The pandemic affected many industries in various ways; one notably was supply shortages. In response to this, cosmetic companies sought alternative materials and suppliers of critical materials, like Carbopol, upped their production.
Another up-and-coming challenge to supplies could be the impact of climate change on natural materials. Dell'Acqua and Kostic described this in a recent C&T article, "...changes in rainfall patterns may disrupt the natural habitats of plants, limiting their availability. Or as temperatures rise, crops like coffee may need to be relocated to cooler higher altitudes conducive to cultivation. This relocation could encroach upon forested areas and protected habitats..."
In last week's poll, we asked: What’s Your Biggest Challenge When Sourcing Raw Materials for Lab Work? Here's what you said. Be sure to check back for our latest poll!
Poll Results
- Ensuring consistent quality: 39%
- Finding sustainable or eco-friendly options: 10%
- Managing costs within budget: 51%
