The past few years have seen quite a boom in merger and acquisition activity, particularly in the packaging market. For proof of this, look no further than the blockbuster August announcement that Amcor planned to acquire rival packaging firm Bemis in an all-stock transaction valued at nearly US$5.3 billion.

Boosted by an increase in single-family housing starts and the rising need for storm-resistant products, the demand for roofing in the U.S. is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% to reach $19.9 billion in 2021, according to a new white paper by The Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company.

The chemical industry will continue to undergo rapid change in the next decade. Chemical companies must adapt quickly to maintain a competitive edge, overcome challenges, and embrace new market opportunities.

This article describes three major chemical industry trends to watch in the coming years, based on studies published by MarketsandMarkets, a global market research firm.

3D printing has been identified as one of the major disruptive technologies of this century that has the potential to change manufacturing activities across various industries. 3D printing technologies can help companies differentiate their business and gain a powerful competitive advantage.

The global industrial gas market is benefiting from rising consumer demand for freshness in food products, according to a recent market research report. Health-conscious consumers are demanding fewer additives and safer and fresher food products, which increases the demand for industrial gases that can be used in place of chemical ingredients.

One of the latest trends involving agrochemicals is an increase in counterfeit pesticides. Fake pesticides are causing significant losses to the pesticides industry.

China offers many investment opportunities in the chemical sector. The country is expected to attract foreign investors in a variety of markets such as pesticides, rubbers and fibers, ethyl alcohol and plastic materials, according to the recently published Chemicals Market Global Report 2017 by The Business Research Company (TBRC).

The electronics industry is extremely dynamic as technologies, materials, and business models are continuously restructured to meet evolving consumer demand. The demand for miniaturized (i.e., smaller, lighter, and thinner electronics products), improved connectivity and computing power, faster data speeds, and most importantly, sustainability, is encouraging innovations in this industry.

Consumer oxygen is used by football players and movie stars. Professional athletes generally use supplemental recreational oxygen to help recover from stress in the body due to exertion.

The oxygen seems to help recovery, give more stamina, and provide an energy boost when needed. You see football players use it on the bench in between stints on the field. 

In concrete production, water and cement react to bind together fine aggregates (primarily sand) and coarse aggregates such as crushed stone or natural gravel. A relatively small amount of water is needed to initiate this chemical reaction (hydration) to transform the ingredients into concrete. 

However, additional water is often required to make the mix workable enough to be poured and finished, and the addition of too much extra water can decrease the strength of finished concrete. Reduced durability in concrete can lead to a premature need for repairs or replacement in the residential and nonresidential building sectors, as well as in such public projects as highways, streets, bridges, and dams.