- Challenge engages next generation in rethinking the plastics
value chain
- Finalists will present at a virtual showcase that will be
broadcast at NPE2024, the largest plastics
tradeshow in the Americas
- Inaugural competition drew more than 150 participants from
13 countries
BATESVILLE, Ind. and OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 11,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI),
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), and Net Impact are hosting the
second Circular Plastics Case Competition, which encourages
emerging business professionals to rethink the plastics value chain
by designing innovative solutions that help keep plastics in the
economy and out of the environment.
Designed to foster innovation and champion sustainability, the
competition invites participants to collaborate and generate
industry-shifting ideas to increase the supply of post-consumer
recycled material, or PCR. This year, the case competition will
prompt participants to explore how to increase the supply of rPET,
or recycled polyethylene. PET or polyethylene is a versatile
material used for the packaging of food, beverages, cosmetics, and
household products. Focusing on turning PET into rPET helps create
a more circular economy by using plastic that has already been
produced and helps solve the current supply challenges with rPET as
it is not keeping pace with demand due to low recycling rates.
Submissions are due in March, and in May, finalists will present
virtually at a showcase that will be broadcast during
NPE®, which draws more than 55,000 leaders from over 110
countries representing every industry—from automotive to healthcare
to consumer products to construction and more. The first-place
winner will be awarded $10,000,
followed by $2,500 for second place,
and $1,000 for third place.
"Plastics are essential to our economy and will continue to play
an important role in our future, making it crucial to concentrate
on enhancing sustainability within the plastics value chain. rPET
is an appealing material because it can significantly reduce the
carbon footprint in comparison to creating new plastic, and it can
be recycled and transformed into other products throughout its
lifespan," said Kim Ryan, President
and CEO of Hillenbrand. "We initiated this competition to engage
the next generation to think creatively and develop solutions that
promote a circular plastics economy. Our partnership with Net
Impact has been invaluable in driving progress. I was inspired by
the innovative ideas presented during the first challenge and am
looking forward to seeing how this year's participants build on the
momentum to make an impact."
Hillenbrand and Net Impact developed the Circular Plastics
Case Competition concept in 2022 and held the first competition in
Spring 2023 to engage future leaders in reshaping the responsible
lifecycle management of plastics. Net Impact inspires, equips,
and activates emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable
world. With over 130,000 members in more than 300 chapters at
colleges, universities, and local communities worldwide, Net Impact
takes on social challenges, protects the environment, develops new
concepts and approaches, and leverages the tools of business toward
the greater good. In short, Net Impact helps people turn their
passions into a lifetime of world-changing action.
Hillenbrand and Coca-Cola will guide the topic and goals of the
competition, and Net Impact will facilitate the competition by
bringing together its global network of social impact and
sustainability leaders to address the challenge.
"The conversation around making a circular economy for plastics
is dynamic and incredibly exciting, and this program brings
emerging professionals into that conversation by allowing them to
grapple first-hand with the complex questions that sustainability
practitioners are facing today," Karen
Johns, CEO of Net Impact, said. "Program participants will
learn about material circularity, life cycle analysis, and
responsible supply chain management and learn to think like a
sustainability manager at a large corporation today."
"We are excited to once again collaborate with Hillenbrand and
Net Impact in hosting the second Circular Plastics Case
Competition. Last year's event was truly inspiring, providing a
platform for emerging business professionals to re-imagine the
plastics value chain and develop forward-thinking solutions that
keep plastics in circulation," said Kurt
Ritter, Vice President & General Manager,
Sustainability, Coca‑Cola North America. "By focusing this year's
challenge on rPET, we hope to unearth innovative strategies to
increase the supply and overcome the present restraints. This
competition symbolizes our commitment to fostering innovation and
sustainability, and I am confident that the unique perspectives and
resourceful ideas of the participants will help us advance a more
circular and sustainable economy."
More information about the 2024 Circular Plastics Case
Competition, including participant applications, can be found at
netimpact.org/programs/circular-plastics-challenge.
About Hillenbrand
Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global
industrial company that provides highly-engineered,
mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in
over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of
leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets,
including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our
Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence,
collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that
best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other
stakeholders. To learn more, visit www.Hillenbrand.com.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola
Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold
in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company's purpose
is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple
billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide.
Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola,
Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include
Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo
Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice,
value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute
Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle,
fairlife and AdeS. We're constantly transforming our portfolio,
from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new
products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives,
communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging
recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions
reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling
partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring
economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at
www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us
on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About Net Impact
Over 30 years Net Impact has built a
diverse community in 40+ countries committed to using business to
advance social and environmental action. Net Impact mobilizes its
global community of more than 100,000 emergent change agents to
leverage their careers to drive transformational environmental and
social change. Through a strategic set of initiatives aimed to
engage and benefit its core stakeholders, Net Impact is committed
to advancing climate action and building the capacity of the next
generation of workforce members. Visit www.netimpact.org.
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SOURCE Hillenbrand, Inc.