A new efficiency standard for natural gas furnaces has created an ongoing debate within the furnace manufacturing industry concerning increased costs and payback results for consumers. Several compromises have developed, though at this point the implementation of the rule is in question. A Freedonia analyst weighs in on what this means for the heating equipment market.

Trends focused on quick and easy meal preparation for home cooks have led to greater demand for food products that help to take the frustration out of the cooking process. This means that retailers are shrinking down meat packages and adding new lines of precooked and preseasoned products in convenient and ready-to-use formats that can be priced at a premium. A Freedonia analyst explains what this means for the packaging market.

The legal marijuana industry has been framed by many as a high-growth industry on its own, creating jobs and generating significant revenue. However, ongoing concerns with federal legality and corporate restrictions, coupled with significant theft concerns, have made it a complicated industry for security services. Learn more about how marijuana growers and dispensaries have created opportunities for the security services industry.

As baby boomers downsize their homes, their storage and organization needs will change. These lifestyle changes will influence many trends in the home organization market, including rising interest in products designed to maximize storage in under-used spaces and a preference toward stylish, high-value products meant to be stored in plain sight.

If there’s one thing that DIY wood coaters value above all else, it’s simplicity. For this reason, products that combine two functions, like stain-and-sealer and self-priming paints, will gain further popularity. Find out how these trends will influence the wood coating market in the US.

Rising consumer interest in insulated vinyl siding, increasingly stringent energy codes, and a changing construction labor market will boost sales of siding from distributors. A Freedonia analyst weighs in on the shifting market.

Several major pesticide adjuvant producers are using technological innovations to make their products more environmentally friendly. Find out about innovations at Huntsman, Clariant International, and Croda International.