It is known that plastic water bottles are a significant source of environmental pollution. Can they be redesigned so that less material is wasted in the process of making them?
Unicer, the owner of the brand Vitalis, a well-known water brand in Portugal, faced this challenge.
The initial solution that came up is to strengthen the bottle with horizontal supports, which will allow for a general reduction of material, but this design has an industrial look, while the company is targeting a dynamic, sporty and young market, and it was important for it to maintain a modern and non-industrial look. In order to look for another solution, the company turned to the Innovation Lab Logoplast Please help develop an innovative water bottle. The definition of the challenge included redesigning the bottle so that it would be the lightest bottle on the market, with a reduced environmental impact, but adapted to the current product line and the company's modern positioning.
The Logoplaste innovation laboratory adopted the biomimicry methodology to solve the challenge, and turned to look for solutions in nature. One of the solutions identified as interesting, following the comprehensive research carried out by the company, is the principle of the spiral growth of fibers in wood from the conifer family (Pinus albicaulis Engelm), which gives strength to the wood.
Helical structure is one of the repeating structures in nature, and is identified as a structure that produces strength. Our blood arteries, for example, are made of collagen with a helical structure, which gives strength to the artery against the pressure of the flowing blood. A spiral structure is also a repeating structure in nature associated with load reduction. Based on a spiral growth model, the body of the bottle was redesigned to include a helical structure with a variable inclination angle according to the horizontal and vertical strength needed on a certain curved surface. This strength allows for an overall reduction of material. Simulations showed that the new structure is more effective in reducing weight than the traditional structure, and strengthened this direction of development. The product is the lightest plastic bottle on the market today, which preserves the strength of the container. The total raw material used to produce this bottle decreased by 7%.
In addition, the innovative design provides a modern and fresh look and helps maintain the company's market share. The brand is currently exported to Europe, North Africa and South America and plays an important role in positioning Unicer as an innovative company and in realizing its sustainability strategy.
One response
For 7 percent - I would not allow this article. 7 percent is more PR than a solution to environmental pollution.