In the material systems of tomorrow,
the wonder of science will merge with the ecology and circularity of mother nature.
so how will we get from here to there?
Hello, we’re Lab in the Woods.
We believe a beautiful material future will be unlocked through weaving powerful collaboration. That’s why we exist.
We’re a collaboration and systems-change lab focused on supporting the transformation of the complex systems of today towards the new and truly sustainable material systems of tomorrow.
What We Do
We love to lead powerful collaborations across teams, businesses, supply chains and even whole industries. We work with the innovative start-ups, SMEs and global brands in the Consumer Goods Industry who are leading the way in the transition to green chemistry and sustainable material technologies.
We combine deep strategic and technical expertise with human-centric collaboration and facilitation practices to unlock iterative and meaningful change.
Sustainable Materials & Chemistry Strategy
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Co-creation of a robust strategy with stakeholders
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Strategic roadmaps for innovation and phase out/phase in
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Execution of strategies with teams and stakeholders
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Leading Innovation by developing powerful collaborations across business, supply chains and partnerships
Sustainable R&D /
NPD Leadership
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Market Landscape Intelligence
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Creative visuals to capture and synthesise complex data
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Business case development/value capture
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Strategic positioning /differentiation
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Problem-solving uncertain and ambiguous problems
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R&D Project leadership for scaling up sustainable materials / NPD utilising sustainable materials
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Sustainability claims/messaging for existing and new products and packaging (collaboration with chosen legal partner)
Cross-Company
Multi-stakeholder Collaboration
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Working with trade organisations / NGOs to identify gaps/challenges in markets
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Convene and coordinate large groups to accelerate Sustainability Transformation
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Engage and coordinate stakeholders and project manage complex pre-competitive partnerships that move the entire industry along in a more sustainable direction
Our Founder & Director Michelle Legatt has worked with clients across North America from start-ups to global brands. We love to travel and collaborate in person with our clients and teams when the project calls for it, and the rest of the time, we work from a cosy cabin in the woods. Eagles live here too.
Technical advisor for the Clean Chemicals & Materials Coalition. This Working Group focuses on increasing the adoption of chemical management best practices and sustainable materials & chemistry. Collaborated with the legislative advisor & steering committee to create resources, webinars and task forces for OIA’s member brands.
Created a new materials qualification process & a strategic roadmap for lowering the environmental footprint of the plastics used across Hasbro’s diverse product lines and coordinated trials with biobased and recycled materials for NERF, Play-Doh, Potato Head & Playskool products.
Identified and vetted lower-impact commercially available materials (and start-ups applying to Tin Shed Ventures) for textile fibers, apparel trims, luggage, and surfboards. In collaboration with the Environmental Impact Team, assessed the climate trade-offs associated with the agricultural impacts and processing of biobased & biodegradable materials.
Gained valuable R&D experience, and co-authored six granted patents, at a large multinational conglomerate. Developed fundamental technology - in nanotechnology & biopolymers - and new products - for ACE™ and FUTURO™ brands.
