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Trump, Russia and OPEC’s latest production cut
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesWhile Donald Trump's transition headquarters is still trying to identify someone to fill the coveted Secretary of State position — likely Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson — the wheels of global energy geopolitics outside of Washington keep spinning.
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Protecting pipelines — both inside and out
Alan Kelsky EngineeringConsider that there are about 2.6 million miles of pipeline that crisscross the United States. With that number of miles, the safety of pipelines is admirable. But people still don't trust pipelines. Protesters against the Dakota Access Pipeline have been in the news daily — even after their recent victory in stopping construction. At the same time, TransCanada — owner of the Keystone XL pipeline — is suing the United States government for its refusal to grant them a permit for the United States portion of the pipeline.
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Trump’s chance to make his mark on the energy industry
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesWhat else to write about this week than President-elect Donald Trump? Just hours after one of the biggest electoral upsets in political history, analysts were scrambling to decipher what it might mean for the energy industry. Writing back in June, all I was able to conclude from the Republican candidate's ill-defined statements was that under a Trump presidency, "something is going to change ... we just don't know what." Now it is time, in this brave new world, to work out the "what."
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Refrigeration industry glimpses its future
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingI recently attended the Chillventa exhibition in Nuremburg, Germany, which provides a biannual opportunity to see many within the European cooling industry in one place. The fact that so many manufacturers converge on Chillventa provides a rare chance to take the pulse of the industry and allows us to get an idea of what is on the collective minds of the supply chain.
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The growing popularity of flexible packaging
Alan Kelsky EngineeringFlexible packaging continues to overtake other forms of packaging as both consumers and brand owners often prefer it. Food packaging is designed to preserve and store contents while keeping products fresher, longer. Flexible packaging does even more, as it is great at achieving packaging goals and more eco-friendly than other forms of packaging because it takes less energy to produce — lowering CO2 emissions and their effect on the environment. Flexible packaging is also less expensive to produce than alternative packaging materials.
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Best of plastics: 3-D printing
Don Rosato EngineeringAlthough it's in its plastics industry end-use product infancy, 3-D printing is a disruptive, technology-driven innovation that will change the face of manufacturing in the coming years, provided additional plastic material development takes place.
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Do you know where your packages are?
Danielle Manley Distribution & WarehousingWith everyone moving to online shopping and home delivery, the retail and delivery industries are experiencing many changes. Some companies are testing different delivery options that will make them stand apart from the crowd; others are studying the delivery process to determine where they can improve.
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For the love of the city: Transforming a community by connecting people
Brie Ragland Construction & Building MaterialsArchitects and city planners tend to think of cities and towns in terms of form, functionality and safety. Does this space provide what it’s intended to provide? Does foot traffic adequately flow and allow convenience and ease of use?
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Best of plastics: Bioplastics
Don Rosato EngineeringBy way of an introduction definition, the term bioplastics is not limited to biodegradable or compostable plastics made from natural materials such as corn or starch. With its low cost and low toxicity, carbon dioxide is an attractive carbon feedstock for the synthesis of polymers.
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Global HFC agreement is historic, but now the work really starts
Andrew Gaved Facilities & GroundsLet me start by saying well done to all those from outside of Europe who were involved in the historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to phase down HFCs around the world. The choice of the word "monumental" by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was an apt one.
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