Latest news with #sustainable
CTV News
16 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- CTV News
Sustainable Summer Swaps: Eco-Friendly Versions Of Products You Use Every Day
Reduce your carbon footprint with products from brands like Grosche, Lomi, Zwilling, and more. Using certain products is unavoidable. For example, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and something to drink water out of are all pretty non-negotiable items that you need. But that doesn't mean that you have to harm the environment while still stocking your house with the necessities of modern-day life. Many major companies are committed to improving the public's access to products that are made with clean ingredients, reusable, or are just simply better for the environment than what has come before them. We've scoured the web to find those companies, and their products, so that you can make some major swaps this summer, allowing you to do your part for Mother Nature. Here are a few of our favourite sustainable swaps for summer: If You're Deep Into Spring Cleaning, Here Are 15 Eco-Friendly Products Worth Adding To Your Cart Celebrate Earth Day With These 17 Eco-Friendly Essentials The Absolute Best Compost Bins You Can Get In Canada Right Now Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ormat completes Blue Mountain Nevada geothermal plant acquisition
Ormat Technologies has finalised its acquisition of the Blue Mountain geothermal power plant from Cyrq Energy, increasing its electricity segment generating portfolio to 1,268MW. The $88m deal transfers 100% equity interest in the 20MW facility, which was originally constructed with Ormat's technology. Located in the US state of Nevada, the Blue Mountain facility is currently engaged in a power purchase agreement (PPA) with NV Energy that will terminate in late 2029. In alignment with its strategic expansion plans, Ormat aims to upgrade and expand the existing geothermal plant by an estimated 3.5MW. Further enhancing its renewable energy footprint, Ormat has proposed adding a new 13MW solar installation to supply auxiliary power to the Blue Mountain site. The addition requires permits and PPA approval. Ormat Technologies CEO Doron Blachar stated: 'The acquisition of the Blue Mountain geothermal power plant enhances our portfolio and reinforces our commitment to sustainable base-load energy solutions. 'This acquisition not only immediately increases our generating capacity but also provides the potential for a significant upside in revenue generation through our planned upgrades and the potential addition of a solar facility. We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with NV Energy as we deliver reliable and clean energy to the people of Nevada.' In addition to the current acquisition, Ormat Technologies entered a hybrid tax equity partnership worth $62m with Morgan Stanley Renewables in May 2025. The financial collaboration encompasses the Lower Rio energy storage facility, which boasts a capacity of 60MW/120 megawatt hours.. Ormat is engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation, with plans to speed up long-term growth in the energy storage market. The company's existing total generating portfolio is 1,558MW with a 1,268MW geothermal and solar generation portfolio, and a 290MW global energy storage portfolio in the US, Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras and Guadeloupe. "Ormat completes Blue Mountain Nevada geothermal plant acquisition" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
21 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Solar Powers a Sustainable Energy Future on Rayonier Land
Originally published on The world's appetite for energy is growing exponentially, with each year's new electricity demands exceeding Japan's entire annual electricity consumption. In the United States alone, electricity demand is projected to rise by as much as 50 percent by the year 2040 due to growth in manufacturing, data centers and mass electrification. Amidst this surge, the need for affordable, clean energy has never been more critical. Solar energy is playing a growing role in shaping conversations about the future of sustainable energy. Why Solar is a Strategic Fit for Rayonier's Land-Based Solutions Approach With more than 2 million acres of sustainably managed U.S. forests and nearly 100 years of land stewardship, Rayonier is uniquely positioned to strengthen the U.S. energy grid through strategic solar development. Driven by our commitment to land-based solutions, we lease high-potential properties for solar energy development and storage. Our expert team collaborates closely with solar developers to optimize these projects, delivering clean energy and strengthening surrounding communities through the creation of local jobs, increased tax revenue and significant economic investment. 'Renewable energy is a good fit for Rayonier,' says Rayonier Vice President of Energy Resources Rob Fancher. 'Our timberlands provide a lot of environmental benefits, and renewable energy does the same thing. They're both very long-term, focused projects. They're both quiet, good neighbors.' Why Solar is Important to the Growing Demand for Renewable Energy On a macro level, solar energy enhances both the United States' energy independence and its pursuit of energy dominance. This reliable source of domestic power reduces the nation's need to depend on volatile global energy markets, bolstering its strategic position and global influence. Increasing U.S. energy independence also provides more price stability for both consumers and businesses. As companies strive to meet sustainability goals and reduce operating costs, locations with robust renewable energy resources are becoming increasingly desirable for new facilities. This trend is particularly evident in the advanced technology industry, including AI. The manufacturing industry is also a key driver of this shift, drawn to renewable energy's cost-effectiveness and lower emissions. What Research Shows About the Role of Solar Countless studies point to clean, renewable energy as the key to meeting energy demand and reducing the impact of CO₂ in the United States: Solar Futures StudyBloomberg's New Energy Outlook 2024International Energy Agency's Net Zero by 2050 report Rayonier's First Solar Project The first solar project on Rayonier land became operational in 2023. Longroad Energy's 150 megawatt Umbriel solar project in Polk County, Texas, delivers enough clean energy to power roughly 30,000 homes, avoiding an estimated 250,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually (the equivalent to taking 55,000 cars off the road). The project also is expected to generate about $13 million in tax revenue for the community. Project Highlights: 'Solar is the fastest-growing source of energy in the U.S.,' says Longroad Energy Vice President of Origination & Development Adam Horwitz, who led the project for Longroad. 'It's an abundant source of energy…and it's economical.' Advancements Driving Solar Forward Thanks to advances in technology in both building and generating solar power, the levelized cost of solar electricity dropped by more than 80 percent since 2008, according to this Berkeley Lab study and Lazard's 2024 Levelized Cost of Energy study. Even without national and global emissions reductions targets and federal tax incentives, market forces alone are projected to propel solar and other clean energy technologies forward. Solar is also established more quickly compared to alternatives, such as gas-powered turbines, which have a 7-8 year waiting list. How the Umbriel Project Came Together Longroad purchased about 1,900 acres of land needed for the Polk County project and leased the remaining 583 acres from Rayonier. The energy developer developed the site, found a long-term energy buyer for the solar project, secured financing, oversaw construction and brought the project into operation. Advantages of working with Rayonier on a Solar Project Working with Rayonier offers advantages to solar developers, including: Our team of experts works with the solar developer to identify ideal locations that meet their needs, buildable land at scale with access to strong power markets and transmission. The team also supports the development process by assisting with site design, layout and identification of sensitive environmental areas. Working with a single, large landowner streamlined the process for the developer, explains Longroad Landman Cody Walker: 'When you deal with multiple landowners in one area, you have different personalities, you have to manage different needs and different histories with properties to manage,' he says. 'When it's one landowner, one use, you can easily work together to make the project work for both parties.' Taking neighbors' concerns into account Cody worked closely with neighbors to ensure their concerns and expectations were taken into account during the project, as well. Kim Mueck, whose family owns nearby property, says they were at first skeptical about the project. Kim says she expected noise and traffic, but was pleased that wasn't the case after the solar project was built. 'We got Cody's number and, any time we needed anything, the weekends, the holidays, if there was a problem, they were there,' she says. 'It turned out to be a great relationship. The road to get to our own property is way better. They did leave a tree buffer there between our property and the solar farm, so you don't really see it.' 'Once the construction's done and it's here, it's just here,' she says. 'You don't see a lot of people. It's not noisy. There's not a lot of traffic. Like I said, you pass through it to get to our property, but once you're back there, you really don't know it's there.' Optimizing Land for its Greatest Sustainable Purpose The Rayonier team is trained to look carefully at all of our properties, striving to find the best possible purpose for every acre. The majority of Rayonier's land base is best suited for forestry activities, but our business development team is trained to recognize special sites and unique characteristics that are ideal for solar, wind and other critical land-based solutions. Only Select Land is Right for Solar 'As we evaluate the properties that are best for solar, we find that to be a very small percentage of our portfolio overall,' explains Rayonier Business Development Landman Jose Villarreal. Rayonier estimates that only a low, single-digit percentage of its forest land may ultimately become active solar projects. Rayonier's properties that are especially attractive to solar companies have proximity to a population in need of the energy and convenient access to power transmission infrastructure. While the recent ramp up in solar projects across the nation may seem expansive, the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Futures Study states that the most aggressive growth in solar energy development would use, at most, 10.3 million acres of land across the entire U.S. by 2050. That equates to less than 5 percent of land in all U.S. states (except for Rhode Island, which comes in at 6.5 percent). Working with Sustainability-Centric Companies to Deliver Clean Energy Rayonier uses a careful vetting process in determining which companies to work with to deliver clean energy. We choose to work with companies that, like us, put sustainability first; go well beyond the minimum standards to protect the environment; and treat our neighbors and communities with respect. Choosing the Right Partners for the Long Term 'We want to work with solar development companies that share in our core values and our long-term commitments to environmental stewardship,' says Rayonier Energy Resources Manager Zan Frederick. He says his team was pleased with the steps Longroad Energy took to protect the environment around the project site. Designing Solar Projects with a Commitment to Environmental Stewardship While the project site encompassed about 2,500 acres, only 1,300 were developed for solar, allowing Longroad to work around sensitive features, such as streams and wetlands. 'The project from the very beginning was sited and designed to avoid and protect wetlands,' says Longroad Environmental Manager Lindsey Kester. 'We had wetland ecologists survey the project area to identify those boundaries in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and then our engineers sited and designed the project to avoid those boundaries. It's a thoughtful process and it doesn't just end with a plan. We have a whole team that ensures that that plan is in compliance through construction and operation through the life of the project.' Construction of the solar project included the development of reservoirs, silt fences and other modalities to prevent impacts on wetlands and the surrounding area. The Longroad team also planted seed lots designed to ensure there will be vegetation such as flowering grasses on the ground year-round, stabilizing the soil. 'That vegetation includes native pollinator plant species that help enhance that environment and provide new habitat where wildlife can thrive,' Lindsey says. You can learn more about Longroad's approach to environmental stewardship by visiting their website here. High Standards for the Life of the Project Our solar leases typically span 30 years or more. When the projects come to a close, the developer will remove all materials, enabling us to resume use of the property for whatever its next highest and best use is, such as forestry. By leasing land for solar projects on select sites, Rayonier ensures the land will be held to the same standards we hold all of our properties to: sustainable land management that will benefit our communities and planet for many years to come. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Rayonier
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Biodegradable Microbeads Markets 2024-2035: Emerging Applications in 3D Printing, Textiles, and Food Packaging Represent Future Growth Vectors for Innovative Market Participants
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 19, 2025-- 'The Global Market for Biodegradable Microbeads 2024-2035" report has been added to offering. The Global Market for Biobased Microbeads: Market Report 2026-2036 provides critical insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of biobased microbeads from 2026 to 2036, analyzing market drivers, technological innovations, application segments, and competitive dynamics across multiple industries. Market segmentation analysis reveals significant opportunities across multiple application areas, with personal care and cosmetics leading adoption rates due to regulatory pressure and consumer demand. The market for biobased microbeads represents a rapidly evolving segment within the broader sustainable materials industry, driven by increasing environmental regulations and consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastic microbeads. These microscopic spherical particles, typically ranging from 1 to 1000 micrometers in diameter, are derived from renewable biological sources such as plant cellulose, algae, agricultural waste, and biodegradable polymers. The global biobased microbeads market has experienced significant growth following regulatory restrictions on synthetic plastic microbeads in personal care products. The agricultural and horticultural sectors present substantial growth potential for controlled-release applications, while paints and coatings, soap and detergents, oil and gas, and medical products offer diverse market entry points. Emerging applications in 3D printing, textiles, and food packaging represent future growth vectors for innovative market participants. Manufacturing technologies and processes continue to evolve, with advances in melt processing, extrusion techniques, solvent-based production methods, and emulsion and spray-drying technologies enabling improved quality control and particle size distribution. These technological developments directly impact cost competitiveness and market penetration potential across various application segments. Countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several EU nations have implemented bans on plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics due to their environmental persistence and potential harm to marine ecosystems. This regulatory landscape has created substantial opportunities for biobased alternatives that offer similar functional properties while maintaining biodegradability. The biobased microbeads market encompasses a diverse range of natural materials and biodegradable polymers, each offering unique performance characteristics and application potential. From polysaccharides like starch, cellulose, and chitin to proteins including collagen and casein, the material landscape continues to expand with innovations in polyesters such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA). Additionally, emerging materials like lignin and alginate present new opportunities for specialized applications across industries. Key applications for biobased microbeads span multiple industries, with personal care and cosmetics representing the largest market segment. These products serve as gentle exfoliants in facial scrubs, body washes, and toothpaste, providing the tactile and aesthetic properties consumers expect while addressing environmental concerns. Beyond personal care, biobased microbeads find applications in pharmaceuticals as drug delivery systems, in agriculture as controlled-release fertilizer carriers, and in industrial processes as biodegradable abrasives. The competitive landscape features a mix of established chemical companies and innovative startups developing novel biobased solutions. Major players include companies producing cellulose-based microbeads from wood pulp and cotton, while emerging technologies focus on algae-derived particles and agricultural waste conversion. Manufacturing processes typically involve controlled precipitation, spray drying, or specialized polymerization techniques to achieve desired particle size distributions and functional properties. Market growth drivers include strengthening environmental regulations, corporate sustainability commitments, and growing consumer awareness of microplastic pollution. The beauty and personal care industry's shift toward 'clean' formulations has particularly accelerated adoption. Additionally, technological advances have improved the performance characteristics of biobased microbeads, addressing early concerns about effectiveness and shelf stability. However, the market faces several challenges. Production costs for biobased alternatives typically exceed those of conventional plastic microbeads, though this gap is narrowing with scale and technological improvements. Supply chain development remains a consideration, as consistent quality and reliable sourcing of raw materials require ongoing investment. Additionally, biodegradation rates and environmental fate studies continue to be areas of active research and regulatory scrutiny. Regional market dynamics vary significantly, with Europe leading in both regulatory pressure and market adoption, followed by North America. Asia-Pacific markets show growing interest, particularly in countries implementing stricter environmental standards. The market structure includes both direct replacement of existing plastic microbeads and development of new applications leveraging unique properties of biobased alternatives. The market prospects appear robust, supported by expanding regulatory frameworks, increasing corporate environmental commitments, and continued innovation in raw materials and processing technologies. Industry analysts project sustained double-digit growth rates through the next decade, with market expansion driven by both regulatory compliance and voluntary adoption of sustainable alternatives across diverse applications. Report contents include: Key Topics Covered: 1 THE MICROPLASTICS MARKET 1.1 Microplastics added to products 1.1.1 Classification 1.1.2 Function and applications 1.2 Microplastics legislation 1.2.1 REACH 1.2.2 United States 1.2.3 Canada 1.2.4 Australia 1.2.5 Asia 1.3 Environmental Impact Assessment 1.3.1 Marine pollution and microplastic accumulation 1.3.2 Toxicological effects on marine life 1.3.3 Human health implications 2 BIOBASED MICROBEADS MATERIALS 2.1 Use as an alternative to microplastics 2.2 Biodegradation mechanisms and timeframes 2.3 Natural hard materials 2.4 Natural polymers 2.4.1 Polysaccharides 2.4.1.1 Starch 2.4.1.2 Cellulose 2.4.1.2.1 Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 2.4.1.2.2 Regenerated cellulose microspheres 2.4.1.2.3 Cellulose nanocrystals 2.4.1.2.4 Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) 2.4.1.3 Chitin 2.4.2 Proteins 2.4.2.1 Collagen/Gelatin 2.4.2.2 Casein 2.4.3 Polyesters 2.4.3.1 Polyhydroxyalkanoates 2.4.3.2 Polylactic acid 2.4.4 Other natural polymers 2.4.4.1 Lignin 2.4.4.2 Alginate 2.5 Manufacturing Technologies and Processes 2.5.1 Melt processing and extrusion techniques 2.5.2 Solvent-based production methods 2.5.3 Emulsion and spray-drying technologies 2.5.4 Quality control and particle size distribution 2.6 Regulatory Framework and Standards 2.6.1 Biodegradability testing standards (ASTM, ISO) 2.6.2 Food contact and cosmetic safety regulations 2.6.3 International certification programs 3 MARKETS FOR BIOBASED MICROBEADS 3.1 Alternatives to microplastics (1-50?m), by application and market 3.2 Likelihood of market penetration of natural microplastic alternatives, by market 3.2.1 Market penetration barriers and challenges 3.2.2 Adoption timeline and market readiness assessment 3.3 Personal care 3.3.1 Market overview 3.3.2 Applications 3.3.3 Brand adoption case studies 3.3.4 Consumer acceptance and willingness to pay 3.3.5 Total quantity of microplastics present 2024-2036 (MT), by scale 3.4 Cosmetics 3.5 Agriculture and horticulture 3.6 Paints & coatings 3.7 Soap, detergents and maintenance products 3.8 Oil and gas 3.9 Medical products 3.10 Emerging Applications 3.10.1 3D printing and additive manufacturing 3.10.2 Textile and fibre 3.10.3 Food packaging and biodegradable films 3.11 Market value analysis 3.12 Price elasticity and cost-competitiveness analysis 4 GLOBAL MARKET SIZE 4.1 Primary microparticles (volume in Metric Tons) 4.2 Biobased microbeads (MT) 5 SWOT ANALYSIS AND MARKET CHALLENGES 5.1 Strengths of biobased microbeads 5.2 Weaknesses and technical limitations 5.3 Market opportunities and growth drivers 5.4 Threats and market risks 5.5 Critical success factors for market penetration 6 PRODUCER PROFILES (40 company profiles) 7 REPORT METHODOLOGY 8 REFERENCES For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PACKAGING CHEMICALS/PLASTICS TEXTILES MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/19/2025 07:11 AM/DISC: 06/19/2025 07:10 AM
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants
BMW has developed an all-new material as a more sustainable replacement for carbon fibre, which is now ready for development and set to be used on production cars – including the new electric BMW M3 – within the next few years. Engineered in collaboration with Swiss firm Bcomp, natural-fibre composites offer similar properties to their carbon-fibre counterparts, but emit far less CO2 throughout production. Plus they can be recycled, unlike most forms of carbon-based composites. When developing such materials, the key issue was to ensure they are strong enough to be homologated for use on a car's roof; BMW says that when applied to its next-generation performance car – which we assume means the forthcoming BMW M3 EV – the usage of natural fibre coincides within a reduction of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions by 40 per cent, compared with using carbon fibre. The company says it can also help cut the usage of plastic in the interior by up to 70 per cent, too. Advertisement - Article continues below In appearance, natural fibre looks very similar to its carbon counterpart, with a distinctive weave pattern designed to replicate leaf veins, as well as a dark-grey colour. In fact, it's so similar that you may not have noticed it already being used on BMW's racing cars, including the M4 GT4 and DTM. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below As their name suggests, natural-fibre composites are made from materials such as plants or animal products. In this case, BMW and Bcomp's material is constructed using flax (a flowering plant) fibres that are grown naturally and harvested in Europe. The CEO of BMW M, Franciscus van Meel, said he was 'delighted' by the recent breakthrough, describing the new material as a 'vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport, allowing for a reduction in CO2e emissions in the manufacturing process'. 'We are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges,' he concluded. This breakthrough comes at a vital time, after the European Union recently drafted legislation to classify carbon fibre as a 'hazardous substance' as part of its ongoing End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive. This is because when carbon fibre is disposed of, the tiny particles generated can be an irritant – and even harmful – when inhaled or exposed to human skin. Such particles are also conductive, so have the potential to short-circuit machinery. However, thankfully for the automotive industry, the legislation remains at a draft stage, following the likes of Audi and Mercedes-AMG strongly submitting evidence against it. BMW also appealed to the EU, but the brand's recent investment in alternative materials does suggest it may just be a matter of time before carbon fibre disappears altogether. Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
