10.29.21
Estée Lauder is partnering with The International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory to fund research that aims to tackle the plastic problem on Earth.
How? By researching plastic-alternative materials in space.
The extreme environment of space allows for accelerated materials testing, according to ISS International Lab. The lab is investigating how research conducted in space can advance R&D on the ground—and more quickly develop innovations that will define tomorrow’s world.
Estée Lauder will fund research for plastic alternatives as ISS International Lab's exclusive partner for its Sustainability Challenge: Beyond Plastics.
This marks the first time a beauty brand has partnered on a research and development opportunity for innovators to propose concepts leveraging the ISS National Lab to advance sustainability research for plastics alternatives.
Stéphane de La Faverie, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder & AERIN and Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies, comments:
“We are so proud to be the funding partner...as a brand built on creativity and innovation, Estée Lauder is committed to fostering pioneering ideas in the areas of science and sustainability. Our hope is this challenge will give researchers the opportunity to submit groundbreaking concepts that may one day in the near future improve Earth’s environment.”
As part of Estée Lauder's commitment to support research that can help drive sustainable packaging innovation, the company will provide funding for the awarded proposals. "As a global leader in the beauty industry, we have an important responsibility to search for more sustainable business practices, and now we’re excited to share this research opportunity extends as far as space," the company posted on Instagram.
More About Conducting Research in Space
The orbiting ISS National Lab, managed by The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc., was designated as a U.S. National Laboratory in 2005 by Congress. This designation enables "space R&D" — and gives access to a broad range of commercial, academic, and government businesses."R&D onboard the ISS National Lab offers an unparalleled opportunity to investigate how gravity and the extreme environment of space influence observations in the physical and life sciences—exploiting these effects to understand basic phenomena and advance commercial pursuits," states ISS International Lab. Its website explains more about how a lab in space can advance research more quickly than being on the ground.
The ISS National Lab's Sustainability Challenge
The ISS National Lab's Sustainability Challenge, announced today in partnership with Estée Lauder Companies, will unite innovators on an important mission to address plastic waste. Finalists may have the opportunity to launch flight projects to the orbiting laboratory.The challenge aims to enable scientific or technological advancements that will help improve Earth’s environment. Such research has the potential to unmask new insights into cost-effective and innovative avenues for environmentally responsible biopolymers or plastics alternatives.
Participants will compete for the opportunity to use the unique ISS environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that address at least one of the following goals:
- Reduce plastic waste introduction into the environment
- Seek alternative feedstocks and pathways for polymer production beyond petrochemicals
- Reduce virgin plastic manufacturing
In addition to ingredient transparency, responsible sourcing, and energy and emissions efforts, sustainable packaging is a key part of Estée Lauder’s sustainability strategy. The brand has implemented robust measures to drive the reduction of virgin and non-recyclable plastic and has committed by 2025 that 75-100% of Estée Lauder packaging will be recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled or recoverable.
Christine Kretz, vice president of programs and partnerships for the ISS National Lab, comments:
“We are excited to collaborate with Estée Lauder as we seek novel advancements through space-based research and development to mitigate plastic pollution. We look forward to working alongside researchers as they propose science that will improve the environment of our beautiful planet.”
Finalist Presentations Will Livestream from the Kennedy Space Center On March 19, 2022
The ISS National Lab Sustainability Challenge is an open solicitation for U.S.-based entities to propose projects that leverage the orbiting research platform for applied research and technology development.Applicants must first submit a concept form to ideally address a whole-of-life design approach to production of virgin polymers through sustainable feedstocks or the biodegrading or upcycling of end-of-life of polymers.
A subset of applicants with the most promising concepts will then be invited to submit a pre-recorded “pitch” video describing their concept in more detail.
The projects will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges, and on March 19, 2022, a Sustainability Challenge event will be held at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex where the finalists’ recorded presentations will be showcased and live streamed to a global audience.
Apply here.
Good luck!
