Using emissions gases for scalable R&D
The emissions gases that are accelerating climate change can also be viewed in a different light. Rather than just damaging by-products, CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and other gases are now viable raw materials for fuel precursors, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), plastics and more.
The case for Carbon capture and storage (CCUS)
Fossil fuels have great advantages as energy sources and are hard to replace. The resilience of demand means that the only way even to come close to meeting the climate goals of the Paris Agreement may be by using carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) at scale.
Brand owners rely on contract services
The outlook is bright for contract services providers and their customers, according to Contract Packaging & Manufacturing: Drivers of Machinery Investments, a report published by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) and produced in conjunction with DDR/REACH.
The heat is on for refrigerants
The ability to cool products and people is an overlooked foundation to modern civilisation. The transport and storage of heat-sensitive products such as food and drugs would not be possible without the use of refrigeration systems which use a chemical fluid. Air conditioning is also a critical part of modern life in many countries.
Chemicals from CO2
The chemicals industry depends heavily on finite fossil fuel feedstocks and is responsible for 2% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. A new report, Carbon Dioxide Utilization 2025-2045: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players, explores how captured CO2 could be utilised as a feedstock for hundreds of different chemicals instead, providing an economic and environmental incentive to capture carbon dioxide and create a circular economy.
Biopesticides bridging the crop protection gaps
As the UK horticultural sector continues to evolve post-Brexit, the need for sustainable crop protection has never been more critical. Rising concerns over synthetic agrochemicals’ environmental and health impacts drive the industry to transition to greener alternatives.
Tackling skills and training
There’s an exodus of talent from the manufacturing sector, and organisations are struggling to replace people quickly enough to fill the gaps. Only a third (34%) of UK companies are regularly bringing in talented new hires, and a similar number have yet to establish relationships with educational institutions to build a needed pipeline of new staff.
Food traceability
An estimated 48m people are affected by foodborne illnesses in the US alone every year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalisations and 3000 deaths [1]. These shocking figures pose a significant public health burden – but they could be prevented with appropriate traceability measures.
Lean R&D benefits
Manufacturing processes focused on maximising value while minimising waste are the key to maintaining business competitiveness. Modern Lean Manufacturing focuses on streamlining production processes, reducing waste, time, and labour, and ensuring consistent quality in a repeatable environment. It emphasises standardised workflows, just-in-time production and minimising variability in output.
Booming market for sulfone polymers
Mega trends that will continue to drive sulfone polymer consumption include, but are not limited to, a sustained and increased penetration of sulfone polymers in aircraft and automobiles, supported by ongoing efforts in reducing weight to improve fuel efficiency and meet CO2 emission standards.