Industry Overview & Market Opportunities
The low carbon products industry is focused on producing and delivering goods and services in ways that minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), as compared to conventional alternatives. This industry encompasses a variety of sectors, including energy, manufacturing, construction materials, and transportation. The primary aim is to lower the carbon footprint throughout a product’s lifecycle.
There are some key processes that help define the low carbon products industry:
- Use of renewable energy – onsite power generation through renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, or hydro.
- Energy efficiency – continual improvement of energy use throughout manufacturing processes to minimize waste and energy loss.
- Sustainable materials – utilization of materials that have a lower carbon footprint such as recycled inputs, bio-based materials, or carbon neutral composites.
- Lifecycle impact – evaluation and calculation of a product’s total carbon emissions throughout its entire life cycle, this is from sourcing of materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end of life disposal. A cradle to grave approach.
The focus of this industry overview is on the sustainable materials markets and opportunities. The additional processes related to the low carbon products industry – renewable energy, energy efficiency, and lifecycle impact – are covered in other industry overviews.
The sustainable materials market is seeing significant growth globally and in the United States. Estimates put this markets value around $375 billion and a projected growth rate of 12% through 2032. This is driven largely by demand for sustainable building and construction products across the United States.
Manufacturers can play a key role in expanding the industry as consumer demand increases. Key areas of opportunity include:
- Manufacturing closed loops systems that can be recycled or repurposed at end of life
- Expanding production of sustainable building materials using inputs such as wood or plant-based materials.
- Production of recycled materials or higher content materials using recycled materials.
- Adoption of technologies to reduce waste, lean manufacturing, 3D printing, and other advanced technologies utilizing AI
Trade Associations
- Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) – http://www.recycledmaterials.org
The leading U.S. association for recycling and the circular economy, representing 1,700 companies in metals, plastics, paper, electronics, and more. - Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA) – www.amgta.org
Focused globally on sustainable practices in additive (3D) manufacturing. - Pennsylvania Forest Products Association (PFPA) – www.pfpa.org
Represents all sectors of PA’s forest products industry, including sustainable forestry and manufacturing of wood products. - Association of Ohio Recyclers (AOR) – www.ohiorecycles.org
Promotes sustainable materials management and circular economy in Ohio. - Sustainable Ohio By-Product Synergy Network – http://www.sojo.us/by-product-synergy-network
Connects businesses to upcycle and repurpose by-products. - New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) – www.nysar3.org
Statewide advocacy for recycling, reuse, and sustainable materials.
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