Bioplastics holds key to future of our environmental packaging needs

Posted Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:12:00 GMT by Lucy Brake

A new study predicts the demand for bioplastic packaging material around the world is likely to grow by 25% in the next 10 years. The more traditional technologies used for creating bioplastic packaging, which are based on polyester, cellulose and starch, are forecast to decline over the period to year 2020. One of the big changes is expected to be with the introduction non-biodegradable, bio-derived polyethylene.

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New generation engine goes marine

Posted Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:19:00 GMT by John Dean

GE Aviation says that the GE38 is the most technologically-advanced turboshaft engine in its class, and has been selected to power the Sikorsky(r) CH-53K helicopter which is in development for the U.S. Marine Corps. According to GE, the engine provides 57% more power, 18% better fuel consumption and has 63% few parts than its predecessor.

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System improves US airline's flight performance

Posted Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:29:02 GMT by John Dean

American company GE Aviation has announced that it has struck a deal with Southwest Airlines for use of a flight management system which reduces the environmental impact of aircraft. GE Aviation's system TrueCourse, which provides technology for Southwest Airlines' pilots at 11 airports, is standard on Boeing 737 aircraft and allows planes to meet Required Navigation Performance (RNP). RNP is a satellite-based navigation system that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), advanced avionics, and new flight procedures.

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Plastic bag bans still face some opposition

Posted Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:02:00 GMT by Rachel England

Overview of plastic bag bans worldwide, to date. Despite criticism from Italian plastic trade groups, Italy was the first EU country to ban plastic bags (implemented at the beginning of this year), and now countries around the world are giving consideration to similar legislation.

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Coca-Cola's vending machines save the environment and the thirsty

Posted Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:25:00 GMT by Rachel England

Coca-Cola's new moss-driven eco-friendly vending machines. Coca-Cola Japan Co. announced the launch of its new eco-friendly 'green roof' vending machines towards the end of 2010. Green sheets containing a combination of a moss known as 'sunagoke' and artificial turf are fixed to the top of the company's beverage vending machines, which are hoped to lower the units' surface temperature, thereby improving the machines' cooling efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

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Banning plastic bags Italian style!

Posted Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:13:01 GMT by Paromita Pain

Italy celebrates New Year by banning single use plastic bags. Four years after it was originally proposed, Italy has enforced the ban thus becoming the first country in the European Union to ban plastic bags.

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Old carpet provides a new source of oil

Posted Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:05:30 GMT by Rachel England

Startup company, Modular Carpet Recycling (MCR), from Delaware, United States, says it has developed a process that can recycle nylon fibres from old carpet, which could save millions of barrels of oil in exports every year.

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Work on Learjet 85 targets environmental performance

Posted Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:40:37 GMT by John Dean

Bombardier Aerospace is pressing ahead with development work to improve the environmental performance of its Learjet 85 aircraft. The Canadian company has been working on composite wings that make a plane lighter and, therefore, more fuel efficient.

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Unsanitary conditions harming India's growth says World Bank report

Posted Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:01:23 GMT by Paromita Pain

A World Bank study released on December 31 has rated that poor sanitation pulls India's GDP down by 6.4% and has said that the economic loss thanks to a the lack of toilets and sanitation facilities in the country can be quantified at $54 billion. This has a severe impact on the country's economy and natural resources.

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US electric vehicle firm looks to China

Posted Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:51:00 GMT by John Dean

Fisker, the California manufacturer of electric vehicles with extended range, says it has partnered with the China Grand Automotive Group (CGA), the car trader based in China. The deal would allow Fisker to have its vehicles distributed, marketed and serviced in China; CGA has a network of more than 200 retail stores with a strong emphasis on the luxury vehicle market.

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Order placed for 'green' aero engine

Posted Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:00:00 GMT by John Dean

Airline Deutsche Lufthansa has placed a $300 million order with a US-European manufacturer for an aero engine that reduces carbon emissions. The German airline has chosen the CFM56-5B to power 21 Airbus A320 and two Airbus A321 aircraft, attracted by improvements in the engine's operating performances.

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Investment in high-speed rail makes environmental, as well as economic, sense

Posted Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:03:01 GMT by David Hewitt

As Europe's high-speed rail revolution continues apace, a new study has put a figure on the environmental benefits of train travel. The upcoming launch of a new high-speed rail service between Madrid and Valencia has, unsurprisingly, been welcomed by Madrilenos keen to escape winter chills in the Spanish capital and be lounging on a Mediterranean beach just 90 minutes later.

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The J.D. Rockefeller of Cleantech Energy

Posted Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:11:02 GMT by Simon Kent

A report from global management consultant firm A.T. Kearney has sought to identify the route to success for chemical companies in the cleantech energy sector. A report by A.T.Kearney entitled 'The Race is On' asks who will be the 'John D. Rockefeller' of clean energy supply and dominate this sector.

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US airport signs solar power deal

Posted Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:10:09 GMT by John Dean

Tucson Airport, in the United States, has agreed a deal which will allow some of its land to be used for the generation of solar power. The Tuscon Airport Authority (TAA) has approved a 20-year lease with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) for 50 acres south of the terminal to allow construction of a 5-megawatt photovoltaic array.

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Rolls Royce secures $420 million engines contract

Posted Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:05:02 GMT by John Dean

Rolls-Royce has won a $420 million contract to provide aero engines that will help Hawaiian Airlines improve its fleet's environmental performance. The company will provide Trent 700 engines for six Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft...

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The World's First Mass-Market Electric Car

Posted Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:33:05 GMT by Michael Evans

Japan's Nissan Motor company introduces the first mass-produced electric car. Nissan Motor Company has just launched the world's first mass-produced electric car. Described as a major milestone in automotive history, the zero emission Nissan Leaf...

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