While US motor vehicle production levels are basically unchanged from ten years ago, the use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites in motor vehicles has expanded by nearly 40 percent. Strategic alliances among FRP manufacturers, interest in lightweight vehicles, and other factors drive growth.

A Freedonia expert weighs in on trends in the US home remodeling market and what those trends mean for the markets for plumbing fixtures, flooring, cabinetry, windows and doors, and other building products.

The global automotive diesel engine industry has gotten a lot of bad press since 2015, when Volkswagen was caught cheating on emissions tests. However, the fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership of diesel vehicles will support their use for the foreseeable future. A Freedonia analyst weighs in on the future of diesel vehicles.

Owning a home was once the embodiment of the American Dream, but the Great Recession made buying a house a risky proposition, particularly for young people still trying to find their footing after college. Although the recession has long since ended, first-time mortgages among 29- to 34-year-olds remain low. And fewer first-time home buyers means fewer first-time homes -and fewer lawns to mow. Find out what this means for the market for power lawn and garden equipment

As competitors in the architectural paint market lost ground during the Great Recession, Valspar boldly revamped its branding, making it one of the most popular DIY paint brands in just a few years. However, sinking sales in 2015 and 2016 led market leader Sherwin-Williams to acquire the company. A Freedonia analyst explains what this means for the overall market.

In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the new Nutrition Facts label, including specific information on “added sugars.” In response to this change, as well as growing consumer concern, food and beverage producers have instituted sweeping programs to reduce sugar in their products, with rippling impacts in the alternative sweetener industry.

Weak demand for bromine-based flame retardants is generating new merger and acquisition activity. Concerns about the environmental risk associated with bromide flame retardant compounds have triggered regulatory and consumer backlash, while the ever-shrinking size of consumer electronics -- the leading outlet for brominated retardants -- limits volume demand growth. What do these shifts mean for the 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.

Although biopesticides account for just a fraction of the massive agricultural pesticide market, human health and environmental protection interests have boosted their use and encouraged new product innovations. Learn more about why biopesticides are used and how several new products fit into the overall market.

The manufactured housing industry makes up about one-tenth of new single-family housing in the US. In recent years, a competitive environment for new units has destabilized many small manufacturers. Consequently, the industry has become increasingly concentrated as small producers close or are acquired by larger manufacturers. A Freedonia analyst weighs in on recent industry restructuring.