Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is banned in most, but not all applications in the US. One exception is automotive brake components, where asbestos-containing parts remain available, posting a danger to automotive mechanics. After decades of debate, new laws may finally eliminate asbestos-containing brake components.

Hydrocolloids are used in a wide variety of applications in the food and beverage industry, primarily as thickening or gelling agents. But many new applications for hydrocolloids are still being developed, including one that could alleviate the environmental impact of single-use bottle packaging.

America has long been a nation of snackers, with over 60% of the population filling out their three meals a day with a snack or two. However, as snack foods increasingly replace traditional meals, it means big business for not only packaged food producers, but also for suppliers of convenient and highly marketable packaging.

On January 1, 2017, Mexican consumers were faced with a gasolinazo, a hike in gasoline and diesel prices of up to 20% as the Mexican government rolled back its subsidy on fuel prices. This shift could have rippling impacts through the many other transportation markets, including the automotive aftermarket.

Barrier films go unnoticed by most consumers, though they are used myriad industries, from packaged foods, medical products, and even agriculture. The latest trends in barrier film production reveal a fast growing industry that is carving out space in a wide range of applications.

After a decades-long hiatus in major refinery construction in the US, two refineries in Texas are planned for completion in 2019, buoyed by investment in the Permian Basin. Find out what is driving these refinery construction plans and how they will impact the overall oil and gas industry.

Electric buses have made large gains in market share over conventional diesel and gasoline models over the past several years. Advances in range, speed, acceleration, and charging processes have made these gains possible. Learn more about these technological advances.

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.