The rise of eco-friendly initiatives has led to an increase in industrial products composed partly or entirely of recycled rubber, particularly in states with tire recycling requirements. Find out why manufacturers of these products have reasons to be optimistic about future growth, and which mitigating factors could impact this outlook.

The issue of American companies relocating production to Mexico has become a hot-button issue, with images of closed-up factories used as potent political symbols of a changing US economy. However, in the United States HVAC industry, imports from Mexico remain a small portion of the overall market, and "made in USA" predominates. A Freedonia analyst explains this polemical issue.

The Internet of Things is gaining traction in the power tools market. Digital connectivity can provide a variety of advantages, from theft deterrence to inventory management to improved tool performance. Find out how different manufacturers are implementing new technologies in power tools.

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.

Finding the right temperature that will make most people comfortable can be a difficult balancing act. However, the installation of VRF heat pumps enable separate rooms in a central system to have independent temperature control. Learn more about this technology and how it will impact the overall heat pump market.

Agricultural crops, such as corn or soybeans, are increasingly used in non-food applications, particularly among companies looking to up their sustainability cred with biodegradable or bio-based products. One such innovation is soy air filters, which use biodegradable soy protein and bacterial cellulose to filter particulate matter. Learn more about the future of these products.

On January 5, 2017, Sears announced that it would sell its famed Craftsman tools brand to Stanley Black & Decker. This deal reflects the shifting US retail market and perhaps also the decline of Sears. However, for Stanley Black & Decker, it marks a major opportunity to expand its already significant share of the US tool market and move into new retail channels.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) offers several advantages over other materials when used in gaskets and seals, including thermal insulation and stability in extreme temperatures. See how this material impacts the US gasket and seal market.

Major acquisition activity has made the global industrial fasteners market more concentrated among large suppliers. A large market share gives companies an advantage in product development and distribution, shaping the future of the market.