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Electrically and thermally conductive material/process innovations
Don Rosato EngineeringWithin a mixture of mature and simultaneously evolving technologies, there are numerous conductive polymer applied research projects underway throughout industry and universities for both base resins and new conductive additives/structures, including multilayer extrusion.
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How to achieve industrial marketing success in 2016
Joe Sullivan EngineeringIHS Engineering360 recently published a fantastic study called "2015 Digital Media Use in the Industrial Sector." Based on a survey of more than 1,400 technical professionals, the prevailing message for marketers is this: As industrial professionals spend more of their time gathering information online, those of us who sell our products and services to industrial professionals must begin shifting our marketing spend online accordingly.
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Report: US will surpass China as top manufacturing country by 2020
Alan Kelsky ManufacturingOn Jan. 4, Reuters rang in the new year with a report stating the United States manufacturing and construction sectors can both look forward to "tepid growth." However, a report issued by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness — "2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index" — predicts the United States will regain its former position as the No. 1 manufacturing producer in the world, surpassing China by 2020.
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Will justice finally be served on the Mobile Air Conditioning Directive?
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingWe greet the new year with a new development on an old old story — the European Commission's Mobile Air Conditioning Directive. Just before Christmas, the EC announced it would definitely be taking Germany to court for infringing the MAC Directive. Whether this represents the final chapter in the saga remains to be seen, but Germany is being called to account for effectively allowing car manufacturer Daimler to sidestep the requirements of European law for an astonishing three full years.
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Growing electrically conductive polymer market trends
Don Rosato EngineeringBy way of introduction, the global market for electrically conductive polymers was at $2.2 billion in 2012 and is forecast to grow to $3.4 billion by 2017 for a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. Inherently conductive polymers (ICPs), still considered an "emerging" market, are expected to grow to 23 percent of the electrically conductive polymers market by 2017 for a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 percent versus 5.9 percent for conductive filled plastics.
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Bioplastic applications advancing new development routes
Don Rosato EngineeringThe bioplastics market based on "renewable carbon" is expanding from single-use compostables to durable applications with greater performance demands. The demand for renewable materials in durables is accelerating R&D to meet higher property requirements. Bio-based raw materials will shift to nonfood sources. New technologies will reduce manufacturing costs, and bring new bio-based products to market.
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The safety benefits of peer-to-peer observations
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe constantly demonstrate behaviors that are observable to others. In a workplace, these observations are significant for preventing accidents and injuries and need to be encouraged, supported and taken seriously. Peers (co-workers) are critical to the implementation and success of observation, feedback and safe work practices.
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Innovative packaging driving growth in food and beverage industries
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageThe increasing consumer trend toward natural, sustained and minimally processed foods has necessitated a change in packaging that will support these natural and organic products. At the same time, consumers are still looking for easy food solutions with processed food and drinks, which need to be healthier at the same time.
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Behavior safety: A health and safety benefit
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementBehavior safety is gaining recognition and value in the industrial arena. During its introductory years, it was not uncommon for employees to refer to behavior programs as the "flavor of the month" as it was an addition to the safety program.
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Bioplastic materials and process advances on the move
Don Rosato EngineeringMicrobiologists, rather than materials scientists, are developing new plastic building blocks. To further enhance overall performance, and durability of bioplastics, additives, blends and alloys are increasingly used. The increasing number of biopolymers gives more choices for blend processing and will lead to more innovation.
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