NEXT Trends 2020 series: In an effort to help support retailers and brands, we will be publishing regular brand features for the next few weeks. Brands are selected from those that registered to exhibit at Natural Products Expo West 2020 and were curated as great examples of one of 50 trends New Hope Network is monitoring in the marketplace.

These trends are part of New Hope Network's NEXT Expo Guidebook and trend hierarchy.

Today, we look at five companies that are innovating in the "efficient materials" trend within the Material Optimization macro force. With thousands of plant, animal, sea and insect species in the world, explorers are bringing otherwise overlooked resources with superhero qualities to market mindfully.

1. Hevea

What is it? Hevea makes natural rubber puppy and baby products. It offers a wide range of natural rubber pacifiers, teethers, bath toys, feeding products and swimming fins to babies and toddlers.

Innovation: The natural rubber pacifiers are completely plastic free and made without phthalates or heavy metals.

2. Le Grand

What is it? Plant-based yogurts, spreads, sauces and butter.

Innovation: Le Grand's makes plant-based clean foods packaged in low-impact plastic pouches. 

3. World Centric

What is it? Compostable cutlery, cups, lids, take-out containers, plates, straws, napkins, bags, bowls and more.

Innovation: These compostable products use less energy and water to manufacture and generate less pollution than petroleum-based products. They are made from renewable plant fibers such as corn, sugarcane and bamboo. A portion of profits is donated to fund global grassroots community projects around the world and to offset the company’s carbon emissions.

4. Papa & Barkley

What is it? Regeneratively and organically grown and processed CBD balms, lotions and drops.

Innovation: Papa & Barkley fresh presses USA-grown hemp flowers to capture full-spectrum CBD resin, rich in beneficial terpenes and phytonutrients. From soil to shelf, the company never uses chemicals, CO2 or solvents, and meets its farmers to ensure they are using organic and regenerative growing practices.

5. Season Brand

What is it? Season sells canned fish such as anchovies, caviar, kippers, mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna.

Innovation: Season ensures its products are wild caught, Friend of the Sea certified sustainable, gluten-free certified, kosher certified and Non-GMO Project verified. It uses methods such as zero bycatch to ensure its catch is not causing excessive ecological harm.