Who Owns Expo?

Expo operates under Newell Brands' comprehensive sustainability framework, which encompasses responsible product design, environmental stewardship, and ethical manufacturing practices across the company's global operations.

Sustainable Packaging Initiatives: As part of Newell Brands' commitment to environmental responsibility, Expo has significantly improved its packaging sustainability. In 2024, Newell Brands reported that 93% of plastic packaging by weight across all products was EPS-free, and 86% was PVC-free. Additionally, 84% of all product packaging company-wide is now paper-based, reflecting a major shift toward more sustainable packaging materials that reduce environmental impact and improve recyclability.

Environmental Compliance and Manufacturing: Expo manufacturing facilities participate in Newell Brands' global environmental initiatives. The company has achieved a 37% cumulative reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions at its global manufacturing sites, with 14.3% of global manufacturing electricity shifted to renewable energy sources. These environmental improvements directly benefit Expo's production facilities, reducing the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing dry erase markers and related products.

Responsible Sourcing: Expo benefits from Newell Brands' robust responsible sourcing program, which ensures that materials and components are procured in accordance with ethical standards and environmental regulations. The company's responsible sourcing initiatives address supply chain ethics, environmental compliance, and social responsibility throughout the global procurement network, ensuring that Expo products are manufactured with materials that meet strict environmental and ethical criteria.

Product Safety and Chemical Management: While Expo markers have faced scrutiny regarding chemical content, Newell Brands maintains comprehensive product safety protocols. The company adheres to regulatory requirements and industry standards for chemical safety in office products, working to balance product performance with environmental and health considerations. Newell Brands' ethics and compliance program ensures 100% completion of annual Code of Conduct training among employees, reinforcing the company's commitment to responsible business practices.

Operational Excellence: Expo manufacturing sites operate under Newell Brands' world-class safety standards, achieving a global recordable incident rate of 0.50, reflecting excellent safety performance. This commitment to operational excellence extends to environmental management, with continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, optimizing energy usage, and minimizing environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

Expo has established itself as the leading dry erase marker brand through consistent product quality and market leadership, earning recognition from educators and office professionals for reliability and performance.

Teacher and Educator Recognition: Expo markers are widely recognized as the preferred choice among educators and teachers. The brand consistently receives positive reviews from teaching professionals for its reliable erasability, vibrant colors, and comprehensive product range. Educational supply reviews frequently rank Expo as the top recommended dry erase marker brand for classroom use, citing the brand's consistent performance and availability in various tip styles and colors to meet different teaching needs.

Market Leadership Recognition: Expo maintains its position as the world's leading dry erase marker brand, a distinction that reflects decades of product innovation and consumer trust. The brand's dominance in the dry erase marker market has been acknowledged through industry analyses and market research reports that consistently identify Expo as the market leader in both sales volume and brand recognition among office and educational supplies.

Product Innovation Recognition: Expo has been recognized for product innovations including low-odor formulations and improved ink technologies that address user concerns about marker fumes in enclosed spaces. The brand's development of scented markers and specialized formulations for different use cases demonstrates its commitment to meeting evolving consumer needs while maintaining product quality and safety standards.

Professional Endorsement: Office professionals and business users consistently endorse Expo markers for their reliability in professional settings. The brand's presence in conference rooms, boardrooms, and professional training environments worldwide serves as ongoing recognition of its quality and performance standards in business applications.

Expo has faced scrutiny regarding chemical content in its markers, particularly concerning volatile organic compounds and their potential health effects, though no major product recalls have been issued.

Chemical Content Concerns: In 2018, a study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) tested various school supplies for toxic chemicals and found that EXPO scented dry erase markers had detectable levels of harmful volatile solvents including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. These petroleum-based substances are also found in fracking wastewater and have been associated with potential health concerns, particularly for children and individuals with chemical sensitivities.

Health and Safety Scrutiny: The findings regarding chemical content in Expo markers have raised concerns among parents, educators, and health advocacy groups about the safety of using these products in enclosed classroom spaces. The presence of volatile organic compounds has led to increased scrutiny of indoor air quality in educational settings and prompted discussions about safer alternatives for classroom use.

Industry-Wide Issue: The chemical concerns affecting Expo markers are not unique to the brand but represent broader issues within the dry erase marker industry. Many competing brands also use similar solvent-based formulations, though Expo's market leadership position has made it a particular focus of environmental and health advocacy groups seeking safer school supplies.

Regulatory Compliance: Despite these concerns, Expo markers continue to meet current regulatory requirements for office and school supplies. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has not issued recalls for Expo markers based on chemical content, and the products remain legally compliant with existing safety standards for writing instruments and office supplies in the United States and other markets.

Product Formulation Response: In response to health concerns, Newell Brands has developed low-odor formulations for some Expo products and continues to evaluate product formulations to balance performance characteristics with health and environmental considerations. The company maintains that its products are safe when used as intended and comply with all applicable regulations.