 2030

    Although EVs took roughly six years to get from 1% to 10% of global market share, it will take just six more years to reach 80% adoption, an RMI report says.

    By Eric Walz • Oct. 4, 2023
  • A group of Bangladesh residents ride bikes across a bridge which has flooding.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David Greedy/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Apparel manufacturers could lose $65B in export earnings due to climate change

    Increased flooding and extreme heat could have a sizeable financial impact on global fashion suppliers, according to a Cornell University report.

    By Laurel Deppen • Sept. 27, 2023
  • Customers browse inside an Apple Inc. store in on January 3, 2019 in Shenzhen, China.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Billy H.C. Kwok via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    More than 300 Apple manufacturers have commited to clean energy

    The device maker also released its first carbon-neutral devices as it closes on its goal of dramatically cutting emissions in its supply chain.

    By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 22, 2023
  • Steel vehicle body panels at a Mercedes-Benz assembly plant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mercedes-Benz strikes deal for US-made steel with Steel Dynamics

    The steelmaker will provide more than 50,000 metric tons of the material a year to the automaker. 

    By • Sept. 19, 2023
  • An upclose of a small pile of chopped up recycled metal laying on a white ground.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Courtesy of BASF SE.

    Image attribution tooltip

    BASF, Nanotech Energy team up to produce lithium-ion batteries with recycled metals

    The companies will also work with American Battery Technology Co. and Toda Advanced Materials to build a North America-based battery value chain.

    By • Sept. 18, 2023
  • A die is removed from a semiconductor during manufacturing.
    Image attribution tooltip
    SweetBunFactory/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    A path to more sustainable chip manufacturing

    Establishing benchmark metrics and onshoring production are key ways companies can reduce their carbon footprint.

    By Art Figueroa • Sept. 18, 2023
  • Electric vehicles at an EV charging station.
    Image attribution tooltip
    EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Southeast a ‘powerhouse’ of EV manufacturing but utility investment lags rest of nation: report

    “We're going to do a lot of education and outreach to our regulators,” said Stan Cross, electric transportation policy director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

    By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2023
  • Two workers on a farm process cranberries.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Darren McCollester via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Can New England produce 30% of its food supply by 2030?

    Regional distributors are paving the way for local resilience, but farmers and fishermen will need more support to compete against global food production supply chains.

    By Erin X. Wong • Sept. 5, 2023
  • Workers at Redwood Materials inspect used batteries for recycling.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Redwood Materials
    Image attribution tooltip

    Redwood Materials raises $1B to expand US supply chain

    The startup aims to produce 100 GWh of cathode and anode components per year by 2025.

    By Eric Walz • Sept. 5, 2023
  • A worker inspecting parabolic mirrors manufactured by Siemens.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Siemens
    Image attribution tooltip

    Siemens to manufacture solar inverters at Wisconsin facility

    The new production line at contract manufacturer Sanmina’s plant will help meet growing demand for clean energy components.

    By • Aug. 21, 2023
  • Luminalt solar installers Pam Quan moves a solar panel during an installation on the roof of a home on May 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    As demand for solar labor surges, training standards are a key focus

    The solar industry will need to triple its workforce by 2030 to meet Solar Energy Industries Association targets, requiring companies to train workers with little or no experience, according to one expert. 

    By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 21, 2023
  • A worker evaluates equipment in a manufacturing facility.
    Image attribution tooltip
    tianyu wu via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 ways manufacturers can save on energy costs

    As prices continue to rise, companies should evaluate which equipment and facilities spend the most and consider renewable alternatives.

    By Rebecca Heilweil • Aug. 15, 2023
  • A rendering of Maxeon Solar Technology's planned solar panel factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Maxeon Solar Technologies
    Image attribution tooltip

    Maxeon Solar Technologies to build $1B New Mexico solar panel factory

    The 160-acre site will be the Singapore-based company's first US facility, spurred in part by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    By • Aug. 11, 2023
  • JB Hunt BNSF containers
    Image attribution tooltip

    Provided by J.B. Hunt. 

    Image attribution tooltip

    4 supply chain insights for the second half of 2023

    Experts gave tips on economic metrics to watch and how to assess producers’ readiness to nearshore during the live event “Supply Chain Outlook: Trends and Risks To Watch."

    By • Aug. 9, 2023
  • Leila Mashouf and Neeka Mashouf of Rubi Laboratories.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walmart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart partners with biotech firm to reduce manufacturing emissions

    A test with Rubi Laboratories seeks to produce affordable apparel using carbon-capture technology.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 2, 2023
  • Vestas onshore wind turbines along Rødby Fjord in Denmark.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Courtesy of Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Image attribution tooltip

    Vestas to invest $40M in 2 Colorado factories

    The Denmark-based wind energy giant is preparing for production of its newest turbine for the U.S. market.

    By • July 26, 2023
  • food tech science AI
    Image attribution tooltip
    Amorn Suriyan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How AI is driving supply chain advancements for food manufacturers

    CPG companies can use the technology to see which investments are most effective — particularly with product development and sustainability.

    By Chris Casey • July 25, 2023
  • Wide shot of the exterior of Nova Chemicals' facility in Connersville, Indiana.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Nova Chemicals
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nova Chemicals collaborates on plant to make recycled polyethylene

    Partner Novolex will operate the Indiana facility, which is expected to open in early 2025.

    By Katie Pyzyk • July 24, 2023
  • A sign labeled Pennsylvania College of Technology at one of the school's entrances.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pennsylvania College of Technology
    Image attribution tooltip

    Feds award $2M to Penn College for workforce development

    The college will match the investment, creating a $4 million budget for initiatives such as construction to add capacity for worker training programs.

    By • July 19, 2023