Continuing the sustainable composites conversation

As I write this I am, like much of the world, in week three of the “stay at home” or “shelter in place” mode necessitated by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. And I, like everyone else, am asking the same questions. When will this end? When will life return to “normal”? The answers to these questions are elusive as we struggle to measure either exactly where we are, or in which direction we are heading. It reminds me of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, or the indeterminate state of existence represented by “Schrödinger’s​​​​​ cat” from my university quantum mechanics classes. Both concepts relate to the difficulties in measuring the exact state of matter.

I am convinced that the new term of the year, when 2020 ends, will be “social distancing.” If we don’t spend a lot of time in groups, as humans are wont to do, we stand a chance to reduce and possibly overcome the spread of the virus so that it struggles to spread and dies off. Implementation of social distancing has changed how we work, how we communicate and how we collaborate in the composites industry. Many of us are working from home, something I have done for the most part since 1993, so I am fairly comfortable doing it.

Up to a point, that is. I cannot recall a time in the last decade, and maybe longer, where I’ve spent three weeks straight in my home office, much less what I believe will be at least several more weeks. I’m a social creature and feel like I work and learn best in real person-to-person situations, necessitating travel, hotel stays, attendance at conferences and other physical events. The virtual world, while useful, is no substitute for seeing and touching composite materials, parts and assemblies. In the first month alone, I have had to cancel travel to multiple conferences and events, not to mention trips to corporate headquarters and partner sites. Sadly, 2020 will be the first year since 2000 that I won’t make the annual spring pilgrimage to Paris for the JEC World exhibition to see the latest in composites innovations.

I am optimistic that one outcome of the current crisis is a more balanced discussion regarding the benefits polymers convey to humans and the planet.

I’m not alone. I’ve had dozens of calls with contacts in the industry over these last three weeks and we are all in concert – we are getting some form of “cabin fever” and are looking forward to getting back to our nomadic normalcy. We’ll do our part to get through this, but we will be the first ones to hit the road as soon as the all-clear signal is given. I know there will be a lot of “catching up” to do during the busy fall conference season!

The current crisis is forcing some rethinking of past decisions. Last month, I wrote about the growing need for sustainable composites manufacture, a need which grew out of widespread bans on single-use plastics in numerous communities and some countries. Today, however, as a result of the pandemic and with concerns over hygiene, retailers are telling customers to leave their potentially unsanitary reusable shopping bags and containers at home, and reintroducing single-use plastic bags, utensils and beverage cups. While it is tempting to say, “we told you so,” we still need to make the effort to reduce plastic and composites waste, with a focus on a circular economy. I am optimistic that one outcome of the current crisis is a more balanced discussion between all parties regarding the benefits polymers in all forms convey to humans and the planet, and how best to address polymer disposal and re-use, rather than simply banning them outright.

Previous decisions about global sourcing and supply chains are being questioned, especially as they relate to personal protective equipment like masks and gowns, but also to sophisticated assemblies like respirators. We clearly live in a globally interdependent society, and innovation can come from anywhere, but I suspect governments will move to invest and encourage greater domestic sourcing of many critical technologies, including those that involve composite materials.

While the above are some of my personal observations, they no doubt resonate with many of you. While there is likely to be a new version of “normal,” I am confident we will emerge from this crisis with renewed enthusiasm to bring innovative composite solutions to market. I am also hopeful that by the time you read this, the worst of the pandemic will have passed, and we have some insight as to when we might resume face-to-face interactions. One thing is certain when we all meet again at industry events: Each of us will have a story to tell about this period. I hope our stories will all have happy endings.