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Technology and market drivers in plastic barrier packaging
Don Rosato EngineeringFood and beverage packaging together comprise 55 percent of the $550 billion value of packaging in the global marketplace. Food processing and packaging industries spend an estimated 15 percent of the total variable costs on packaging materials.
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Who wins in Tesla’s patent move?
Ross Lancaster Transportation Technology & AutomotiveIn the world of automotive technology, patents exclusive to one automaker have traditionally been guarded as extremely valuable possessions, never to make it into a rival's hands. On June 12, Tesla CEO Elon Musk turned that line of thinking on its head.
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A greener and cooler cold chain
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe cooling industry is sometimes accused of being too focused on advancing the technology in their particular sector whilst overlooking the progress of those further down their supply chain. So we have had the situation for instance, in Europe, where a number of supermarkets are confidently trialling new techniques in carbon dioxide refrigeration or forced air display cabinets, while the food production factories that supply the food they sell are still creaking away on the most basic of refrigeration systems.
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Wind energy applications — the promising road forward
Don Rosato EngineeringWind energy continues to provide major growth opportunities for plastic composites — the industry will reach $4 billion by the end of 2014. The adoption of larger-scale turbines and the expansion of offshore installations that call for stiffer and lighter blades are important to the use of lightweight, strength-to-weight plastic composites.
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How will Iraq turmoil impact the oil price?
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesSpeculations have run rampant about the impact of the Iraqi attacks on international oil prices. Will we face another 2008 oil price shock? By how much will the prices rise? However, you never know what is going to happen on the oil market, and the market will deal with it anyway.
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Energy efficiency opportunities in the manufacturing sector
Alan Kelsky ManufacturingOne third of the energy consumed in the United States is by the manufacturing sector. Ninety percent of the manufacturing sector are small- and medium-sized businesses that use about half of the energy consumed in manufacturing.
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More regulations for cooling industry to accommodate
Andrew GavedReaders outside of Europe may be forgiven for thinking that the European policymakers have got something against the cooling industry. Just look at all the legislation and standards-setting underway that are directed squarely at refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.
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Why implement a sustainability initiative?
Ryan Moosman Facilities & GroundsA growing ecological awareness is beginning to emerge as we find that conventional methods of interacting with the environment and using natural resources has consequences that threaten our quality of life and the well-being of future generations. We realize that we cannot use the Earth as we have in the past.
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Wind energy processing technologies steadily advancing
Don Rosato EngineeringWind energy designs increasingly depend on plastics processing and design technologies. Plastic parts and components are extensively used in all major sectors of wind energy, and processing developments in blade manufacturing and service are advancing rapidly.
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Sustainable wine-growing practices are taking over
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageThe latest findings from the Natural Marketing Institute's Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) Consumer Trends Database have revealed interesting figures. The results show that 34 percent of consumers across wine segments consider environmental as well as sustainable attributes when choosing their wine, while 66 percent said they look deeply into the labels for eco-friendly and sustainable practices information.
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