product development

By Year


Judging Books by Their Covers

When it comes to new manufacturing materials, beauty is more than skin deep.

If you had two identical products side by side, yet one was made with sustainable materials and the other not, would you consider one more attractive than the other? We’re not discussing price yet…

This is a question that many designers and manufacturers are asking these days based on the rising environmental awareness movement. Consumers are growing in consciousness and in turn are changing their buying habits. By exploring the capabilities of the latest technology and available materials, designers and manufacturers are building new markets with “green-minded” products that look good and are good for you, and everybody else in that case.

From faux stone countertops made out of paper pulp to rugged and reusable moving boxes made from shampoo bottles removed from landfills; there are businesses starting up everyday focusing on using materials that are “more than meets the eye.”

Hold on, we still have to look into the fine print because there are many companies that practice bad habits and have their marketing department “greenwash” their products to look attractive to green-minded buyers. Either way you look at it, both consumers and designers have their homework to do to find the best fit.

Here at Nectar we like to say, “Finding the right material for the right product — priceless.” -DH

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