News 04.05.2021

Need to Know

Pangaia innovates with carbon-negative textile ink, Mastercard offers real-time salary access and Gen Z struggle to adapt to remote working.

Pangaia prints textiles with extracted pollution

Air-Ink Collection by Pangaia in collaboration with Graviky Labs and Jenke Ahmed Tailly

US – Material science and apparel company Pangaia is using carbon-negative ink as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional textile printing.

Working with pollution upcycling company Graviky Labs, Pangaia is using the company’s Air-Ink innovation – a water-based black ink formulated using carbon-capture technology. The ink is created using an extraction process, whereby air pollution particles are transformed into different grades of inks, dispersions and coatings. Pangaia will use the Air-Ink for black lettering and graphics on its capsule collection of recycled cotton hoodies, t-shirts and trousers.

The eco-conscious nature of the collaboration is also reflected in the collection’s logo: an infinity symbol that represents circularity in fashion. For Graviky Labs, teaming up with the apparel brand means it is able to expand its reach and continue raising awareness of its carbon-negative solution.

We've also discovered how pollution is being used in the luxury sector, with companies such as Aether diamonds redirecting carbon to create lab-grown diamonds.

Freda is de-gendering period products

Cycle by Freda, UK Cycle by Freda, UK
Cycle by Freda, UK Cycle by Freda, UK

UK – Period care brand Freda is drawing attention to the importance of period inclusivity, with its new range of de-gendered period products.

Its latest product line, Cycle, caters for a gap in the market for period care that is free from gender-normative associations. Featuring a range of pads and tampons, Cycle features neutral branding as opposed to feminine cues, to communicate the idea that it is designed for everyone. An accompanying campaign video features transgender and non-binary activists and influencers including Kenny Ethan Jones, Jamie Raines and Siufung Law.

Freda’s launch of Cycle is in line with the brand's findings that almost half (47%) of UK adults who have ever menstruated admit to experiencing a lack of period inclusivity. Affi Parvizi-Wayne, the founder of Freda, comments: ‘At Freda we want to raise awareness about the importance of period inclusivity, and the positive impact it can have on society, culture, and mental and physical wellbeing.’

In our Trans-positive beauty and wellness list, we identify the innovators and brands that are leading important conversations in this area.

Mastercard makes salaries accessible in real time

US – The bank has teamed up with fintech startup Hi55 to offer a salary access card, enabling people to receive their pay as they earn it.

The card, which operates in a similar way to a debit card, offers users the chance to access their pay in real time, with a limit set in line with their earnings. Available to employees of companies who have signed up to Hi55’s business finance platform, employees are entitled to increased financial freedom and flexibility – something that Mastercard and Hi55 hope will reduce reliance on high-rate borrowing.

‘With the easy-to-use card, managed through the Hi app, employees can more easily see and access their salary any time they’ve earned,’ says David Brown, founder and CEO of Hi55. ‘This not only helps employees with better budgeting or meeting unexpected shortfalls, it also helps companies to secure the financial health and wellbeing of their workforce.’

As the importance of maintaining financial wellness becomes widespread in the wake of Covid-19, employers have an opportunity to support their workforce through initiatives that put financial health first.

Mastercard Hi

Stat: Young remote workers experience poor wellbeing

Human-centred Workplace by Wilkhahn in collaboration with 1zu33 Human-centred Workplace by Wilkhahn in collaboration with 1zu33

Young people in remote-based jobs are disproportionately affected by the emotional effects of working from home during the pandemic, according to new research by Microsoft.

The study found that 16% of Generation Z are struggling to feel engaged or excited about work, compared with just 12% of Boomers. The same percentage (16%) also note that they struggle to get a word in during meetings, while just 12% of Millennials, 11% of Generation X and 9% of Boomers experience this.

This presents an opportunity for employers to focus on the needs of the younger generation, and find ways to boost productivity and wellbeing as they enter a future of remote working. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, says: ‘Employee expectations are changing, and we will need to define productivity much more broadly – inclusive of collaboration, learning and wellbeing, to drive career advancement for every worker.’

To find out more about how to cater for a new, yet jaded, generation of employees, look out for our forthcoming Youth microtrend, Out-of-work Networks.

Previous News Articles
Jameel Motorsport turns Fortnite into environmental wake-up call

News

Jameel Motorsport turns Fortnite into environmental wake-up call

Jameel Motorsport and Serviceplan Arabia have launched The Treeless Map, a Fortnite experience designed to raise environmental awareness by removin...
Gaming : Sustainability : Technology
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight analyst Seyi Od...
Japan : Travel : Travel And Hospitality
Stat: Personalisation, pop-culture and social media are reshaping travel

News

Stat: Personalisation, pop-culture and social media are reshaping travel

Personalised recommendations and digital inspiration are reshaping travel, according to Data Axle’s 2025 survey of 1,000 US consumers. As the sprin...
Travel & Hospitality : Stats : Stat
Kia Europe turns road trips into sound journeys for visually impaired people

News

Kia Europe turns road trips into sound journeys for visually impaired people

Automobile manufacturer, Kia Europe and creative agency Innocean Berlin have launched Soundscapes, a creative experiment that transforms the tradit...
Soundscapes : Mobility : Pimp My Ride
Diriyah gets its own Pantone colour as part of cultural revival

News

Diriyah gets its own Pantone colour as part of cultural revival

The historic Saudi city of Diriyah now has a shade to call its own: Diriyah Tan.
Saudi Arabia : Diriyah : Diriyah Biennale
Stat: Consumers sacrifice dining and takeout amid inflation

News

Stat: Consumers sacrifice dining and takeout amid inflation

Amid growing economic uncertainty and inflation concerns, consumers in the US and UK are scaling back on discretionary spending, with 63% cutting b...
Stat : Stats : Spending
O Boticário launches sensual guide for female pleasure

News

O Boticário launches sensual guide for female pleasure

Brazilian cosmetics brand O Boticário has launched Her Touch, a digital book that aims to dismantle taboos around female pleasure by reframing the ...
Beauty : Wellness : Brazil
Trendmood translates online clout into physical retail

News

Trendmood translates online clout into physical retail

Instagram beauty scoop account @trendmood1 is making its first foray into physical retail with a Los Angeles pop-up set to open this summer.
Retail : Beauty : Pop Culture & Media
Stat: UK gym market hits record as Gen Z fuel sign-ups

News

Stat: UK gym market hits record as Gen Z fuel sign-ups

The UK gym market reached a record valuation of £5.7bn ($7.6bn, €6.6bn) in 2024, up 8.8% year on year, according to UKactive’s latest report.
Sports : Health : Wellness
Zendaya wears spacesuits by On to champion movement for all

News

Zendaya wears spacesuits by On to champion movement for all

Zendaya and Swiss sportswear brand On have launched Zone Dreamers, a fictional film trailer turned campaign spotlighting the emotional power of mov...
Fashion : Advertising : On
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN