How To Adapt In Crisis?

So far, the year 2025 has been marked by disruptive social, economic, geopolitical events. From tariff-fueled trade wars to actual wars and concerning armed conflict in the Middle East, the supply chain is suffering hits, left, right, and center.
The Strait of Hormuz, located in the heart of the Middle East, is the main route for the exportation of roughly 25% of global oil supply. If the strait closes, significant disruption will fall upon oil markets, shipping costs, international trade, and consequently, global inflation.
However, after the adaptation to disruptions from COVID-19 and previous conflicts, supply chain leaders learned to adjust their supply networks, partnerships, orders, products, contracts, transport routes, and prices.
But in times of uncertainty, how can the supply chain effectively pivot to more reliable resources, definitively?
In this article, I gathered information about possible sustainable products and materials, as a potential replacement for the ever-present oil-based goods.

🔥 Fuels & Energy

Cooking

• Biogas, methane from organic waste for cooking stoves — For example, Envien Group (USA)
• Ethanol biofuel, from sugarcane, corn, or cellulosic sources, for improved cooking stoves — For example, Raízen (Brazil)
• BioLPG, renewable liquefied petroleum gas from biomass for LPG-compatible cooking appliances — For example, SHV Energy (Netherlands)

Heating Houses

• Wood pellets and chips biomass — For example, Drax Group (UK)
• Renewable geothermal heat — For example, Climeon (Sweden)
• Green hydrogen, fuel cell heating — For example, ITM Power (UK)

Transportation Fuel

• Renewable natural gas (RNG), biomethane for heavy-duty trucks — For example, Clean Energy Fuels Corp (USA)
• Hydrogen fuel, green hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles and trucks — For example, Air Liquide (France)
• Renewable diesel (HVO), hydrotreated vegetable oils compatible with diesel engines — For example, Neste (Finland)
• Bioethanol (cellulosic), ethanol from non-food biomass for flex-fuel vehicles — For example, POET (USA)

🔌 Electronics Materials & Components

Bio-based Casings and Connectors

• Bio-based polyamide casings and connectors, made from castor oil — For example, Arkema (France/USA)

Adhesives and Potting Compounds

• Bio-derived adhesives and potting compounds, made with bio-polyols — For example, Cargill Bioindustrial (USA)

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

• Biodegradable PCB substrates, recyclable and water-soluble laminates — For example, Jiva Materials (Belgium)

Flexible Circuits

• Plant-based flexible films, heat-resistant films — For example, Panasonic (Japan)

Conductive Inks

• Bio-sourced conductive inks, silver nanoparticle inks suspended in bio-based solvents — For example, Novacentrix (USA)

Organic LEDs (OLEDs)

• Organic LEDs with bio-derived materials, organic molecules for OLED displays and lighting — For example, Merck Group (Germany)

🏗️ Construction Materials

• Natural-fiber panels, bio-resin bonded — For example, NPSP BV (Netherlands)
• Hemp-lime structural blocks, carbon-sequestering (store CO₂ in material), cement-free — For example, IsoHemp (Switzerland)
• Hemp-fiber insulation, VOC-free (no off-gassing of harmful chemicals), ~90% hemp — For example, Hempitecture (USA)
• Mycelium insulation panels, grown from waste, foam replacement — For example, Ecovative Design (USA)
• Earth/soil structural blocks, made from excavated soil — For example, BC Materials (Belgium)
• Bio-based steel coatings, renewable polymer layers (plant-sourced topcoat) — For example, Tata BlueScope (India/Australia)
• Cork insulation boards, 100% cork, no synthetic binder — For example, Amorim Cork (Portugal)
• Recycled textile insulation, ≥85% cotton/wool waste — For example, Inno-Therm (UK)

🏥 Medical Devices & Materials

• Biocompatible silk-based device coatings, fully synthetic-free for implants and surgical tools — For example, AMSilk (Germany)
• Silk wound dressings, FDA Class I surgical strips — For example, Sylke (USA)
• Non-absorbable silk surgical sutures, organic silk threads with or without coating — For example, AIP Medical (Belgium)
• Silk fibroin catheters and films, transparent and water-resistant for surgical use — For example, Allergan (USA/Ireland)
• FDA-approved silk scaffolds, bioresorbable tissue meshes — For example, Sofregen Medical (USA)
• Bio-silk microneedle patches, biodegradable for painless drug or vaccine delivery — For example, PNAS researchers (multi-location)
• Bionanotextile wound dressings, electrospun silk fibers with antibacterial properties — For example, Nanovic Research Labs (USA)

🌱 Agriculture

• Biodegradable mulch films (compostable plant-based films) — For example, supplier Mitsubishi Chemical (Japan)
• Biodegradable seedling pots (certified compostable pots) — For example, supplier Biotec Bioplastics (Germany)
• Bio-based fertilizers and soil conditioners (microbial, synthetic fertilizer alternatives) — For example, supplier Kureha Corporation (Japan)
• Paper- and cellulose-based biosensors (plastic-free crop and soil monitoring) — For example, supplier Vivent SA (Switzerland)
• Biological pest control agents (natural biopesticides and biofungicides) — For example, supplier Koppert Biological Systems (Netherlands)
• Compostable irrigation tubing and films (biodegradable tubes and films) — For example, supplier Terralite (Australia)
• Biochar soil enhancers (carbon-rich soil improvers without fossil inputs) — For example, supplier Swiss Biochar AG (Switzerland)
• Natural fiber-based crop protection nets (biodegradable fiber nets) — For example, supplier Yarntex Europe (France)
• Bioplastics for coatings of controlled-release fertilizers (biodegradable polymer coatings) — For example, supplier Shenzhen Esun Industrial (China)

Transportation — Automotive, Aerospace, Rail, Marine

🚗 Cars

Body and Frame

• Lightweight recycled aluminum, made from post-consumer and industrial scrap — For example, Novelis (USA/EU)
• Natural-fiber composites, reinforced with flax or hemp fibers — For example, Bcomp (Switzerland)
• Flax composites, high-performance panels with 50–85% CO₂ reduction — For example, Porsche, BMW (Germany)

Interior (Seats, Trim, Fabrics)

• Bio-based polyurethane seat foams, up to 40% plant-derived content — For example, Woodbridge (Canada)
• Natural fabrics, woven from hemp, linen, or wool blends — For example, EnviroTextiles (USA), Volvo (Sweden)
• Plant-based leathers, made from hemp residue or other biomass — For example, LOVR™ by Revoltech (Germany)
• Flax-fiber seatback composites, lightweight panels with reduced CO₂ — For example, Cupra Born EV (Spain), Bcomp, Sabelt (Switzerland/Italy)

Tires

• Renewable rubber blends, guayule-based compounds— For example, Bridgestone (Japan/USA)
• Sustainable tire compound, bio-based and recycled materials — For example, Continental UltraContact NXT (Germany)
• Bio-carbon black and dandelion rubber — For example, Lehigh, Michelin, Taraxagum (France/USA/Germany)

Fluids (Lubricants, Coolants, Hydraulics)

• Vegetable-based hydraulic oils, soy-based — For example, Lubriplate Biobased Green (USA)
• Renewable coolant, bio-propylene glycol — For example, ADM (USA)
• Biodegradable lubricants, ester- and plant-based — For example, Castrol BioStat, BioBar, BioBlend (Global)

Powertrain

• Battery-electric vehicles, lithium-ion powered — For example, Tesla (USA), BYD (China), Nissan (Japan), Polestar (Sweden)
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, compressed hydrogen — For example, Toyota Mirai (Japan), Hyundai Nexo (South Korea)
• E-fuels in development, synthetic fuels from CO₂ + green H₂ — For example, BEV (global), FCEV (global)

🚌 Buses

Body and Frame

• Recycled aluminum or steel structures — For example, Novelis (USA), ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)
• Flax fiber panels — For example, Bcomp AmpliTex (Switzerland)

Interior (Seats, Trim, Fabrics)

• Sustainable textile seating, 66% bio-based — For example, Ultrafabrics Volar Bio (USA)
• Bio-foams and natural fabrics, FSC wood and hemp/wool blends — For example, Woodbridge (USA)

Tires

• Renewable-content tires, 50% bio-based — For example, Continental Conti Urban (Germany)
• Retreaded tires, over 90% sustainable content — An industry-wide practice (Global)
• Natural rubber with bio-additives, rice-husk silica and rapeseed oil — For example, Continental and Michelin (Global)

Fluids

• Bio-hydraulic fluids, vegetable-based formulations — For example, Lubriplate (USA)
• Renewable coolants, soy-based bio-propylene glycol — For example, ADM (USA)
• Biodegradable axle and steering lubricants, plant-derived base oils — For example, Castrol (UK), BioBlend (USA)

Powertrain

• Battery-electric buses, lithium-ion powered — For example, BYD K9 (China), Proterra ZX5 (USA)
• Fuel cell buses, hydrogen-powered drivetrains — For example, Van Hool A330 (Belgium), Toyota Sora (Japan)
• Bio-CNG hybrid buses, biomethane fuel systems — For example, Scania (Sweden)

🚆 Trains

Body and Frame

• Recycled steel and aluminum frames, ≥50% post-consumer content — For example, ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), Novelis (USA)
• Natural fiber composites, flax- or hemp-based panels — For example, Bcomp AmpliTex (Switzerland)

Interior (Seats, Trim, Fabrics)

• Bio-foams and sustainable fabrics, plant-based foams and recycled PET textiles — For example, Woodbridge (Canada), Ultrafabrics (Japan/USA), Kvadrat (Denmark)
• FSC-certified wood and wool carpets, low-emission interior finishes — For example, Nordic rail interiors (Norway/Sweden)

Wheels

• Steel wheels, conventional but recyclable material — For example, Standard rail construction (Global)
• Biodegradable bearing greases, plant-based lubrication — For example, BioBlend BioGrease RC (USA), BioGear (USA)

Fluids

• Biodegradable oils for mechanical systems, door, brake & gearbox use — For example, BioBlend (USA)
• Renewable glycol coolants, soy-based propylene glycol — For example, ADM (USA)

Powertrain

• Electrified trains, high-speed and regional EMUs — For example, Siemens Velaro (Germany), Stadler FLIRT (Switzerland), Bombardier Zefiro (Canada)
• Battery and hydrogen-powered trains, zero-emission propulsion — For example, Alstom Coradia iLint (France), Stadler WINK (Switzerland), CRRC (China)

🛳️ Ships

Body and Frame

• Steel hulls with recycled content, low-carbon maritime construction — For example, ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)
• Aluminum structures for small vessels, lightweight marine frames — For example, Damen Shipyards Group (Netherlands), Norsafe AS (Norway), Metalships & Docks (Spain)

Interior (Cabins, Furniture)

• FSC-certified wood and natural textiles, recycled PET and organic fibers — For example, Stora Enso (Finland), Södra (Sweden), Arvind Limited (India)
• Vegan leathers, pineapple, mushroom, and hemp materials — For example, LOVR™ by Revoltech (Germany), Mylo™ by Bolt Threads (USA)

Fluids

• Biodegradable marine lubricants, ester- and vegetable-based — For example, Castrol BioStat (UK), Shell Naturelle (Netherlands)
• Renewable coolants, bio-propylene glycol — For example, ADM (USA)
• Synthetic ester gear oils, marine-grade lubricants — For example, FUCHS Lubricants (Germany)

🏠 Personal, Household & Office Products

Clothing & Accessories

• Bio-based textiles, Tencel/Lyocell, Piñatex pineapple leather — For example, Lenzing AG (Austria), Pîna Materials (Spain)
• Natural rubber footwear & accessories, sustainably sourced natural rubber soles — For example, Allbirds (New Zealand/USA)

Toys

• Biodegradable bioplastic toys, PLA or starch-based, eco-friendly parts — For example, PlanToys (Thailand)
• Natural rubber toys, plastic-free baby toys and teethers — For example, Hevea (Denmark)

Home & Office Items

• Furniture made from bamboo and natural fibers, sustainable plant-based furnishings — For example, Bambu Batu (Indonesia)
• Natural fiber office stationery, hemp paper and cork-based supplies — For example, Corkor (Portugal)
• Bio-based adhesives and finishes, wood adhesives and coatings from renewable sources — For example, Stora Enso (Finland)

Gym Equipment

• Natural rubber yoga mats and accessories — For example, Manduka (Global)
• Wood and natural fiber-based gym equipment — For example, Elemental Wellness (Australia)

Furniture

• Solid wood and bamboo furniture with bio-based finishes, sustainable wood furniture — For example, Fjords (Norway)
• Recycled natural fiber composite furniture, durable composites from natural fibers and biopolymers — For example, Natural Fiber Welding (USA/EU)

Reflection:

• Petroleum-based products are massively present in our everyday lives. The longer the industry procrastinates and continues with its massive oil addiction, the harder it could become to stay afloat in a volatile market. Every year, oil becomes increasingly scarce, and its price sharply fluctuates in response to disruptive political and social events worldwide.
• For a stable supply chain, industry should let go of the convenience of oil, leave this ”smoking habit”, and embrace sustainable, clean, petroleum-free materials.
• According to this research study, ”Investing in sustainability initiatives yields long-term financial benefits for businesses through increased brand loyalty and market share. Sustainable brands are better equipped to navigate regulatory changes, mitigate operational risks, and build resilience against environmental and social disruptions.”
  To adopt a more sustainable and reliable supply chain is a long-term win-win solution.
• According to BKV Energy, current estimates suggest that known oil reserves will last for approximately 47 to 56 years at current consumption rates.
• We are left to discuss:
  • In a 100 years, will there still be oil?
  • Will the businesses that adopt sustainable petroleum-free materials become visionaries of their time, leaving a legacy and a blueprint of how to reach oil-independence?
    And how will they juggle the challenges of cost, labor, time, and profitability, when adopting new materials and products?