5 Key Trends in 3D Printing Materials

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.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Manufacturing & Construction Industry Insights Heavy Industry

Industrial Gases: Important Trends to Watch in the Global Market

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.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights

Quick Facts & Statistics on the Agrochemicals Industry

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

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry

Investing in China? Fast Growth Predicted in the Chemical 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).

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights

Top Advanced Materials & Technologies in the Electronics Industry

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.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Computer Hardware & Networking Manufacturing & Construction Energy & Resources Industry Insights Heavy Industry

Oxygen in a Can: Why Recreational Oxygen Is Gaining Traction

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. 

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry

What Makes Superplasticizers Super?

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.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry The Freedonia Group

Water-Based Industrial Coatings: It’s Getting Easier Being Green

Watching paint dry? That’s boring. But knowing that as the paint dries, it’s water – not toxic chemicals – evaporating into the air? Now that’s exciting.

Water-Based vs. Solvent-Based Coatings

Water-based coatings, which employ water as their liquefying agent rather than chemical solvents, have made huge inroads worldwide over the past few decades. Consumers, professional painters, OEMs, as well as government regulators, have increasingly recognized the advantages of eco-friendly water-based paints, including low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, easy cleanup, and low odor.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry The Freedonia Group

Ashes to Ashes: Precast Concrete Adapts to a Changing Funeral Market

2015 marked a turning point for the US funeral and cemetery industry. For the first time, more Americans were cremated than buried underground.

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry The Freedonia Group

The Post-Election US Steel Industry

During the final two presidential debates of 2016, the candidates broadly discussed trade. In a brief exchange, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton asserted that the dumping of steel and steel products from China, Japan, and South Korea into US markets has damaged the domestic steel industry.

Now that he is the President-elect, Trump’s plans for the beginning of his presidential term include tenets that reflect these concerns, such as withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and working with the Secretary of Commerce to end unfair trade. 

Topics: Materials & Chemicals Industry Insights Heavy Industry The Freedonia Group