Eco Architecture Consumer Insights

Trend - Brands in the 3D printing space are releasing materials that prioritize sustainability without compromising on function. The sustainability ranges from including renewable resources, such as wood or plant-based fibres, to using energy-efficient, low-emission production systems.

Insight - 3D printing is continually increasing in popularity not only in industrial applications, but also with hobbyist consumers. However, as the industry continues to expand, it continues to attract more attention from environmental regulators and consumers due to the unrenewable nature of most plastic-based filaments. Brands are recognizing the public and private desires for sustainable materials, and in response are investing in renewable materials and energies.

Trend - Businesses are using custom packaging that reduces moisture levels with custom materials that do not require desiccant packets. These packaging materials are more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional plastic packages while having active moisture-reducing qualities that protect contents.

Insight - Brands that sell moisture-sensitive products, such as textiles, F&B, or electronics, are tasked with ensuring their products are sufficiently protected while maintaining low packaging costs and adhering to sustainability goals. These complex desires are leading to material science companies creating new solutions that aim to replace traditional packaging methods. Brands that partner with these material manufacturers can differentiate themselves from competitors and more quickly achieve goals.

Trend - Businesses are partnering with sustainable development companies, or launching research divisions, to craft carbon-neutral or negative offices. These buildings use renewable energies and sustainable materials as part of carbon offsetting measures—resulting in tax benefits and lower operation costs.

Insight - Large businesses, particularly those connected to large product supply chains, are increasingly receiving pressure from regulating bodies and environmental NGOs to become more sustainable. These businesses are beginning to monitor each part of their operations to identify areas that can be improved to reduce their emissions. As a result, many businesses have chosen infrastructure as a focus for eco-efforts. Businesses that invest in these shifts improve their image while appeasing regulators.

Trend - Distilleries are using grapes and grape pomace intended to be discarded to make new drinks. These drinks include Wines and Piquettes, and are new collections marketed as eco-forward additions to the wine industry. These drinks reduce and in some cases eliminate waste from wine production systems.

Insight - Younger millenial and Gen Z consumers are becoming more aware of their passive environmental impact each year, with many looking to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, provided these do not come with significant compromises. One such area that consumers are prioritizing sustainability in is food and drink, increasingly opting for products that avoid single-use plastics and damaging ingredients. Alcohol brands are recognizing these priorities and are looking into more sustainable practices.

Trend - Brands in the textile industry are launching new fabric materials made from recovered and upcycled ocean-bound plastics. These textiles help reduce waste while offering affordable products for related industries, such as hospitality and fashion—resulting in durable and sustainable alternatives.

Insight - Industries that rely on textiles face large amounts of waste each year, which is increasingly drawing attention from environmental activist groups and government regulators. These industries, namely the hospitality and fashion industries, are tasked with finding ways to hit sustainability goals without sacrificing the quality of experiences for their customers. This is leading to businesses placing pressure on their suppliers, or on new suppliers, to provide sustainability-first products.

Trend - Beverage companies are introducing carbon-negative products that go beyond carbon offsetting or carbon neutrality. These beverages use sustainable packaging and renewable energies in production to drastically reduce the carbon footprint and positively impact the environment.

Insight - With each year that passes, businesses face more pressure to become more sustainable—both from governments and NGOs. These businesses desire a way to remain competitive as environmental pressures arise, leading to a need to shift away from environmentally damaging practices. Businesses that implement these changes are able to demonstrate their values to like-minded consumers, and can effectively differentiate themselves from competitors.

Trend - Hardware manufacturers are incorporating post-consumer recycled plastics into laptop lineups to contribute to the circular economy. These laptops combat the growing e-waste problem without compromising on production quality—offering a clear benefit to both consumers and businesses.

Insight - Sustainability is increasingly becoming a primary purchase motivator for environmentally conscious consumers, particularly in traditionally unsustainable industries. Many of these consumers are willing to pay a premium for a product that progresses the circular economy, as circularity has the largest impact on environmental footprints for consumers and businesses. Technology manufacturers are addressing these consumers' priorities with upcycled goods, resulting in greener industries.

Trend - Companies in the production, retail, and logistics spaces are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) models to reduce emissions. The AI models help optimize production, cut-out excess waste, better manage inventory, and improve overall sustainability using predictive and analytical models.

Insight - In recent years governmental regulatory bodies have placed increased pressure on businesses to reduce emissions and go green. As a response to this, many businesses have made green commitments with strict timeframes, often aiming to achieve net-zero emissions in a matter of a decade. These businesses aim to achieve these goals without reducing their profit margins, meaning they often do not want to hire new departments. As such, they are increasingly turning to analytical AI models.

Trend - Brands in the kitchenware and appliance industries are creating compact, low-power alternatives to large utilities such as dishwashers and microwaves. These are designed to be portable cost-saving measures, requiring less resources to operate while also being suitable for multi-homes.

Insight - Many consumers choose not to use large, power-hungry appliances in the home, for example, choosing to do dishes by hand rather than with a dishwasher due to rising hydro bills. Each additional appliance takes more space out of the kitchen, with ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and more, taking up the majority of the floor and counter space. This creates a demand not only for smaller, more compact appliances, but also for those that are more energy-efficient and portable.

Trend - Companies are introducing fishing traps that are ropeless and located with acoustic signals. These traps have self-inflating balloons to allow them to surface when called, and can be used more than ten times. This results in fewer fish and whales caught in unnecessary ropes.

Insight - Commercial fishing is essential to maintaining an affordable supply of seafood for customers. However, this fishing is often destructive to the aquatic environment due to single-use traps and materials being lost in the water. For customers who do not consider the sustainability of fishing, reducing costs and increasing supply is a real desire. This puts pressure on companies to deploy more efficient, more sustainable methods of fishing that reduce costs across the board.